Despite how critical the first few moments of an emergency can be, many people don’t know how to perform the basics of CPR and other forms of first aid. Understanding first aid training and going to CPR classes can even become a life-or-death difference; if a bystander does not perform CPR, the survival chances of a victim will decrease 7% in every single minute of delay. If you do attend a basic life support class, what skills will you learn? Here are just a few staples of every high-quality BLS class that will help you save lives.
One of the most important parts of quickly responding to an emergency situation is knowing how to help until medical assistance arrives. CPR training and certification can be crucial in stabilizing victims, as keeping oxygen in the blood and brain drastically increases the chances of survival. CPR certification is a key element of most basic life support classes and is one of the most important first-aid techniques to learn during training.
In cases where a victim’s heart stops or a pulse can’t be found, you may end up needing to use an AED to provide emergency assistance. Not every site of an emergency will have an AED accessible, but knowing how to use one when it’s needed dramatically improves the odds of neurological survival of the victim. Not everyone has this training, meaning it can be even more valuable in an emergency situation.
One of the first and most important things you’ll learn in a good basic life support class is how to be a helpful bystander. The bystander effect, in which everyone in a group expects someone else to take action, can be a serious problem in an emergency. Knowing how to be an active help rather than just a bystander will help you protect victims in emergencies, even without other medical knowledge.
Attending the right basic life support class can help you be prepared for emergencies and even potentially save lives. For more information on BLS classes or to learn about basic first aid and bystander training, contact Code 3 Safety today.