During a BLS class, expect hands-on experience with adult and infant dummies to learn resuscitation techniques. Start with adult to child rescue breathing, then adult to child CPR with AED with 1-2 rescuers. Learning to work as a team is important during a rescue attempt with children or an adult during emergencies. Instructors provide a safe and clean environment with plastic, germ-free mouth guards for the dummies during practice.
Anyone can choke, so learning the Heimlich maneuver is critical during class. Practice on dummies to give an adult and child relief from choking and learn the basic bag-mask techniques. Learn to distinguish different sizes of masks for adults, children and infants. Bag like an expert by administering the right amount of pressure and air into small or larger lungs.
Infants are more fragile and their respiratory systems can't take too much stress. Learn infant breathing techniques when administering CPR. During a choking incident, manipulating the infant's body from front to back is a skill achieved through practice on dummies. When using a bag-mask technique, very little air must be pushed into the infant's lungs.
One of the most important new features of the BLS course is the AED. An automatic external defibrillator is a compact, life-saving device that can analyze heart rhythm during an emergency. This computerized defibrillator talks the student through the process of connecting, then defibrillating the heart of an adult or child. The AED will analyze the pattern of the heart and recommend treatment. The AED device can be found in restaurants, ships, hospitals, amusement parks and areas of high traffic by the public. If someone works in these environments, chances are they've taken a BLS course to safely administer this life-saving device during an emergency.
Luckily, many cities have multiple sites that will teach CPR and BLS courses. Check the AMA (American Heart Association) first to find a training center. The AMA has the latest equipment, highly trained instructors and many classes to fit a busy schedule. Most hospitals across the US won't accept any healthcare worker's certification for BLS, unless the course is taken at the AMA training center. Go to heart.org for information about how to sign up for a BLS course. If an online course is of interest, go to emergencycourses.com for an American Heart Association approved online course.