When a person experiences cardiac arrest, respiratory distress or an obstructed airway, it’s vital that basic life support is provided right away. Basic Life Support, or BLS for short, refers to the type of care that first-responders, healthcare providers and public safety professionals provide to save lives.
A solid understanding of Basic Life Support enables a person to grasp skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use automated external defibrillators (AED) and relieve airway obstructions in people of all ages.
In a Basic Life Support Course, we cover the following:
- 1-rescuer / 2-rescuer CPR
- High-quality chest compressions
- Multi-rescuer, high performance team CPR
- Adult, Child and Infant CPR and relief of choking
- Use of an AED
- Effective ventilations using a barrier device or bag-mask device
Just how important is it to learn basic life support?
If we’re really being honest, it’s a silly question and it’s a requirement for most health care related positions. Could there be anything more important than knowing how to save a life in the event of a dire situation? At SOS First Aid, we offer a Basic Life Support (BLS) course in Oakville, Ontario that covers all CPR Level BLS skills. It also offers two-rescuer Adult/Child/Baby CPR and use of a Bag-Valve-Mask training. The course is best suited for healthcare providers, such as physicians, nurses, paramedics. It is also ideal for Allied Healthcare Providers such as physical therapists (PT), occupational therapists (OT) and recreational therapists (RT).
Believe it or not, the skills taught in our Basic Life Support (BLS) course have actually helped to save a life during an actual training session! We once had a participant who expressed that she wasn’t feeling well. Almost immediately, she dropped to the ground and went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, she was in the right place at the right time. Our instructors began to provide care while they waited for EMS to arrive. We were thrilled to learn that she survived.
Who requires basic life support training?
Our course is tailored to train responders who provide care to patients whether they are in a pre-hospital or in-facility setting. Lasting between four and six hours, our Basic Life Support program covers all CPR and choking techniques for adults, children and infants. It also teaches two-rescuer adult, child and baby CPR at either the Healthcare Provider (HCP) or BLS level. In addition, participants earn Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications.
Below are list of job/careers that typically require BLS Training:
- Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs)
- Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- Physicians and Surgeons
- Respiratory Therapists
- Firefighters and Paramedics
- Dentists and Dental Hygienists
- Medical Laboratory Technicians
- Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
- Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors
- Certain workplace first aid responders, depending on the workplace’s risk assessment and regulatory requirements.
The course also teaches how to use a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM), how to be prepared for circulatory emergencies and how to work within a team healthcare environment. As a Canadian Red Cross Training, SOS First Aid has instructors that are fully qualified to teach BLS and Standard First Aid & CPR BLS. Our programs are WSIB approved and meet standards established by the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Where in Oakville can you learn Basic Life Support?
SOS First Aid provides training sessions at three convenient class locations. The first is at The Meeting House, which is located at 2700 Bristol Circle. The second is at Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre at 2200 Sawgrass Drive. The third is our newest location at 700 Dorval Drive, Unit 115. Our fully qualified training professionals provide a safe, clean, comfortable and engaging environment. That way, participants always get the most out of their training sessions.
SOS First Aid has proudly been part of the Oakville community for 20 years. We love the city and feel strongly about helping its residents feel safe and secure. For more information about the Basic Life Support (BLS) course offered in Oakville, please don’t hesitate to call us at 905-844-9813. You may also email us at [email protected].
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