Training in Basic Life Support is an important part of a career in health care, especially if you are a professional (e.g. a nurse). Red Deer First Aid is one of the best training providers in Canada, offering students a chance to enroll in high quality CPR programs at very affordable rates. Signing up is as easy as using the form below; no more downloads needed, just fill up the form and click submit.
You can reach us via e-mail and telephone call; the latter is only available during opening hours. You can also visit us during opening hours and get a free tour of our building. You may even get to sit in to a lecture in progress!
Your BLS Credential
Basic Life Support training credentials have the same period of validity as our advanced CPR credentials. They need to be renewed every three years. Technically speaking, when certificates expire, they cannot be “renewed”. Instead, if you have previously taken Basic Life Support training, you do not have to take it again; you just need to take the shorter BLS re-certification program and pass another certification exam. After passing another set of exams, you will be awarded a new certificate that is valid for another three years.
Basic CPR Training at Red Deer First Aid
What exactly do you learn in basic CPR training? A basic program focuses on three basic skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation:
- Chest compressions
- Ventilations / Rescue breaths
- Automated defibrillation
Specifically, a BLS program will prepare you to manage cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary emergencies outside of an organized medical setting. Most likely, equipment and medication will not be available in a public place – that means the most a trained rescuer can do is perform the first two skills – compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilations.
Basic Skills in CPR
When giving chest compressions to adults, two hands are used with fingers interlaced. The heel of the hand on the bottom is placed on the sternum, in the space between the nipples. A rescuer gives thirty compressions followed by two rescue breaths – this makes up one cycle. Rescue breaths are given either mouth to mouth or with a bag valve mask. Bag valve masks are sealed over Cycles are continuously repeated until the patient stabilizes or medical help arrives.
During and After Cardiac Arrest
One of the most important concepts we teach students how to recognize cardiac arrest or a cardiorespiratory emergency. Cardiac arrest is colloquially known as a heart attack, and is characterized by a lack of pulse, irregular or absent breathing, and loss of consciousness. When a person becomes stabilized after CPR, he or she will manifest a palpable pulse and regular breathing.
After a patient has stabilized, position him or her in the recovery position. Do this by turning the patient to his side, with one arm under the head supporting it and one knee bent. This position promotes adequate respiration and circulation.
Sign up for a Basic Life Support program and get certified within the week!