Out of the many life-saving courses, the BLS course format is comprehensive and simple. You can learn many things from this one course and save the lives of the people around you. You can even take an advanced course after completing this one to upskill further. The course not only looks good on your resume but helps you in real-life emergencies as well. However, before starting a life-saving course, you must know its format and teachings. This blog discusses the teaching of a BLS course along with its most basic format. You will also learn about the course’s practical components and their importance.
What’s Covered in a BLS Course Format?
Life-saving courses assist lay responders in saving lives. A basic life-saving course (BLS) typically covers the following topics:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): CPR is a crucial technique in life-saving. It works with chest compressions and rescue breaths. The idea is to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body when a person is unconscious.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs):AEDs deliver a calculated electric shock to the heart. This machine can help restore a normal heart rhythm.
Choking: Choking is an airway blockage that can prevent a person from breathing. BLS teaches how to recognize choking and perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the blockage.
First Aid: First aid is the primary, out-of-hospital care given to someone who is injured or ill. BLS teaches how to recognize and treat common first-aid emergencies like cuts, scrapes, and burns.
The Chain of Survival: The chain of survival is a model that describes the steps needed to save a life from cardiac arrest. BLS teaches the importance of each link in the chain of survival. It includes the early recognition of cardiac arrest. You also learn about early defibrillation and advanced life support.
Navigating through the Online BLS Class Format
Every online BLS class format follows a similar pattern. There may be some variation, depending on the provider. The format typically includes the following:
Introduction: The introduction is usually the first page and provides an overview of the course. It usually covers the topics that will be covered. Some formats also have the details of every chapter in the introduction.
Videos: Videos are used to demonstrate the skills that are being taught. An instructor typically narrates the videos and may include animations or other visuals to help explain the concepts.
Interactive Exercises: Interactive exercises allow students to practice their theory. These exercises may include drag-and-drop activities, multiple-choice questions, or simulations.
Quizzes: Quizzes are used to assess students’ understanding of the material. The quizzes may be multiple-choice, true/false, or fill-in-the-blank.
Final Exam: The final exam assesses students’ mastery of the material. The final exam may be multiple-choice or true/false. Sometimes it can also be fill-in-the-blank or a combination of formats. The BLS course format of a recognized platform requires an exam before granting certification.
Practical Components of BLS Online Training
You should practice the skill in a simulated environment. Through this method, you can develop the confidence to perform them effectively in an emergency. The practical components of BLS online training typically include the following:
Videos are used to demonstrate the skills being taught. An instructor typically narrates the videos and may include animations or other visuals to help explain the concepts.
Interactive exercises allow students to practice the skills that they have learned. These exercises may include drag-and-drop activities, multiple-choice questions, or simulations.
Simulated scenarios allow students to practice the skills in a realistic setting. The scenarios may be presented as videos, animations, or text-based scenarios. The makers try to create scenarios that are as realistic as possible.
Skills check-offs assess students’ ability to perform the skills they have learned. The check-offs may be conducted by an instructor or by a peer.
Here are some additional tips for mastering the practical components of BLS online training:
Practice Regularly: By practicing your skills regularly, your brain will imbibe them. The practice also ensures you can use your skills under pressure.
Ask for Feedback: Ask your instructor or a classmate to watch you practice and provide feedback. Through constructive criticism, you can also identify improvement areas for the exam.
Be Patient: It takes time and practice to master the skills of CPR and first aid.
Conclusion
An online BLS class format is easy to understand. It follows the basic pattern of textbook formats and add-ons like videos, simulated exercises, and online exams. Educational platforms can also introduce live sessions and student interaction webinars. It can help to make a BLS course format more attractive. The American CPR Care Academy has a comprehensive course on BLS. As it is a recognized institute, you receive a valid certification upon completing the course. So, log onto the ACCA website today and enroll in your course.
