The average American dies every 34 seconds from heart disease, mainly from lack of oxygen due to delayed emergency medical assistance. Thankfully, the death rate can be lowered simply by increasing literacy in basic survival techniques. Learning essential life support will prepare you to act quickly in an emergency. Besides, someone’s life may depend on your prompt assistance.

That’s why BLS instruction must be mandated in classrooms nationwide. It prepares kids to deal with a variety of potentially fatal situations. It helps individuals be ready to act rationally in the face of emergency circumstances. They practice giving high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and correct ventilation techniques. Among the many advantages of BLS training is the information gained on how to manage a foreign-body blockage.

But how do we implement BLS training in classrooms? The good news is that this article provides an overview of Basic Life Support (BLS), what it entails, and how to conduct it.

Understanding Basic Life Support (BLS)

In a severe medical crisis, Basic Life Support (BLS) is the minimum standard of treatment that should be administered until medical professionals, or a hospital can take over. This technique can save the lives of those choking, drowning, or experiencing cardiac arrest.

Basic life support has four key features:

  • Fast emergency cardiovascular treatment
  • Rescue breathing
  • Chest compressions (CPR)
  • Early defibrillation or use of AEDs

If the patient cannot breathe, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) seems counterproductive. Hence, sophisticated airway management is a part of basic life support.

All these features aim to restore normal breathing in adults and children as soon as possible (with the head tilt-chin lift maneuver). They can be performed by a doctor or nurse in a hospital, an EMS worker, or a trained bystander outside of a hospital.

Also, teachers, health and social workers, childcare providers, and even security guards can all benefit significantly from having first aid training in addition to those in the emergency services.

BLS Algorithm and the Necessary Procedures for Maintaining Life?

In cases where CPR and other forms of basic life support may be necessary, the BLS Algorithm outlines a series of actions to be taken.

It’s an excellent way for those who work in first aid to gauge how well they’d do in an emergency. Having BLS training is essential since emergencies that necessitate it frequently include more than one victim. Besides, first aid can’t be given if the person administering it is likewise in danger of being hurt.

Therefore, it’s important to remember the DRSABCD acronym before attempting any basic life-saving techniques.

Danger

Before rushing in to render first aid, it is crucial to gauge the severity of the situation. In other words, you should wait until the external issue is settled before intervening.

Response

Once you’ve been activated, it’s time to assess the state of your patient. This involves asking someone if they’re okay by patting them firmly on the shoulders. If the patient is unresponsive or unconscious, the BLS assessment should continue.

Send for or Alert the Medical Staff

Suppose you realize you need medical assistance but lack the necessary training or equipment. In that case, it is advisable to have someone else call for professional help. Meanwhile, you can perform CPR to boost the patient’s prognosis or chances of survival.

Airway

Suppose your patient suffered cardiac arrest due to an accident. In that case, you should look for cervical spinal fracture and debris evidence. Individuals who have an obstructed airway will not respond well to rescue breathing. Besides, if the carotid artery is blocked, it will be impossible to assess blood flow.

Image alt text: a group of combat officers doing BLS training in the field.

Author credit: By Staff Sgt. Carlos Davis – https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1618727, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39840807

Breathing

When a person is not breathing, that is the primary indicator that CPR needs to be started immediately. If the patient stops breathing and there is no movement in the chest, you should examine the victim’s airway.

Having difficulty breathing or stopping breathing altogether is a significant cause of death caused by blocked airways.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Rescue breathing

If you examine the patient’s pulse and detect no activity in the carotid artery, you must begin CPR immediately. If the victim still isn’t breathing after you’ve cleared their throat, you need to act fast.

Above the sternum, you should perform effective chest compressions. Full chest recoil should be combined with a constant chest compression rate to achieve optimum results. The next step is administering rescue breaths until you detect a heartbeat or see the victim breathing again.

Defibrillation

Suppose all other options have been explored and CPR has been performed correctly. In that case, providing care similar to that provided in an emergency hospital is necessary.

Because an AED (which incorporates CPR) will be used by emergency personnel to restore the patient’s pulse, BLS shifts its focus from the mouth to the heart. Once you stabilize the patient, especially in a recovery position, you can get them to the hospital.

How Does the BLS Algorithm Work, and What Does It Consist Of?

In this section, we will review the BLS formula’s fundamental building blocks. This mixture allows medical professionals and first aid workers to perform life-saving procedures efficiently.

Effective Recognition and Response to Cardiac Arrest

The ability to respond rapidly to a cardiac arrest victim depends on knowing the indicators. Symptoms include sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, and cessation of breathing.

Emergency personnel must ensure the patient’s mouth and airway are apparent if they suspect an accident caused their condition.

Confirm if the victim is showing signs of being alive

Consciousness and vital signs should be checked on the sufferer immediately. Checking their eyes, pulse, and breathing while tapping their shoulders firmly and shouting is all part of this procedure.

Immediately Requesting Medical Help

Suppose they encountered a person having a cardiac arrest while in public schools; teachers and students should call for an ambulance. The school may not have access to essential medical equipment like workstations and automated external defibrillators (AED).

Onlookers often gather around during a medical emergency to watch the unfolding drama. Hence, some degree of crowd management will also be required.

Immediate and Efficient Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPR gives a patient high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths into the victim’s airway until their breathing is restored.

Consider a scenario in which you conduct lifesaving measures, such as CPR, on a bleeding or unclean patient. In this situation, rescue breathing should only be performed if you have a blocking gear to prevent your lips from coming into contact with theirs.

Early Defibrillation

If the combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths does not work, BLS moves on to defibrillation.

To do this, an automated external defibrillator (AED) must be fastened to the patient’s chest. If the patient’s pulse still isn’t picking up after performing CPR, follow the machine’s instructions and give them a shock.

An AED is preferable to a standard defibrillator because it enables you to continue CPR (chest compressions plus rescue breathing) between shocks without having to unhook the device.

BLS Training and Its Significance for Educators and Learners

Both instructors and pupils should receive BLS training.

BLS training allows educators to acquire and hone potentially life-saving knowledge and abilities. That way, they learn to act fast in case of an emergency. Teachers need this talent because they interact with students every day. This training will better equip them to handle any medical emergencies during the school year. The training helps them become better equipped to help their kids.

Students learn the value of being prepared for emergencies through BLS instruction. It teaches them how to respond in an emergency and save a life. They will be more prepared to identify dangerous situations and take appropriate action. Also, it helps kids learn to take responsibility for their actions.

Why must young people learn how to perform basic life support?

Students frequently partake in dangerous activities while in school. They take on challenging jobs and engage in risky sports. The necessity for even the most basic life support systems is always present in such settings.

Young people with these abilities will be better prepared to act rapidly in an emergency. Before medical aid arrives, this can help keep you going. As a result, it can avert potentially fatal circumstances.

Young people benefit significantly from learning CPR and other lifesaving techniques, such as those taught in BLS classes. They will be more comfortable and willing to do BLS as a result. Their confidence and sense of competence will both increase by learning. Practical BLS skills are easier to remember if taught at a young age, and this training has a lasting impact.

Also, bystander CPR rates are increased through BLS training. Hence, a person experiencing cardiac arrest has a better chance of surviving. The American Heart Association (AHA) even suggests including CPR and other lifesaving techniques in required coursework.

Conclusion

Children are naturally eager to learn new things and have a short learning curve; thus, teaching them basic life support techniques is essential. Similar lessons taught in schools would have a more significant effect on community health. The things you learn as a child indeed stick with you forever. As a result, now is the perfect time to instill BLS training and awareness.

Learning the fundamentals of survival will also teach kids to value their protection. If they are well-informed, they will be self-assured to act rationally in dangerous situations.