This infographic titled “Who Needs BLS Training” illustrates the meaning of BLS and who can benefit from it. The graphic is divided in three parts that explain what BLS means, what the training involves and people who are required to train.
What is BLS?
Short for Basic Life Support, BLS is professional level CPR. It is used for victims of life-threatening illnesses until more advanced medical care arrives. It is mainly used to maintain CAB (circulation, airway and breathing) with or without the AED. BLS needs more technical knowledge than CPR. It is a more detailed training program. It is also more effective and wide-ranging in terms of emergencies it can address.
What is BLS training?
BLS training is used to provide emergency assistance to a patient of life-threatening illnesses. Unlike CPR, trainees are made to tackle stimulated medical emergencies, such as stroke, fainting, acute asthma, open abdominal wounds, internal bleeding, breathing problems etc.
Who needs BLS training?
As a life-saving skill, BLS training is beneficial for everyone. For some professionals it is a mandatory requirement, especially emergency or medical aid professionals. This includes doctors, nurses, medical assistants, firefighters, police officials, childcare providers, nannies, and school bus drivers.
These can be broadly divided in three categories:
Medical personnel: This includes doctors, nurses and other medics. Since emergencies are most likely to occur within a hospital, this training is essential.
Emergency personnel: Under this category come firefighters, paramedics, and even police officials. As people who often deal with emergency situations, they must be trained to provide assistance till proper medical aid can be provided.
Childcare personnel: People in-charge of small children — such as nannies, childcare providers and bus drivers — come under this category. Such professionals are required to learn BLS so that children under their charge have a better chance of survival in an emergency.
For more details, please refer to the attached infographic.
