Saying goodbye to CPR Level HCP and saying hello to BLS!

While 2019 promises to be filled with many exciting developments, we start the year off with saying goodbye to the legacy CPR Level HCP Course.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is not something that is exactly new, but to those that operate outside of a hospital, it is a bit of a change, and for those who operate inside of the hospital, it is something that we are proud to offer through the Canadian Red Cross.  Essentially, the legacy CPR HCP course included CPR Level A or C content, then added the skills required for HCP certification. In the BLS course, skills are fully integrated throughout, and do not build on CPR Level A or C content.  BLS is a skills-focused professional resuscitation course, and not a first aid-based CPR course.

BLS can be offered as a standalone course, and at just 4 hours, covers a lot of content. With topics including, Primary Assessment, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), AED, Airway Obstruction, Assisted Ventilation, High-Performance CPR and Basic Life Support special considerations this is a course that caters to those dedicated to working in the health care field.

BLS courses can be coupled with Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy Courses.  Additional topics including, Opening the mouth, Cross finger technique, Tongue-jaw lift, Airway adjuncts – insertion and removal, Oropharyngeal (OPA) airways, Nasopharyngeal (NPA) airways, Supraglottic airways (Awareness only), Suction, Pulse oximetry, Supplemental oxygen, Oxygen cylinders, Oxygen regulators, Oxygen delivery devices, and Administering oxygen.

BLS Courses can also be coupled with traditional Standard First Aid.  This variety of course offering should make for a smooth transition from HCP to BLS.  If you had certification in CPR/AED Level HCP, you would now be looking at a BLS Course.  Valid HCP Certificates will be honoured as such and are eligible for a BLS Recert.  Likewise for those who had certification in Standard First Aid and CPE/AED Level HCP, you would now be looking for certification in Standard First Aid and BLS with valid certificates again being eligible for a recert.

For a full breakdown of the differences between the two course check out the chart here.

Comparison Chart: HCP to BLS

We are well equipped and fully prepared to provide for all of your training needs in BLS, Airway Management and Oxygen therapy and are happy to assist you through this transition from CPR Level HCP.

Stay safe,

-Ben

The Importance of early Defibrillation.

For a long time we have known the importance of using AED’s in situations of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, or SCA.

Science is making great progression in understanding the timing as to when these devices are best used.  However, the simple fact remains, that for bystanders, or the average first aider, the sooner the AED can be placed and a shock delivered, the better!  Recently at the Emergency Care Conference in Toronto, some of the leading experts in the field of emergency response and the science of saving lives, came together to discuss, just how we can be better.  While it may not make sense fiscally to have an AED on every corner, the more we can have out there, the better the chance that it will be used to save a life.  Here is a great video about just how amazing a difference these devices can have.  The combination of someone being trained and comfortable in using an AED, and willing to use those skills when the situation arises, we can all help save lives.  Let’s make more stories like Anna’s.

Compression-Only CPR

I would like to re-introduce one of my favorite videos for teaching the various techniques that accompany CPR.  This technique is quite simple in theory; the First Aider gives compressions, in the right location, at the right pace, at the right time, and doesn’t stop until more professional help arrives.
This video comes to us in thanks to The British Heart Foundation.  While some of the information is more specific to our friends across the pond, in the United Kingdom.  The skill set is the exact same.  If you should find someone who is unresponsive and not breathing, Call EMS 9-1-1, and start compressions, pushing at least 2 inches down on an adult chest.  Pushing on the centre of the chest, approximately on the armpit line.  Your compressions should be done to the rate of 100 per minute, or as the video shows, to the infamous Bee Gee’s song, “Stayin’ Alive”.