Five Smart Things to Know About Basic Life Support

Are you ready to be a superhero? Then check out basic life support (BLS), a level of medical care given to individuals with life-threatening illness or injury until full medical care is available. Focused on protecting and maintaining an airway, facilitating breathing and assisting with circulation, BLS saves lives. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, or “first responder”, seeking BLS certification, or an individual in another profession with a need to be prepared for emergencies, here are some basic facts you should know about providing basic life support.

You don’t have to be a healthcare professional to become certified in BLS.
Yes, the BLS online course is designed for healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, physician's assistants, residents or fellows, medical or nursing students in training, aides, medical or nursing assistants, and other allied health personnel. However, it can also be a valuable tool for people in many other professions, such as daycare providers, recreation professionals, teachers and security personnel. The reality is – the ability to save a life is a pretty great skill for anyone to have.
BLS is generally used before people arrive at the hospital, and can be provided without medical equipment.
BLS is a level of medical care given to people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until full medical care is available. It can be provided by anyone who has received training to provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking.
BLS saves lives.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) more than double a victim’s chance of survival. In fact, early defibrillation with CPR is the only way to restore the victim’s heart rhythm to normal. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease by seven to 10 percent.
BLS practices are evidence-based.
The practices taught in BLS certification are based on scientific research and the results or “evidence” of that research. Specifically, the information you learn in your BLS course is drawn from The 2005 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR). Updated every five years, CoSTR is published by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), a global organization comprised of eight international resuscitation organizations, including the American Heart Association (AHA). The guidelines practiced in BLS represent the scientific consensus of experts from a variety of countries, cultures and disciplines, and are based on scientific evidence from relevant, peer-reviewed journals. The guidelines will be updated in 2025 when the new science is released.
BLS is different for adults and children.
Adults and children require different approaches to BLS – an important consideration, because using adult BLS practices on a child or infant could actually cause serious damage.

Learn more about the Health Ed Solutions BLS online course.

The information included in this article is based on the 2020 guidelines for CPR, first aid and advanced cardiovascular care. Read more about how the 2020 guidelines impact BLS classes.