BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

Basic Life Support (BLS) deals with medical emergencies while First Aid normally focuses on injuries. However, an injury can deteriorate to necessitate Basic Life Support.

CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) is a part of Basic Life Support. Therefore, BLS is advanced and is done by healthcare professionals.

First Aid and BLS cannot be separated. For example: if one bleeds excessively to an extent of losing consciousness (shock), BLS comes into play. In general BLS is part and parcel of First Aid.

 

First Aid is first help given to a personwith minor or major injuries/illness while awaiting medical attention. It is done to prevent deterioration

 

BLS includes:

1. An initial assessment

2. Airway maintenance

3. CPR

 

The average person doesn't have the medical knowledge necessary to assess a "patient's" condition or do airway maintenance, which is why BLS is geared towards medical professionals or people with pre-existing medical knowledge.

 

At THTC we offer Basic Life Support training aligned to standards set by the American Hearth Association.

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