BLS Course

Lesson 1 • Anatomy of Cardiac and Respiratory Arrest

Explains physiological changes during cardiac and respiratory arrest. Provides the biological rationale for every BLS intervention taught in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Legal and Ethical Considerations

Addresses consent, duty to act, and Good Samaritan protections for rescuers. Prepares learners to act confidently within ethical and legal boundaries.

Lesson 3 • Scene Safety and Initial Assessment

Covers hazard identification before patient contact and rapid victim assessment. Ensures rescuers protect themselves while gathering critical clinical information.

Lesson 1 • Positioning the Rescuer and Victim

Teaches correct body mechanics for the rescuer and optimal victim positioning. Proper setup prevents fatigue and maximises compression effectiveness.

Lesson 2 • Integrating Compressions and Ventilations

Combines compression and ventilation skills into a continuous CPR cycle. Smooth integration reduces pauses and maintains perfusion pressure.

Lesson 3 • High-Quality Chest Compressions

Defines rate, depth, recoil, and interruption limits for adult compressions. These parameters directly determine survival outcomes and underpin all CPR practice.

Lesson 4 • Airway Opening Techniques

Covers head-tilt–chin-lift and jaw-thrust manoeuvres for airway patency. Selecting the correct technique depends on suspected spinal injury status.

Lesson 1 • AED Components and Readiness

Identifies AED parts, indicator lights, and routine readiness checks. Familiarity with the device eliminates hesitation during an actual emergency.

Lesson 2 • How Defibrillation Restores Rhythm

Explains ventricular fibrillation, shockable rhythms, and the electrical mechanism of defibrillation. This foundation justifies rapid AED deployment in cardiac arrest.

Lesson 3 • Electrode Pad Placement

Teaches standard and alternative pad positions for adults and special populations. Correct placement ensures effective energy delivery through the myocardium.

Lesson 4 • Delivering a Safe Shock

Covers clearing the victim, analysing rhythm, and pressing the shock button. Safety protocols prevent accidental injury to bystanders and rescuers.

Lesson 1 • Infant CPR Technique

Teaches two-finger and two-thumb encircling methods for infants under one year. Encircling technique is preferred for two-rescuer scenarios to maximise compression quality.

Lesson 2 • AED Use on Paediatric Victims

Applies paediatric pad and energy settings to children under eight years and under 55 pounds. Correct energy dosing prevents myocardial damage while terminating arrhythmia.

Lesson 3 • Paediatric Anatomy and Arrest Causes

Highlights key anatomical differences and the predominance of respiratory arrest in children. Understanding aetiology guides the rescuer to prioritise ventilation in paediatric cases.

Lesson 4 • Paediatric Rescue Breathing

Covers mouth-to-mouth-and-nose technique and appropriate breath volume for small victims. Avoiding over-inflation prevents lung injury and gastric distension in infants.

Lesson 1 • Special Populations and Circumstances

Adapts obstruction relief for pregnant, obese, and self-rescuing victims. Chest thrusts replace abdominal thrusts when the abdomen cannot be encircled.

Lesson 2 • Obstruction Relief for Infants

Covers alternating back blows and chest thrusts for infants under one year. Abdominal thrusts are contraindicated in infants due to organ vulnerability.

Lesson 3 • Obstruction Relief for Unconscious Victims

Transitions from standing thrusts to supine abdominal thrusts and mouth sweeps when the victim loses consciousness. Integrates obstruction relief with CPR initiation.

Lesson 4 • Recognising Airway Obstruction Severity

Distinguishes mild from severe obstruction using universal choking signs and victim behaviour. Accurate recognition determines whether intervention is immediately required.

Lesson 1 • Integrating AED into Team CPR

Assigns AED operation to a third rescuer while compressions continue uninterrupted. Parallel task execution shortens time to first shock and improves outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Switching Compressors Without Interruption

Teaches the verbal cue system and physical handoff for rotating compressors every two minutes. Timely rotation maintains compression quality as rescuer fatigue accumulates.

Lesson 3 • Roles in a Two-Rescuer Team

Defines compressor and ventilator roles and their simultaneous responsibilities. Clear role assignment prevents duplication of effort and gaps in care.

Lesson 4 • Closed-Loop Communication in Resuscitation

Applies read-back and call-out techniques to reduce errors during high-stress resuscitation. Structured communication ensures every order is confirmed and executed correctly.

Lesson 1 • Two-Rescuer Adult Arrest Scenario

Evaluates team coordination, role clarity, and communication during a full adult arrest. Observers use structured checklists to provide objective performance feedback.

Lesson 2 • Scenario Design and Learning Objectives

Explains how simulation scenarios are structured to replicate real emergencies. Learners understand evaluation criteria before performing integrated skill stations.

Lesson 3 • Debriefing and Performance Improvement

Structures post-scenario debriefing to convert performance data into skill improvement. Effective debriefing closes the gap between observed and required performance.

Lesson 4 • Single-Rescuer Adult Arrest Scenario

Runs a timed scenario requiring scene safety, CPR, and AED use by one rescuer. Performance gaps identified here guide targeted remediation before team scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Building a Workplace BLS Culture

Guides learners to advocate for AED placement, team training, and response drills at their workplace. Organisational readiness multiplies the impact of individual BLS competency.

Lesson 2 • Skills Testing Stations and Criteria

Outlines each practical skills station, evaluator expectations, and critical performance criteria. Knowing exact criteria allows targeted practice before the formal evaluation.

Lesson 3 • Recertification and Skill Decay

Explains evidence on CPR skill decay and the rationale for biennial recertification cycles. Frequent low-dose practice between certifications sustains performance above threshold.

Lesson 4 • Remediation Pathways

Provides structured remediation options for learners who do not pass on the first attempt. Targeted practice on specific deficiencies is more effective than full course repetition.