Basic and advanced life support training is a must for anyone. CPR is an essential BLS skill provided in the treatment of the cardiac arrest patient. Bystander CPR with rapid defibrillation improves outcomes dramatically and really does save lives. Most students taking CPR classes are doing so for an employment or academic need, but the training really applies to anyone who wants to be prepared in the event of a medical emergency. When deciding on which course to take,you want to ensure that it is an accredited certification and that it will be accepted by your employer or school.
Accredited programs include:
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
American Safety and Health Institute
Keep in mind that a school, hospital and different types of educational organization can require “specific certification” as long as it is a private entity. This means that if they want their staff to possess AHA certification then that is what the staff needs to maintain. Unfortunately not all organizations are clear about what their policies are regarding BLS, ACLS, and First Aid certification. Unfortunately, the results of taking the wrong class can include suspension, lost pay from the suspension, and lost pay from having to take the same class again. Keep in mind that it is NOT the responsibility of the organization doing the training to know what your individual certification needs are. Students attending these certification courses are expected to understand what is required of them PRIOR to attending a course. It can save you a lot of trouble by first researching and clarifying what CPR First Aid or ACLS PALS class you need prior to selecting a training center.
In addition, it is important to remember that these are emergency care courses. Those who have a good base of EMS experience or been through paramedic training comprehend a little better then perhaps a LVN working in assisted living. Emergency care is a specific branch of medical care. Depending on your background, these courses can be challenging or rather easy to understand. In order to get the most out of your training you will want to determine your own level of experience with the subject matter and prepare yourself accordingly.
If necessary, you may want to spend a little time preparing for the ALS classes like advanced cardiac life support or pediatric advanced life support. Rhythm recognition is one of the most commonly feared areas when taking these advanced level courses. You can effectively prepare by simply reviewing ECG related rhythms prior to taking the course. This would include V-Fib, V-Tach, Heart Blocks, Tachycardias and Bradycardias. Recognizing what the rhythm is and understand what it means is essential to correct and provide appropriate treatment. DO NOT apply treatment unless you understand WHY you are doing it and what outcome you are trying to accomplish.
Learning basic or advanced level life support will be much more enjoyable when students understanding is congruent with the level of training. In contrast, it is very possible to leave an advanced level course with an ACLS or PALS certification card and really not have mastered the objectives. Although it is the objective of the course to teach these life saving skills, it is not expected that all who attend leave with the same confidence. If you are new to the world of basic or advanced level emergency care, give yourself time. Skills require time and practice.