3 Things to Keep in Mind from BLS Training During the Exam
Are you a pre-med or medical student studying to become a doctor? Well, you will need BLS certification throughout your career. But there are three things you may forget from your BLS training that could stop you on your path.
The American Heart Association (AHA) requires that all lay rescuers and trained medical professionals are certified. So, you need to pass the test when the time comes. Here are some BLS tips to help you pass this US medical licensing exam.
AHA sets the guidelines and standards for BLS certifications. They determine what future doctors need to know to act accordingly during emergencies and perform their jobs properly.
Not only do you have to become certified, but AHA also requires BLS re-certification every two years as well. Here are the top three things people commonly forget from the BLS training when taking the exam:
1. Not Checking Your Surroundings for Safety Issues
During an emergency situation, many people around you will panic. As a future physician, you need to handle the situation like a professional. That means remaining calm and checking for safety issues before you begin helping.
DO NOT start tending to the victim unless it’s safe. Car crashes, for example, can cause threatening, harmful conditions that make it dangerous for you to get to the victim. Also, make sure the panicking people at the scene are not making it too dangerous for you to assist.
Remember, you’re of no value to anyone if you get hurt at the scene trying to tend to a victim. Never, ever skip this step.
2. Use Teamwork When Possible
Whatever task you take on at the scene, concentrate on your job only. That means if you’re the person calling 911, stay on the phone until help arrives. Your job is to keep the 911 operator informed about what’s happening with the victim and/or at the scene.
If you’re in charge of performing CPR on a victim, give it your full attention. It’s extremely important that you, as the rescuer, focus on nothing other than giving the victim CPR.
When there are other people standing around or at the scene, get them to assist you. Take charge and let them know what you need them to do while you begin CPR:
- Call 911
- Grab a bag mask
- Get the AED defibrillator
If you’re all alone and have no one to assist you, call 911 before beginning CPR. Put them on speakerphone so you can communicate with the 911 operator as you work to save the victim’s life.
3. Compression Depth & Ratio Matter
When performing CPR, you must remember the correct ratio to give compressions per minute. It’s vital that your compression depth is correct as well if you really want to save the life of the victim.
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Correct Compression Speed
Your speed of compressions needs to be 100-120 beats per minute. Many savvy healthcare professionals advise doing compressions to the beat of the song ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees.
Proper Compressions Ratio
- Adults – 30 compressions/2 breaths
- Infants & Children with 1 Rescuer – 30 compressions/2 breaths
- Infants & Children with 2 Rescuers – 15 compressions/2 breaths
Proper Compression Depth
- Adults – Push down on the victim’s chest at least 2 inches deep
- Children – Push down on the victim’s chest at least 2 inches deep
- Infants – Push down on the victim’s chest at least 1.5 inches deep
NOTE: Pushing down hard helps keep the victim’s blood circulation throughout the body.
Get BLS Training in Atlanta, Georgia
These are just some of the common things people tend to forget when taking the BLS certification exam. But you need to know more than this to get certified so you can practice medicine.
If you’re in the Atlanta area and need to get certified or re-certified, MedSmarter can help. Our BLS training course is taught by board-certified licensed physicians on our Suwanee, GA campus.
Learn the American Heart Association guidelines for CPR.
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