Must-Know Topics Covered in BLS Courses in Louisville: Tips for Passing the Exam

 Taking a Basic Life Support (BLS) course is an essential step for anyone pursuing a healthcare career or looking to keep their skills up-to-date. A BLS class covers the knowledge and techniques needed to provide lifesaving care in critical situations. When preparing for your BLS certification exam in Louisville, make sure you understand these must-know topics that will be covered in your course.

Adult CPR Techniques

Performing high-quality CPR is a core skill you'll learn in your BLS class. For adults, key CPR techniques include:

• Chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute and a depth of 2-2.4 inches

• Allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions

• Using proper hand placement and body position

• Delivering rescue breaths with a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths

• Coordinating compressions and breaths as a two-rescuer team

• Practice delivering quality chest compressions and ventilations on a manikin during your course. You'll need to demonstrate these skills during the exam.

Child and Infant CPR Techniques

Children and infants require modified CPR techniques:

For children:

• Use one or two hands for compressions based on the child's size

• Compress at least 1/3 the depth of the chest

• The same 30:2 ratio of compressions to breaths

For infants:

• Use two fingers for chest compressions at a depth of 1.5 inches

• Deliver rescue breaths with smaller volumes of air

• The same 30:2 compression-to-breath ratio

• Know the differences and proper hand placement for each age group.

Using an AED

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can help revive someone in sudden cardiac arrest. You'll learn skills like:

• Recognizing when an AED should be used

• Correctly placing pads on a patient's bare chest

• Allowing the AED to analyze heart rhythm and deliver a shock if needed

• Resuming CPR after shock delivery

• Practice using AEDs so you can operate them with confidence.

Relief of Choking Hazards

Choking is another critical emergency covered in BLS courses. You'll be trained on:

• Identifying the signs of conscious versus unconscious choking

• Performing back blows and abdominal thrusts for conscious victims

• Opening airways and giving chest compressions to unconscious victims

• Dislodging obstructing objects to restore breathing

• Quick action to clear airways can prevent death or brain damage.

Understanding the Relationship Between BLS and CPR

While often used interchangeably, BLS and CPR are closely related but not identical.

BLS refers to a comprehensive set of basic life support skills, including:

• CPR for victims of all ages

• Use of AEDs

• Relief of choking emergencies

• Taking vital signs

• MANE (Management of Acute and Emergency Conditions)

CPR focuses specifically on cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques like chest compressions, rescue breaths, and AED operations. It is one component of the broader BLS curriculum.

Understanding the link between these terms will help you succeed in your exam.

With preparation and practice, you can demonstrate mastery of these essential topics during your BLS skills evaluation in Louisville. Use this knowledge to act quickly and provide potentially lifesaving care.

Ready to register for a BLS class in Louisville? CPR Louisville offers American Heart Association courses that cover all the topics you need to know. Sign up today to advance your healthcare career and lifesaving abilities.