Earning your Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is an important step for anyone working in healthcare. Proper training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other basic life support skills allows you to provide potentially lifesaving care in critical situations. If you're looking to get BLS certified in Tampa, follow these tips to help you pass the exam.
Studying the BLS Provider Manual
The key to passing the BLS exam is understanding the material in the BLS Provider Manual. This manual from the American Heart Association provides an overview of all the information needed for BLS certification. Be sure to read through the manual carefully and focus on these key topics:
CPR Skills
High-quality CPR: chest compressions and breaths
Using an AED
Differences between adult, child, and infant CPR
Choking Management
Conscious and unconscious choking treatment
Managing partial and complete airway blockages
Additional Skills
Taking vital signs
Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction
Oropharyngeal airways
Bag-mask technique
Recovery position
Take notes as you read through the material. Making flashcards or quizzing yourself can also help reinforce the knowledge. Pay extra attention to any topics you find challenging.
Registering for an In-Person or Online Course
To earn your BLS certification, you'll need to take a training course. You have two options:
In-Person Classroom Course
Classroom courses provide hands-on practice of CPR skills with an instructor and other students. This option allows you to get comfortable performing skills like chest compressions. Many local organizations like CPR Tampa offer classroom courses.
Online Course
Online courses cover the same material through video lessons and written content. This is a more flexible option, but won't include hands-on skills practice. The American Heart Association offers an online course through its website.
No matter which type of course you choose, you'll still need to pass a skills evaluation. Make sure to pick a course that includes an in-person skills test.
What to Expect During the Skills Evaluation
The skills evaluation ensures you can correctly perform CPR and other techniques. You'll be asked to demonstrate skills on a manikin like:
Performing 2 minutes of high-quality CPR
Using an AED appropriately
Relieving a conscious or unconscious choking victim
Applying for recovery position
Taking vital signs
Listen closely to the instructor’s directions and tips during your course. Practice any skills you feel uncertain about before the test. Relax, focus on your abilities, and demonstrate the skills as you learn them.
With the right preparation, you can pass the skills evaluation and earn your BLS certification in Tampa. Proper training will give you the ability to act quickly and confidently in emergencies. Don't wait to get certified - register for a BLS course today!
Ready to get BLS certified in Tampa? CPR Tampa offers American Heart Association courses designed to help you pass the exam. Sign up for a classroom or online course today and learn essential skills to help save lives.
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