AHA Heartcode BLS - Heartcode BLS Blended CPR
Course Description
HeartCode BLS (Basic Life Support) is an online, self-directed course provided by the American Heart Association (AHA). It's designed to teach healthcare professionals how to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED (automated external defibrillator), and relieve choking in a safe, timely, and effective manner. The course includes interactive learning modules and videos, followed by a skills assessment in person.
Participants complete the online portion at their own pace, which covers the cognitive aspects of BLS. Afterward, they attend an in-person skills session with an AHA BLS Instructor to practice and demonstrate their skills. Successful completion of both the online and hands-on portions results in a BLS course completion card, which is valid for two years in most cases.
After completing the online portion of the course, please call:
Katrina Veal at 478-275-6592 or klveal@oftc.edu for the Dublin location
Lottie Rizzardi at 478-553-2149 or lrizzardi@oftc.edu for the Sandersville location
Course Outline
The HeartCode BLS course by the American Heart Association (AHA) typically follows a structured outline to ensure comprehensive learning and skill development in basic life support techniques. Here's a general outline of what the course covers:
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Introduction to BLS:
- Overview of basic life support principles.
- Importance of early recognition and response to cardiac arrest.
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High-Quality CPR:
- Chest compression techniques, including depth, rate, and recoil.
- Use of AHA-recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio.
- Integration of automated external defibrillator (AED) use during CPR.
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AED Use:
- Understanding how AEDs work.
- Proper placement and operation of an AED.
- Safety precautions when using an AED.
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Rescue Techniques:
- Techniques for relieving choking in responsive and unresponsive victims.
- Modifications in CPR technique for special populations (e.g., infants, children).
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Team Dynamics:
- Importance of effective team communication during resuscitation efforts.
- Roles and responsibilities of different team members in a cardiac arrest scenario.
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Post-Cardiac Arrest Care:
- Immediate post-cardiac arrest care guidelines.
- Management of the patient after return of spontaneous circulation.
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Skills Practice and Testing:
- Online simulation-based learning to practice decision-making and critical thinking skills.
- Hands-on skills practice and testing session with an AHA BLS Instructor.
- Assessment of competency in performing high-quality CPR and using an AED.
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Course Completion:
- Successful completion of both the online cognitive portion and the hands-on skills session.
- Issuance of an AHA BLS Provider course completion card valid for two years.