BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS)

Course Introduction

Basic Life Support (BLS) is an essential lifesaving skill for healthcare professionals, healthcare students, first responders, and others who may be required to respond to a person experiencing cardiac arrest or another life-threatening emergency.

This course provides a structured introduction to the recognition and management of cardiac arrest, with emphasis on early recognition, rapid activation of emergency medical services, high-quality CPR, effective ventilation, early defibrillation, and coordinated team-based resuscitation.

The course combines online theoretical learning with practical skills training and assessment. Learners are introduced to the principles of BLS through video demonstrations, interactive learning materials, clinical scenarios, skill demonstrations, quizzes, and hands-on practice where applicable.

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, psychomotor skills, decision-making abilities, and confidence required to recognize cardiac arrest and provide effective Basic Life Support until advanced medical care becomes available.

The course emphasizes the importance of early CPR and early defibrillation as critical interventions that can significantly influence survival following cardiac arrest.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the course, the learner should be able to:

1. Explain the importance of Basic Life Support and the chain of survival.

2. Assess a scene for safety before approaching a victim.

3. Perform an initial assessment of an unresponsive adult.

4. Recognize abnormal or absent breathing and suspected cardiac arrest.

5. Activate the emergency response system and obtain an AED.

6. Perform high-quality adult chest compressions.

7. Provide effective rescue breaths using an appropriate barrier device or pocket mask.

8. Perform single-rescuer adult CPR.

9. Perform two-rescuer adult CPR.

10. Demonstrate appropriate use of an AED trainer.

11. Integrate AED use with ongoing CPR.

12. Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication during resuscitation.

13. Recognize common errors that reduce the quality of CPR.

14. Demonstrate the complete BLS sequence during simulated cardiac arrest.

15. Apply BLS principles appropriately in realistic emergency scenarios.

Course Structure

The course is organized into progressive learning modules so that learners first understand the principles of BLS and then develop the practical skills required to perform effective resuscitation.

Module 1 – Introduction to Basic Life Support

This module introduces the concept of BLS, the importance of early intervention, cardiac arrest, and the role of the rescuer.

Topics include:

• What is Basic Life Support?

• Cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death

• Importance of early CPR

• Importance of early defibrillation

• Chain of survival

• Role and responsibilities of the rescuer

• Overview of the BLS sequence

Module 2 – Scene Safety and Initial Assessment

Before approaching a collapsed person, the rescuer must ensure that the environment is safe.

Topics include:

• Assessing scene safety

• Identifying potential hazards

• Using appropriate personal protection

• Assessing responsiveness

• Checking breathing

• Recognizing abnormal or agonal breathing

• Activation of the emergency response system

• Obtaining an AED

Skill Practice:

Learners practice approaching an adult victim and performing the initial assessment safely and systematically.

Module 3 – Adult Chest Compressions

High-quality chest compressions are the foundation of effective CPR.

Topics include:

• Correct positioning of the victim

• Correct hand placement

• Compression rate

• Appropriate compression depth

• Full chest recoil

• Minimizing interruptions

• Avoiding excessive ventilation

• Maintaining consistent compression quality

Hands-On Practice:

Learners perform repeated cycles of chest compressions on an adult CPR manikin and receive instructor feedback.

Module 4 – Rescue Breathing and Pocket Mask

This module introduces effective ventilation during CPR.

Topics include:

• Opening the airway

• Head-tilt/chin-lift technique

• Use of a pocket mask

• Creating an effective mask seal

• Delivering effective breaths

• Recognizing inadequate ventilation

• Avoiding excessive ventilation

Hands-On Practice:

Learners practice pocket-mask ventilation on an adult manikin.

Module 5 – Single-Rescuer Adult CPR

This module integrates assessment, chest compressions, airway management, and ventilation into a complete single-rescuer CPR sequence.

Topics include:

• Recognizing cardiac arrest

• Activating the emergency response system

• Starting CPR

• Compression-to-ventilation sequence

• Maintaining high-quality compressions

• Providing effective ventilations

• Minimizing interruptions

• Continuing CPR until appropriate intervention or handover

Simulation Practice:

Learners perform complete single-rescuer adult CPR on a manikin using a simulated cardiac arrest scenario.

Module 6 – Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Early defibrillation is a critical component of resuscitation for eligible shockable cardiac rhythms.

Topics include:

• What is an AED?

• Indications for AED use

• AED safety

• AED pad placement

• Following AED voice prompts

• Ensuring everyone is clear before analysis and shock

• Safe shock delivery

• Immediately resuming CPR after AED intervention

• Integrating AED use into the resuscitation sequence

Hands-On Practice:

Learners practice AED operation using an AED trainer and simulated cardiac arrest scenarios.

Module 7 – Two-Rescuer Adult CPR

Effective teamwork improves the efficiency and quality of CPR.

Topics include:

• Allocation of rescuer roles

• Communication between rescuers

• Compressor and ventilator roles

• Minimizing interruptions

• Changing compressors efficiently

• Integration of AED use

• Team coordination

• Closed-loop communication

Team Simulation:

Learners work in pairs to perform two-rescuer adult CPR with AED integration.

Module 8 – Integrated BLS Simulation

The final practical module brings together all the skills learned throughout the course.

Learners participate in realistic simulated emergency scenarios requiring them to:

• Ensure scene safety

• Assess responsiveness

• Assess breathing

• Activate emergency response

• Begin CPR

• Provide effective compressions

• Provide ventilations

• Apply and operate an AED trainer

• Resume CPR appropriately

• Work effectively as a resuscitation team

The emphasis is on correct sequence, technical competence, teamwork, communication, and confidence.

Learning Methodology

The online component uses a blended learning approach consisting of:

• Short instructional videos

• Demonstration videos

• Illustrated learning materials

• Clinical scenarios

• Interactive questions

• Knowledge checks

• Pre-test and post-test assessments

• Practical skill demonstrations

• Hands-on manikin practice

• AED trainer practice

• Instructor feedback

• Practical competency assessment

The course is designed to move learners through the learning pathway:

Learn → Observe → Practice → Perform → Assess → Improve

Practical Skills Component

Where the course is delivered as a blended or instructor-led BLS program, learners should have the opportunity to practice essential skills using appropriate training equipment.

Practical Skills Include:

• Scene safety and primary assessment

• Adult chest compressions

• Pocket-mask ventilation

• Single-rescuer adult CPR

• AED operation

• Two-rescuer adult CPR

• Team-based resuscitation

• Integrated BLS simulation

Repeated practice is encouraged to develop muscle memory, confidence, and consistency.

Assessment Strategy

Learner progress can be assessed at multiple stages.

1. Pre-Course Assessment

A short pre-test assesses the learner's baseline knowledge and identifies areas requiring additional attention.

2. Module Knowledge Checks

Short quizzes are provided throughout the course to reinforce key concepts and promote active learning.

3. Post-Course Assessment

A final knowledge assessment evaluates understanding of the major BLS concepts covered in the course.

4. Practical Skills Assessment

Where practical training is included, learners are assessed on essential BLS competencies using a structured skills checklist.

Assessment may include:

• Scene safety

• Initial assessment

• Recognition of cardiac arrest

• Chest compression technique

• Ventilation technique

• Single-rescuer CPR

• AED operation

• Two-rescuer CPR

• Team communication

• Overall resuscitation performance

Course Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the LMS course, learners should:

• Complete all required learning modules.

• View the required instructional content.

• Complete module-based knowledge checks.

• Complete the final post-test.

• Achieve the required passing score.

• Complete the required practical skills assessment where applicable.

• Demonstrate competency in essential BLS skills.

Certification is subject to successful completion of the requirements established by the course provider.

Target Learners

This course is suitable for:

• MBBS students

• Medical interns

• Doctors

• Nurses

• Dentists

• Paramedics

• Allied healthcare professionals

• Healthcare support staff

• First responders

• Other individuals who require basic lifesaving skills

The depth of practical assessment may be adapted according to the learner's professional role and the requirements of the training program.

Expected Competency

At the end of the course, a successful learner should be able to respond to an adult cardiac arrest in a structured manner and initiate appropriate BLS interventions.

The learner should demonstrate the ability to:

Recognize → Respond → Call for Help → Start CPR → Provide Effective Ventilation → Apply AED → Continue CPR → Coordinate the Team → Handover

The overall goal is to ensure that learners are not only able to describe BLS, but are also able to perform the essential skills correctly during a simulated emergency.

Course Benefits

After completing this course, learners will have:

• Improved recognition of cardiac arrest

• Better understanding of the BLS sequence

• Improved CPR technique

• Increased confidence in using an AED

• Improved rescue breathing skills

• Experience with single- and two-rescuer CPR

• Improved teamwork and communication skills

• Greater confidence in responding to sudden cardiac arrest

Course Philosophy

BLS is a skill that must be performed, not merely remembered.

This course therefore emphasizes early recognition, high-quality CPR, early defibrillation, effective ventilation, teamwork, repeated practice, and competency-based assessment to help learners develop the confidence and skills required to respond effectively to a life-threatening emergency.