Basic Life Support Courses

Canadian Red Cross
BLS Certification
Oxygen Therapy
Included
Airway Management
Included
Course Duration
4-5 hours

Basic Life Support Course Summary

Medi-Pro Response Solution's Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support courses are intensive, interactive and learner centered programs which prepare you and provide you with BC EMALB BLS Licensing eligibility. You will learn and practice a systematic but flexible approach to patient assessment, airway management techniques, oxygen therapy equipment, and high performance pit-crew CPR and AED protocols in a team based clinical response setting.

The skills taught and principles introduced are nationally recognized for scientific, evidence-based credibility, with a strong emphasis on provincially relevant BCEHS Clinical Practice Guidelines and BC EMALB Licensing requirements. Basic Life Support (BLS) has replaced CPR level HCP as the paramedic industry standard for professional CPR-AED training and performace.

Basic Life Support Certification
Upon successful completion of the Basic Life Support program you will recieve a Canadian Red Cross BLS certificate, as issued through the Canadian Red Cross, valid for 1 year. You will also receive a separate Airway Management certificate valid for 3 years, and an Oxygen Therapy certificate valid for 3 years. Canadian Red Cross certificates are generated and issued electronically through the national MyRC database, and provided by email within 10 business days of completion of all course and examination requirements. More...

Course Duration & Recertification
Basic Life Support (BLS) courses are typically delivered in a 4-5 hour classroom setting starting either in the morning or the afternoon. If you already hold a current and valid Basic Life Support certificate you are eligible to register for the discount Basic Life Support Recertification course. Basic Life Support course content includes CPR-AED skills for adult, child, infant and neonatal patients, multi-Rescuer dynamic CPR performance, variable compression to ventilation ratios, airway management, and oxygen therapy. More...

BLS OVERVIEW

Basic Life Support Course Overview

Review the information in this section to make sure that Basic Life Support will meet your training and certification needs, and give yourself the tools to arrive fully prepared for success and enjoyment in your BLS course.

Canadian Red Cross BLS Certification

Our Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support programs are Nationally recognized for up to date protocols, and meet the most current BCEHS Clinical Practice Guidelines, and BC EMALB Licensing requirements.

You'll learn and practice advanced emergency medical assessment and interventions which will help you make safe decisions in any emergency, and provide professional medical care to your patients.

Your Canadian Red Cross BLS certificate, awarded to you upon completion of your Kelowna BLS course and valid for 1 years, will indicate Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support certification. You will also receive a Canadian Red Cross Airway Management certificate, valid for three years and a Canadian Red Cross Oxygen Therapy certificate, valid for 3 years.

If you require a valid BLS certificate, you will need to complete a standalone BLS Recertification course yearly, but your Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy certificates will remain valid for the full 3 year term regardless of whether or not you specifically renew the BLS certificate.

Canadian Red Cross certificates are generated and issued electronically through the national MyRC database, and provided by email within 10 business days of completion of all course and examination requirements. More than just a certificate, you'll have the confidence to act, and Be the Difference in your community.

Where to go

2011 Daimler Drive — *BLS Course Locations*

Our Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support courses are provided in multiple classroom locations in Kelowna, Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and throughout British Columbia. Most BLS courses in the Okanagan area are conducted in our West Kelowna classroom at 2011 Daimler Drive. Click here for directions, maps and public transit options.

By request, we can schedule private courses for your group at specific location of your choosing. The location and directions for your particular Basic Life Support course will be indicated during the booking process, and included in the confirmation email you will receive upon completing registration.

Make sure the BLS course you are registering for is in a location that works for you.
Our booking platform may show BLS courses at different geographic regions on different course dates.
Check your confirmation email to ensure that the course location indicated is in the region you expected.
The link in your confirmation email will incude directions, but you should verify your intended route of travel ahead of time.
Allow ample time for traffic and unanticipated delays to ensure you arrive at your classroom in time for your scheduled course sessions.

BLS Course Outline

Get the most out of your Kelowna Basic Life Support course by familiarizing yourself with the Basic Life Support course content, schedule, and classroom session structure. Your Canadian Red Cross BLS course in Kelowna or Vancouver, BC is presented in a single 5-hour classroom session. BLS concepts, principles, and skills are introduced in a simplified context and logical sequence. The Basic Life Support course starts with basic drills, and builds towards more complex scenarios with an emphasis on clinical decision making as participant skill levels and confidence improve. Stand-alone skill components are introduced and reinforced, then integrated into realistic situations and circumstances.

Each BLS course session includes two short breaks throughout the 5 hour classroom session. Access to locals stores or restaurants may be limited, so you should arrive at each session with enough food and water/drinks to keep you nourished and hydrated the entire day.

Basic Life Support is essentially a high performance, "pit-crew" approach to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED) in a professional medical responder environment. CPR & AED principles form an integral part of your overall BLS training, and are also considered a standalone, portable skill set that can be transferred to work with any high performance team performing CPR in a clinical setting. Your Basic Life Support certification includes BLS protocols, and remains valid for 1 year, however the separate Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy certificates issued at the same time will remain valid for 3 years. If you require a valid BLS certificate, you will need to complete a standalone BLS Recertification course yearly, but your Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy certificates will remain valid for the full 3 year term regardless of whether or not you specifically renew the BLS certificate.

There is an emphasis on the specific Basic Life Support protocols stipulated and outlined by the local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) in British Columbia including the Emergency Medical Assistant's Licensing Branch (EMALB) examination guidelines, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Clinical Practice Guidelines, and BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) response guidelines. Basic Life Support skills, tools and principles covered in your Basic Life Support course include...

Team based approach to CPR & AED with multiple rescuers/agencies on scene
Variable Compression to Ventilation ratios for patients in different age groups
Adult patients aged 9 and up (30:2/10:1/CCC)
Child patients aged 1 to 9 (15:2)
Infant patients under 1 year old (15:2)
Neonatal patients under 28 days old (3:1)
Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM)
Oxygen Therapy
Oropharyngeal Airways
Nasopharyngeal Airways
Automated External Defibrillators

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support certification courses in Kelowna and Vancouver BC. Take a look through the Q & A topics listed below, to find answers to your Basic Life Support course questions. If you don't see the answers to your questions in this FAQ section, you may still find the information you're looking for in the other sections of this page, including Basic Life Support Overview, Basic Life Support Resources, and Basic Life Support Course Skills.

Of course, Medi-Pro First Aid is happy to answer all your questions if you choose to contact us directly through our Contact Us form, by email (training@mediprofirstaid.com), or over the phone (778-724-9054). We do our best to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible during normal business hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday.

Q. When will I get my BLS Certificate?

Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support certificates are generated on the national MyRC course management platform and provided to Basic Life Support course participants electronically, in PDF format. Upon successful completion of your Basic Life Support course, Medi-Pro will upload and process your certification, and you will recieve your BLS certificate by email. Medi-Pro administration do their best to ensure this process is generally completed within 48 hours of course completion, but it in some circumstances it can take up to 10 business days. If you require immediate proof of Basic Life Support course completion, your Instructor can provide you with a temporary certificate before you leave the classroom. However it is up to each individual employer/regulatory agency to decide whether or not they accept temporary certificates. It is usually simplest to just forward your official Basic Life Support certificate and/or your Basic Life Support certificate as soon as you receive it.

Q. Can I get a refund if I cancel my Basic Life Support course registration?

Medi-Pro's baseline policy is no refunds for last minute cancellations. However, we will do our best to work with you if circumstances beyond your control make it impossible for you to attend your scheduled course. In most cases, we can find an alternative course date for you and just move your existing registration to the new date. Depending on circumstances, and the number of previous cancellations, there may be a small re-booking charge, but we're compassionate people who understand that life can be messy.

Q. How long is a Basic Life Support course?

In British Columbia, the minimum classroom time required for a Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course is 5 hours. Medi-Pro generally schedules Basic Life Support courses in a single 5-hour classroom session. If your group requires a different timeframe, such as multiple sessions or a specific day of the week, you can make arrangements with Medi-Pro for a private booking that works for your group's scheduling needs.

Q. Is there an age requirement for Basic Life Support courses?

The Canadian Red Cross does not have any age requirements to complete a Basic Life Support course or to receive BLS certification. Participants of any age are welcomed in our Basic Life Support courses, provided they are capable and willing to actively participate throughout the entire course. Of course, there are some considerations that might make it inappropriate for a very young participant, but there is no minimum age specification.

BC EMALB stipulates that you must be at least 19 years old to provide emergency medical service as a licensed practitioner in BC. You can obtain and hold a "Restricted" EMALB licence from 16-18 which means you can only provide emergency medical service under the direct supervision of an unrestricted (at least 19 years old) EMALB Licence holder. A restricted licence automatically becomes unrestricted when the licence holder turns 19.

Q. Can I renew/recertify my old Basic Life Support certificate?

If you hold a current and valid Basic Life Support certificate from Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance or another recognized provider, you qualify to complete a shortened Basic Life Support Recertification course. If your most recent BLS certificate has already expired, you will need to re-complete the full Basic Life Support course to obtain a new BLS certificate.

Q. I can't find my Basic Life Support Certificate. How can I get a replacement?

If you took your last Basic Life Support course with Medi-Pro Response Solutions or Frontline First Aid, we likely have a record of your certificate on file. Just let us know that you need a replacement copy and we'll send it out to you by email. Make sure to tell us if your email address has changed since your last Basic Life Support course registration, or if you need the copy sent to a different email.

Q. Where do Basic Life Support guidelines come from?

The International Liason Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), and the corresponding Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) task force groups constantly review and evaluate current Professional Medical Responder and Basic Life Support practices from data collected around the globe. ICLOR and CoSTR periodically produce documents which summarize their most recent findings, as well recommendations on what current emgergency paramedical practices should be continued, which should be changed, and what new practices should be adopted. Based on the findings in these documents, as well as other scientifically credible sources, individual Basic Life Support and Paramedic training providers such as the Canadian Red Cross produce their own evidence-based guidelines and educational delivery models.

In British Columbia, the paramedic profession is governed and regulated by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and the BC Emergency Medical Assistant's Licensing Board (EMALB). As such your Basic Life Support course will include many skills and protocols which are specific to British Columbia as dictated by BCEHS and EMALB which are updated frequently.

Q. Should I take an Basic Life Support course?

Basic Life Support is intended for workers or volunteers who will be providing high-performance Cardiopulmonary Rescuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) protocols in a clinical team-based setting. Due to the relative skill complexity (compared to more basic lay-rescuer CPR), there is also a presumption that BLS care providers will review and practice Basic Life Support skills on a regular basis. Anyone who is looking at starting or furthering their career as a professional medical responder should consider an BLS training program.

Fire Fighters
Care Aides
Nurses
Occupational First Aid Attendants
Remote Oilfield Medics
Search and Rescue workers
Ski Patrollers
Care Providers
Harm Reduction workers
All members of team-based emergency medical response units

You should always confirm specific course and certification requirements with your employer, educational institution or governing body before making your course selection. Medi-Pro First Aid can provide you with best practice recommendations based on industry standards, but cannot make a blanket guarantee that any particular First Aid/Medical Responder course will meet your individual requirements.

Q. What is Hands-Only CPR?

The baseline performance of bystander CPR includes continuous cycles of chest compressions combined with alternating ventilations/rescue breaths. The chest compressions pump blood from the heart and circulate it to vital organs. The rescue breaths put oxygen back into the lungs and bloodstream so that the blood being circulated is keeping cells alive. Ideally, an AED should be used as soon as possible as well.

Hands-Only CPR (also known as Compressions-Only CPR) is an alternative which takes into account that a bystander may not feel safe or comfortable performing the rescue breathing component. Performing the chest compressions continuously, without providing rescue breaths, can still produce a positive outcome without the real or perceived risks associated with rescue breathing. Although not as statistically effective as traditional CPR, the application of Hands-Only CPR has been proven vastly superior to doing nothing, and can help ensure the patient is still viable when emergency crews arrive to perform more advanced procedures.

Table of Contents ▲

BLS PREPARATION

Basic Life Support Course Preparation

You will maximize your opportunities for success enjoyment through your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC if you review the basic expectations and arrive fully prepared.

The more familiar you are with the online resources, educational supplements, printed text books, and BLS support materials at your disposal, the more likely you are to enjoy your BLS course and be successful in obtaining BLS certification.

Basic Life Support Field Guide

Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support Field Guide. Utlized by BLS, Oxygen Therapy and Airway Management course students in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC.

The Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support Field Guide reference manual is a pocket-sized, spiral bound 52 page, full-color text book with a soft red and white cover. The exterior cover and interior pages of the BLS Field Guide are made of a water resistant paper material, so you can keep it with you in the rain or wet environments without worry. The Basic Life Support Field Guide is available in PDF format as a downloadable resource for your mobile device, and in printed edition for Basic Life Support, Basic Life Support, Basic Life Support and Advanced First Aid course students.

The BLS Field Guide can also be purchased or downloaded by anyone with an interest in the most current and scientifically valid high-performance team based CPR-AED practices in Canada.

BLS Field Guide Contents:

Part 1. Introduction to Basic Life Support

Basic Life Support Terminology
Legal Issues
Consent
Implied Consent
Responsive Patients
Unresponsive Patients
Children
Abandonment
Advance Directives

Part 2. Basic Life Support Skills

Glove Removal
Primary Assessment
CPR
Airway Obstruction
Assisted Ventilation

Part 3. Airway Management

Anatomical Terminology
Opening the Mouth
Airway Adjuncts
Suction

Part 4. Oxygen Therapy

Pulse Oximetry
Pulse Oximeter Ranges and Values
Supplemental Oxygen
Oxygen Cylinders
Oxygen Regulators
Duration of Flow
Oxygen Delivery Devices
Administering Oxygen

Part 5. Basic Life Support

Special Considerations
Trauma
Hypothermia
Opioid Overdose
Anaphylaxis
Six Rights of Medication
High-Performance CPR
Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
High-Performance Team Communication
Post-Event Debrief

Canadian Red Cross First Aid App

The Canadian Red Cross First Aid App allows you to keep lifesaving procedures and advice literally in the palm of your hands. Turn your Apple or Android smart phone, tablet, or mobile device into an extensive and instantaneous resource for the emergencies you encounter.

The First Aid App helps you maintain and hone your First Aid skills on a day to day basis, and provides you with the extra details that can make a huge difference when seconds count. Although mobile technology is not a substitute for first aid certification training and regular hands-on practice, having the relevant information including diagrams, phone numbers, video clips and flowcharts immediately accessible when faced with an emergency leaves you feeling more confident in your decisions and first aid capabilities.

Free to download, easy to use, essential to have. Download the App to get on the go access to First Aid videos, images, interactive quizzes, and step-by-step First Aid procedures.

Key features of the Canadian Red Cross First Aid App:

Step-by-Step First Aid Instructions for everyday emergencies.
Integration with 9-1-1, which allows to call EMS directly from the app.
Videos, images and animations which visually reinforce your First Aid skills
Prevention and safety tips for extreme weather and disaster conditions such as hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, fires, and tornadoes to keep you aware and prepared.
Pre-loaded content which remains available even when cellular and internet data connections are not accessible.
Interactive quizzes which allow you to compete with your friends to earn badges and showcase your First Aid skills.

BLS Downloads & Resources

Downloads and online, web-based resources for Basic Life Support courses and BC EMALB Licensing eligibility in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC. Basic Life Support certification training, EMALB Licensing preparation, and the provision of emergency medical care as a professional responder all involve far more that simply learning something once in the classroom. The paramedic profession is extremely dynamic and requires a lifetime committment to remaining up to date on the most current BLS protocols, guidelines, science, and practices.

This means that you will need to learn how to find the documented information and guidelines related to your Basic Life Support training and verify that what you remember learning is still considered a current practice. In addition to the documents and textbooks already outlined above, you will need to access and refer to several other online resources as you prepare to be successful throughout your Basic Life Support training.

Many of these resources can be downloaded and printed or saved, and some are only available online, through a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile web browser. Although you may find it convenient to download many of these documents and print them for easy reference, you should make a habit of frequently revisiting the source material online to make sure you are utilizing the most current materials.

BLS Certification Requirements

Medi-Pro First Aid's Basic Life Support courses are facilitated in a friendly, learner-centered environment, with the skills and principles presented in a simple and straight forward manner. Your Basic Life Support course Instructor will do everything possible to ensure that you meet national Canadian Red Cross, and provincial BC EMALB benchmarks for Basic Life Support certification.

Key Basic Life Support topics are presented in a distilled and relevant context, which makes them easy to understand and remember. A mix of interactive group activities and self-application make the paramedical principles easy to understand and fun to learn. Most of the course is dedicated to physical skills and hands-on learning which involve clear demonstrations immediately followed by opportunities to apply, practice, repeat and reinforce the Basic Life Support skills with realistic equipment.

In order to receive Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support certification, which is valid for 3 years from date of completion, you must meet the following course attendance, performance and participation requirements.

Attendance in 100% of the course (this includes arriving, and returning from all breaks, on time)
Earnest and mindful participation in all activities, skills, and scenarios
Respectful behaviour towards the Instructor all other participants Adherence to all classroom/facility health and safety guidelines
Legible, accurate submission of your First & Last name and your preferred email address (this is required for Medi-Pro to process your BLS Certification through the Canadian Red Cross)
Minimum 75% on a multiple choice Written Exam

Personal items to bring to your BLS course

Bringing a few essential items with you to class can make the entire Basic Life Support course more enjoyable. This added level of comfort can also help ensure you learn and retain the BLS and BLS skills, as well as meeting all the certification requirements as you participate.

Making sure you can see and hear your instructor, classmates and multi-media presentations is important. Although our Instructors will speak clearly and our video/projector screens are large enough to ensure full classroom visibility, you must bring any corrective eyewear or hearing aides (with fresh batteries) that you might need with you in your first aid course. In some cases you might need reading glasses for your BLS text book and reading-based activities, or you may need corrective lenses to clearly view the videos, slideshows and instructor-led Basic Life Support skill demonstrations.

If you normally require daily medications, you should definitely bring them with you to class, and adhere to your normal schedule. You might also find that your active participation in the first aid skills and activities throughout the day can increase your metabolic demands and the corresponding medication amounts. Basically, bring extra medications in case your needs increase throughout the day. It's better to have these with you and not end up needing them, rather than leaving them at home and wishing you had brought them. A few other suggestions include...

All relevant books and printed resources
Clean indoor footwear
Reusable mug
Refillable water bottle
Food for meals and snacks through the duration of the course
Clothing which allows for modesty, professionalism and comfort during physical activity
Spare shirt and sweater in case of temperature changes or excessive sweating
Medications that you might need throughout the day
Glasses or contact lenses if required for reading
Pen and notepad
Kneepads if prolonged and repeated physical activities in a kneeling position may cause you discomfort.
Lightly scented deodorant

BLS course Breaks & Lunch

Your Basic Life Support course will be conducted in an "Adult Learning" format, which means that you will be free to excuse yourself from the classroom at any time, if you need to use the washroom, answer an urgent phone call/text, or attend to any other emergent matter that can't wait until the next scheduled break.

Medi-Pro administration and Instructors recognize that unanticipated circumstances may occur outside the classroom which require your immediate attention, but will ask that you limit these distractions to only those that are essential, and to minimize the disruption to other participants.

If you become thirsty or hungry, you are encouraged to keep yourself nourished and hydrated in the classroom, provided this does not interrupt hands-on activities or interfere with others' safety, participation and learning. There will also be formal breaks scheduled throughout the day, which can be utilized for communications, snacks, lunch and beverages.

There will be a 15 minute break approximately every 2 hours, depending on classroom progress and participant pacing.
You will need to arrive with enough food and drinks to remain hydrated and nourished for the duration of each session
Access to local stores and restaurants may be limited.
Use of electronics is discouraged except during breaks or when the Instructor specifically deems it appropriate
Smoking is prohibited except for designated times and areas
The use of vaporization products and devices is prohibited except for designated times and areas
Consumption of alcohol in the classroom and grounds is prohibited
Consumption of cannabis in the classroom and grounds is prohibited, except where medically required
Impairment, as observed or presumed by the Instructor, will preclude you from participation and certification, regardless of the legality of any substances involved

BLS course Hygeine and Attire

BLS Hygeine and Attire — *Hygeine & Attire*

Participating in your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course in Kelowna or Vancouver, BC will involve working in close proximity with your classmates. Respectful physical contact is an unavoidable component of hands-on First Aid training. Out of consideration for your classmates, please arrive with hygeine, professionalism, and the comfort of others in mind.

Although it is impossible to define the term "appropriate" when it comes to clothing choices, there are few universal considerations. Slogans, logos, or images that could reasonably be categorized as objectively offensive or controversial must not be worn or displayed. Clothing which is soiled to the point that incidental contact may contaminate other clothing, equipment or furnishings are not acceptable in the classroom. Cothing or hygeine products which emit a strong odor may make it difficult for other participants to concentrate or enjoy the lessons and activities.

The health of all participants and staff is of paramount importance, so if you are feeling sick, or suspect that you may be contagious of any viral or bacterial infection, you must not attend the classroom. In cases of last minute cancellations related to unpredicted illness, Medi-Pro will make reasonable efforts to reschedule your course for a later date, when you are no longer sick/contagious.

Hygeine and beauty products should be unscented or lightly-scented only
Jewellery or accessories that could cause injury or entanglement may need to be removed (please do not bring expensive jewellery or irreplaceable heirlooms)
Longer hair needs to be secured in a way that prevents it from getting into others mouths and eyes
Your clothing should allow you to participate with comfort and consideration for others
Slogans or images that might be considered controversial, disrespectful or confrontational should be avoided
Some types of clothing may restrict your ability to participate or compromise your classmates' comfort.
Although it is impossible to define every aspect of the term "inappropriate" ahead of time, we ask that you take this into consideration when making your choices

Physical Requirements for BLS

BLS Physical Requirements — *Physical Requirements*

Participating in your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC will involve significant physical activity. If you have medical conditions, physical injuries or limitations that might compromise your ability to safely participate in these physical activities, you must notify your Instructor at the start of your course. Your Canadian Red Cross certified Instructor will make reasonable efforts to adapt and accomodate your limitations, but it is your responsibility to decide whether or not you can safely complete any particular task.

Your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course Instructor will balance the classroom between interactive theory components and hands-on physical activities, and you must actively participate in all the sections to successfully complete your BLS course. The physical requirements are not objectively intensive or difficult, but they do involve specific and repetitive movements. If you have any significant restrictions on your movement or exertion capacity, you should contact Medi-Pro well in advance of your scheduled course date to ensure that we can accommodate your limitations and provide the greatest opportunities for successful participation. Physical activities typical of Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support courses include...

Kneeling on the ground
Laying face-down on the ground
Laying face-up on the ground
Walking up and down stairs
Rolling and lifting an adult sized classmate
Performing CPR chest compressions on a CPR mannequin
Using a pocket mask with a one-way valve to inflate the lungs of a CPR mannequin
Sitting for 15-30 minutes at at time
Standing for 15-30 minutes at a time
Tying simple knots
Tearing medical tape

Code of Conduct in BLS courses

As a participant in a Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course, you will need to work with and show respectful behaviour towards all of your classmates. Regardless of any personal, philosophical, religious or political differences, you must support each other's learning throughout the course.

Respect is particularly important when learning, practicing or performing skills that involve physical contact with another participant. Physical contact is an unavoidable component of many core professional medical responder skills, so participants must be as respectful and professional as possible during these segments.

Each participant will bring their own unique experiences, backgrounds and perspectives to your Basic Life Support course, which will make the course more interesting and relevant for everyone, provided mutual respect is consistently demonstrated. Language or actions which impinge on every participants' right to a physically and psycologically safe learning learning environment will not be tolerated, and will result in expulsion from the program. You are not expected to agree with every aspect of your classmates' lifestyles and opinions, however you are expected to demonstrate respectful behaviour towards each other at all times.

Table of Contents ▲

BLS SKILLS

BLS Course Skills & Principles

Get the most out of your Kelowna Basic Life Support course by familiarizing yourself with the BLS course content, schedule, skills and structure. The content, principles, skills and information covered in your Kelowna Basic Life Support training is broken into specific sections in your BLS printed materials and online resources. The extensive BLS level information provided in your Canadian Red Cross Emergency Care for Professional Responders reference manual is divided numerically into Sections 1 to 24, with Appendices alphabetically labelled. You are also provided with many other supplements, downloads and online resources which help put all this information into context, and provides guideance on how these skills and principles are specifically applied in British Columbia, as required by BCEHS and EMALB Licensing.

The classroom topics and content covered in each day of your Kelowna BLS course will generally correspond with specific sections of your Emergency Care Manual and supplemental resources. The sequence of topics covered in the BLS classroom will not necessarily follow the sequence in which they are presented throughout the Emergency Care for Professional Responders text. The daily schedule for every BLS course is subject to change and revision based on the needs of that particular BLS class.

BLS concepts, principles, and skills are introduced in a simplified context and logical sequence.
The BLS course starts with basic drills, and builds towards more complex scenarios with an emphasis on clinical decision making as participant skill levels and confidence improve.
Stand-alone skill components are introduced and reinforced, then integrated into realistic situations and circumstances.
Intensity, workload and student responsibilities increase as the BLS course progresses, with developing emphasis on clinical decision making abilities and adaptive skill application.

Patient Assessment

The underlying foundation of your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support training course is the Assessment Model, which is a simple, logical, consistent approach to gathering information about the situation and the patient. Following the Check-Call-Care model, you'll learn and practice how to conduct a thorough assessment of your surroundings before focusing on the injured person, to ensure your own safety and the safety of others.

Checking the sick or injured person themselves during the primary assessment will give you a good idea whether or not there are any immediately life threatening problems and prompt you to take appropriate action if there are. Taking a few seconds to efficiently assess the person in a calm, orderly and logical fashion, rather than getting tunnel vision or using guesswork will help you prioritize the most important steps and interventions required. The more information you can gather and process, following the Check-Call-Care first aid patient assessment system, the better decisions you'll be able to make regarding your own personal safety and patient care. First Aid patient assessment skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course and materials include...

Check-Call-Care
Checking the Scene
Recognizing Hazards
Your own personal safety
Personal Protective Equipment
Use of Gloves
Use of Protective Eyewear
Primary Survey
Assessing Level of Responsiveness
Airway Assessment
Head-Tilt-Chin-Lift
Jaw Thrust
Breathing Assessment
Circulation Assessment
Radial Pulse Checks
Brachial Pulse Checks
Carotid Pulse Checks
Measuring Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Recovery Position

Airway Management

Ensuring that your patient's airway remains open, clear and patent is a critical component of providing Basic Life Support. If the airway is blocked or impeded, the patient will not be able to move air in and out of their lungs, and will quickly asphyxiate. Even if you are performing good CPR compressions, the perfusion of blood cells that are deprived of oxygen will eventually result in tissue death, so ensuring the cells can reoxygenate by allowing air movement is a time sensitive and ongoing priority throughout patient care.

Airways can become blocked impeded due to a number of factors including foreign-body obstruction, anatomical obstruction, or medical conditions such as Anaphylaxis which can cause the tissues of the airway to swell shut. Although you may not be able to definitively resolve all airway obstructions, there are several Airway Management techniques and tools which you can employ for an unresponsive patient at the Basic Life Support training level. Regardless of the specific airway obstruction being managed, or the specific tool or technique being applied, ensuring the patient's airway remains clear is a continous, ongoing process ot just a momentary checkbox. Airway Management skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course and materials include...

Airway Anatomy
Mild Choking
Severe Choking
Severe choking procedures for responsive Adults
Severe choking procedures for responsive Children
Severe choking procedures for responsive Infants
Severe choking procedures for responsive Neonates
Modifications to choking procedures
Respiratory Arrest
Adult CPR with an Airway Obstruction
Child CPR with an Airway Obstruction
Baby CPR with an Airway Obstruction
Neonatal CPR with an Airway Obstruction
Assisted Ventilations
Team-based Assisted Ventilations for an Adult or Child
Team-based Assisted Ventilations for an Infant or Neonate
How to use an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)
How to use a Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
How to use a manual airway suction device

Oxygen Therapy

When a patient is unable to breath effectively, particularly during respiratory or cardiac arrest, their blood oxygen levels rapidly decline. Without adequate oxygen levels in the blood, the cells of the body cannot function normally and quickly begin to malfunction and die. Particularly if you are providing rescue breaths or assisted ventilations, the patient is likely not getting the amount of oxygen they require for normal health and function. Providing supplemental oxygen can make a huge difference in the corresponding cell perfusion during respitatory distress, respiratory arrest, or cardiac arrest, or when the patient is going into shock.

Normal atmospheric air contains about 20-21% oxygen while exhaled air during unsupplemented rescue breathing contains about 16% oxygen. The use of supplemental oxygen to a pocket mask during rescue breaths can bring this up to about 40%, while the use of a Bag-Valve Mask with supplemental oxygen flow can provide 90-100% oxygen from each respiration. The proper use of a Pulse Oximeter can help gauge the effectiveness of your efforts by measuring the blood oxygen levels. Oxygen Therapy skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course and materials include...

How to use a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM)
How to use an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)
How to use a Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
How to use a Manual Suction device
How to use an Oxygen Cylinder
How to use an Oxygen Regulator
How to use an Oxygen Mask
How to use a Non-Rebreather Mask
How to use a Nasal Canula
How to use a Pulse Oximeter

CPR & AED

Cardiac arrest is another very common medical emergency, which requires the performance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in an attempt to revive a patient without a pulse. Your BLS training course includes learning and practicing CPR at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level. BLS includes a team based "pit-crew" approach to CPR, the use of supplemental oxgyen, an AED, and high-performance roles performed and coordinated efficiently by each member of your medical response team.

High fidelity CPR begins with quick recognition of cardiac arrest followed by immediate chest compressions at a depth of at least 2 inches (for an adult) and at a rate of 100 - 120 compressions per minute. Compressions should be followed by the application and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) which can administer an electrical shock to the heart and "reset" it to normal function when Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation are analyzed and detected. The next priority for quality CPR is providing ventilations/rescue breaths using a Bag-Valve-Mask with high-flow oxygen set to 15 liters per minute (lpm). The national standard for CPR compression to ventilation ratios is 30 compressions for every 2 breaths (30:2), however some specific agencies in BC may follow a regional guideline which stipulates a 10:1 ratio instead.

For purposes of performing CPR, anyone over the age of 9 (and/or the onset of puberty) is considered an Adult. Patients between the ages of 1 year and 9 years are considered Children, and patients under the age of 1 are considered Infants. There is an additional sub-set of Infants who are less than 28 days old referred to as Neonates. Although the basic principles of high fidelity CPR remain the same across patients of all ages, there are some logistical differences in performing CPR on smaller bodies. These differences include modified compressions, smaller ventilations, and performing CPR at a compression:ventilation ratio of 15:2. Basic Life Support and Cardiac Arrest management skills, tools and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support course and materials include...

How to perform CPR & AED for an Adult patient
How to perform CPR & AED for a Child patient
How to perform CPR & AED for an Infant patient
How to perform CPR & AED for a Neonatal patient
How to perform high-performance Pit Crew style CPR and AED
How to perform Basic Life Support (BLS)
How to provide care for a Responsive Choking Adult
How to provide care for a Responsive Choking Child
How to provide care for a Responsive Choking Infant
How to perform CPR & AED with an ongoing airway obstruction

Occupational Stress Injury

Nobody would dispute that professional football and hockey players are exposed to exponentially more physical trauma on a daily basis than the average person. Correspondingly, these elite athletes also incur physical injuries at greater freqency and of greater severity than most. Therefore, professional athletes adopt disciplined regimens of preventative physical training and immediately seek physical therapy to restore normal function when injuries occur, in order to secure a long and healthy career. A professional athlete is not disqualified from competing simply because their bones are not unbreakable, nor are they stigmatized for sensibly seeking expert medical treatment to heal.

Professional medical responders must acknowledge that they are similarly exposed to exaggerated levels of emotional and psychological trauma, and take the same attitude and approach as professional athletes do towards prevention, treatment and self-care. Having frequent, normalized conversations about the normal reactions to abnormal situations and circumstances that first responders are exposed to on a regular basis, which challenge deeply held values, should be no different than discussing a broken ankle or sprained knee. Emergency responders should not expect themselves or others to be immune to the effects of mental stress any more than a football player is expected to have unbreakable bones.

Long term psychological health can be facilitated by adopting an overall healthy lifestyle that includes regular and sufficient sleep, proper nutrition and regular exercise accompanied by as much time as possible doing enjoyable activities with friends and family. It will also likely be necessary to acknowledge the presence of Occupational Stress Injury (OSI) and seek whatever professional resources are necessary to prevent long-term disability. You cannot take proper care of your patients (at least not for long) if you do not take responsiblity for and proper care of your own physical and mental health. A lifestyle that promotes long-term mental and physical wellness includes...

Healthy eating habits that include a sensible balance of nutritional and dietary needs
A structured and disciplined approach to sufficient sleep cycles
Regular exercise and activities which build strength and endurance
Normalized ongoing conversations about exposure to abnormal circumstances
Ample and time with friends and family spent on enjoyable activities
Maintaining current training and education to ensure you are performing your duties responsibly
Ongoing education about Occupational Stress Injury (OSI)
Professional counseling or medical assistance when needed
Acceptance that you are not immune to stress
Acceptance that recovery may not occur as quickly as you like
Acceptance that everyone reacts differently to the same circumstances and that all reactions are "normal".
Self-awareness of the signs and symptoms of cumulative or acute Occupational Stress Injury (OSI)
Continuous and ongoing access to local, Provincial, Federal or employer specific Occupational Stress Injury resources

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