Life Support Training For Staff

FAQs Answered

Most people are familiar with the concept of first aid training, especially if they work in a school or if they work in a shop that requires machinery operation or the handling of animals.

However, when it comes to life support and the training that surrounds this, many people assume that you need to be trained in the medical field in order to undertake such skill sets. So, many people are often puzzled as to why having this kind of training is required in a standard workplace.

The reasons why your employer wants you to undertake this training should be discussed prior to the course. But it’s worth noting that, in general, it is an incredibly good skill set to have that you can put onto any résumé that you make, and provided that you stay up to date with modern training courses, this is a skill set that can not only make you more employable, but it can save lives.

With that said, it is likely that you will have some questions relating to these training courses, and this article aims to answer some of the most frequently searched questions about basic life support certification.

What is Involved in a Life Support Training Course?

Basic life support training is aimed at preparing essential personnel or, in some cases, all members of staff to prepare and act in the event of a life-threatening emergency. So, unlike first aid, which deals with minor injuries, life support training deals with incidents that are more severe.

These courses include practicing techniques such as CPR, airway breathing control, using a bag valve, and other emergency treatments. You will also be shown how to use an emergency defibrillator. You will also be taught about the differences between handling adults, babies, children, and even pregnant adults and how to apply life support to these different groups safely and effectively.

How Long is the Training Valid For?

This will usually vary based on where you are located, but a basic life support certificate lasts for three years.

However, if you’re working in an environment such as healthcare, you may be required to undertake additional life support training at more regular interims than this, so you can stay up to date with the most modern methods, which may be being brought in relating to equipment and other procedures.

I’m Doing Basic Life Support—When Should I Stop?

It is a common scenario that many people envision when they are learning life support training. They have a colleague who has fallen to the floor and is not breathing, so they begin administering CPR, but when exactly do you stop? There are a few scenarios where this is suitable. The first, and most ideal situation, is when the person you are administering CPR to shows signs of life or wakes up altogether. Remember, CPR is helping somebody to breathe when they are not breathing. Next, if you become physically exhausted, you should ask somebody else on your team to carry on for you, and this is actually a core advantage of having an entire team who are trained in life support. You can also stop administering CPR when the emergency team in the ambulance arrives and takes over for you.

Can You Learn Life Support Skills Online?

You can learn some of the life support skills online, but many employers will prefer you to have a full hands-on day course. After all, it will be very hard to learn how to do chest compressions effectively without a resuscitation dummy to hand. Doing such skills in person also offers you the opportunity to have somebody trained in life support overlooking what you are doing and advising you on how to alter your techniques if you are doing them incorrectly.

Why Does My Employer Want Me to Have This Skill Set?

There are many potential reasons why your employer wants you to have this skill set, but if you work in a frontline healthcare setting such as a hospital, a psychiatric ward, or a nursing home, this question should be rendered moot as it should be obvious!

If you work in a shop, work with children, or work on a building site, it may seem excessive to have life support training, but it makes the workplace safer for everybody, especially if all members of staff have it. So, if one person collapses or becomes ill, there will always be a staff member on hand to save their life. It makes the workplace safer as you and your colleagues will be working together to remove potential hazards that could lead to an accident, and it also improves your employability. Looking for CPR courses in Oakville? Click here.