EMS Education - Advisor: Basic Life Support (BLS)

 

The Advisor: Basic Life Support (BLS) program is a specialized certification pathway developed by the AHA for individuals who have successfully completed the cognitive portion of the HeartCode® BLS course but cannot physically perform the motor skills of CPR due to a disability.

Rather than demonstrating the physical actions (like chest compressions or AED pad placement), participants demonstrate competency by advising another person through those steps — showing they fully understand the why, when, and how of BLS.

Purpose & Importance

This program:

• Promotes inclusivity in lifesaving education by recognizing that knowledge is just as critical as physical ability.
• Allows people with physical disabilities to become certified in BLS and empowered to guide and direct others during a real cardiac emergency.
• Increases the number of trained individuals in a given community who can contribute during a medical crisis — even if they aren't able to perform CPR themselves.

Eligibility and Certification

To earn the Advisor: BLS certification card, participants must:

1. Pass the HeartCode® BLS Provider Course cognitive exam (the same as all BLS providers).

Successfully demonstrate their ability to verbally direct another person in performing:

• High-quality CPR
• AED use
• Basic resuscitation team skills

This is assessed by an AHA instructor, who ensures that the candidate can provide accurate, timely, and effective instructions that align with AHA guidelines.

The issued certification card is an Advisor: BLS card, which is distinct from the standard BLS Provider card — but still represents formal AHA-recognized certification.

Who Is It For?

This program is designed for:

• Individuals with physical disabilities that prevent them from completing hands-on CPR testing.
• Candidates who want to contribute to emergency preparedness in workplaces, schools, or communities, even if they cannot perform compressions themselves.

Impact and Accessibility

The Advisor: BLS program aligns with the AHA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in resuscitation science and training. By expanding the definition of who can be trained and certified, the program:

• Acknowledges the contributions and capabilities of persons with disabilities.
• Increases the total number of CPR-capable bystanders in society — a crucial factor in improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes.
• Encourages organizations to embrace broader emergency readiness by including all capable team members.

Learn more about it here: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-program-developed-for-persons-with-disabilities-to-advise-others-on-cpr

EMS Basic Life Support - Debunking Common Myths About CPR

Proper education and awareness about the lifesaving practice of CPR are essential. Unfortunately, several widely held misconceptions discourage many people from becoming CPR-certified.

While the following information is not intended to replace the instruction provided in certification courses, it is valuable knowledge that can help dispel myths and encourage more individuals to pursue CPR training.

Myth #1: Only Professionals Can Safely and Effectively Perform CPR

Truth #1: According to the American Heart Association, CPR initiated immediately by a bystander can triple a victim’s chances of survival. Anyone can learn and perform CPR after basic training, making widespread education and certification crucial in improving survival rates.

Myth #2: You Can Learn CPR by Watching an Online Video

Truth #2: While online videos can provide useful information, they should be produced, sponsored, and taught by reputable organizations. More importantly, CPR training includes a critical hands-on component - effective chest compressions - that cannot be mastered through video instruction alone. Proper technique requires in-person training and practice.

Myth #3: You Can Get in Trouble or Injure Someone If You Perform CPR Incorrectly

Truth #3: Good Samaritan laws protect individuals who perform CPR in good faith and without willful misconduct or negligence. The risk of legal consequences is minimal, and the potential harm of not performing CPR far outweighs the risk of performing it incorrectly. Immediate intervention can make the difference between life and death.

Myth #4: You Must Perform Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing When Performing CPR

Truth #4: The idea of providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a stranger may be uncomfortable for some, but hands-only CPR is highly effective. When chest compressions are performed at the correct rate and depth, they help circulate oxygenated blood until emergency responders arrive.

Myth #5: CPR Should Be Performed Only After Calling 911

Truth #5: CPR should begin immediately when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Ideally, one person should call 911 while another starts CPR. Delaying CPR can significantly reduce a victim’s chance of survival. Additionally, victims who exhibit irregular, noisy breathing or gasping may still benefit from immediate chest compressions.

The Importance of CPR Certification

Beyond addressing these common myths, formal CPR training provides in-depth knowledge and hands-on practice to ensure confidence and competence in a real emergency. Becoming CPR-certified is not only an invaluable skill but also a profound act of service to your loved ones, those under your care, and your community.

Recommended CPR Training Providers: 

Bethesda, Wales, UK: Active First Aid

Littleton, Colorado, USA: Colorado Cardiac CPR

International: Crossing Latitudes 

EMS History - The American Heart Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) was established in 1924 by a group of six cardiologists in response to the growing concern over the lack of research and information about heart disease. At the time of its founding, heart disease was becoming a leading cause of death in the United States, yet there was limited understanding of its causes and prevention methods.

The rationale behind the establishment of the AHA stemmed from the need to address this gap in knowledge and to advocate for increased awareness, research, and education about heart health. The founders recognized the urgent need for a centralized organization dedicated to combating heart disease, promoting cardiovascular research, and disseminating information to both healthcare professionals and the general public.

The AHA's mission focuses on reducing disability and death caused by cardiovascular diseases and stroke. To achieve this mission, the association engages in various activities, including funding research grants, developing guidelines for the treatment and prevention of heart disease and stroke, advocating for public policies that promote heart health, and providing educational resources and programs to communities and healthcare professionals.

Over the years, the AHA has played a crucial role in advancing cardiovascular science and improving public health outcomes. Its initiatives have led to significant advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease and stroke. Through partnerships with medical professionals, policymakers, advocacy groups, and the public, the AHA continues to work towards its goal of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Further Reading:

American Heart Association (ND) History of CPR - Highlights from the 16th Century to the 21st Century. Retrieved from https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/history-of-cpr 

Emergency Medicine Matters - After Concussion, Return to Normality

 Image Credit: Child Brain Injury Trust UK

The After Concussion, Return to Normality (ACoRN) leaflet is a great new resource which details expected signs of concussion and provides a comprehensive step by step guide of how to manage these signs. 

The resource was designed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. However, it can be downloaded and edited to allow healthcare teams across the United Kingdom, and further afield, to put their own logo and department details on the resource, as they wish.

Credit goes to Mark Lilley, Paediatric Major Trauma Coordinator for all their efforts in developing this resource. This will be a valuable resource for many families.

You can download this resource here.

Image Credit: Child Brain Injury Trust UK

#LifeIsPrecious #FamilyMatters #HomeHealth

NOLS Wilderness First Responder

 

Wilderness first responder training courses focus on teaching the students to assess a situation, improvise solutions using available resources to stabilize the patient and identify the best way to get the patient to definitive medical treatment.

Go to: www.nols.edu

#WildernessMedicine #WildernessFirstResponder #CPR

Emergency Medicine Matters - Use of Adrenaline in Anaphylaxis

Image Credit: Backpacking Mastery

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency and is one of the most stressful medical conditions that an expedition medic could face. Fortunately, the condition is reversible with prompt administration of adrenaline by intramuscular injection.

Because the onset of anaphylaxis can be very fast, an adrenaline auto-injector can be very useful upon witnessing the first signs of a severe reaction.

Signs of a severe reaction include:

• Swelling in the throat (altered voice, difficulty swallowing or breathing) and extremities (if stung).

• Wheezing

• Dizziness, feeling faint, tiredness (symptoms of low blood pressure)

The most commonly seen auto-injectors are still EpiPen®. Certainly, this brand is most commonly carried by children and adults in the UK setting. Therefore it may be that some participants on expeditions may carry these.

Figure 1 - EpiPen® Auto-Injector

All auto-injectors should be injected into the muscle of the outer thigh.

There has been a recent slight change in the guidance for administration for EpiPen®.

There is no change to the device or the drug (adrenaline); the change is in the instructions for use as outlined below:

    • Reduced injection time from 10 seconds down to 3 seconds – this is based on research confirming the delivery of adrenaline for 3 seconds is sufficient.

    • Removal of the massage step after the injection – this step has been removed to simplify the process of administering EpiPen®.

The changes above are aimed to improve patient compliance.

Image Credit: Backpacking Mastery

Remember that anyone who uses an auto-injector must have had training in its use (as they are all slightly different). However, it is a drug that can be administered by a non-health care professional in the UK setting if required to treat a patient with anaphylaxis.

It is hoped that the manufacturers of the other auto-injectors (Jext and Emerade) available in the UK will also change their guidelines to match those of EpiPen®.

Wilderness Medical Training recommends the use of Emerade as the autoinjector of choice as each one contains 0.5mg adrenaline (Resus Council UK guideline dose) rather than the 0.3mg adrenaline dose in the EpiPen®.

The guidance for the Emerade auto-injector remains to hold the autoinjector against the thigh for 5 seconds.

Figure 2 - Technique for use of the Emerade Auto-injector

#BasicLifeSupport #FirstAid #EmergencyMedicine

NREMT Emergency Medical Responder

Emergency Medical Responders provide immediate lifesaving care to critical patients who access the emergency medical services system. EMRs have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide immediate lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional EMS resources to arrive. 

EMRs also provide assistance to higher-level personnel at the scene of emergencies and during transport. Emergency Medical Responders are a vital part of the comprehensive EMS response. Under medical oversight, Emergency Medical Responders perform basic interventions with minimal equipment.

Go to: www.nremt.org

NOLS Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness first aid training courses focus on preparing students for the unexpected, taking a hands-on approach to learning about applying first aid skills in the backcountry. 

Participants are taught how to provide effective treatments for common injuries and illnesses in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions.

If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you.

Go to: www.nols.edu