Have you ever wondered why Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is basic requirement for all coaches? These skills are essential in the event that anyone suffers a cardiac arrest during your coaching session. A basic life support certificate gives you the training necessary to do things like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use an automated external defibrillator (AED) correctly, and provide basic first aid to people with injuries until professional help arrives. One of the most common reasons why people die from sudden cardiac arrest is because they don’t receive basic CPR within 10 minutes of having it happen. If you work as a coach, this could mean the difference between life and death of your team members.
Why is Basic Life Support Important For Coaches
There are roughly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests in the United States each year. For every minute it takes to provide basic CPR, the odds of surviving drop by 10%. Coaches play a vital role in not only preventing these cases but also being able to properly help those who suffer from them during their games, practices, and team downtime.
Coaches have an obligation to receive basic life support training so they can care for their team members when a life threatening cardiopulmonary event occurs. Organizations including Little League Baseball requires this for coaches. Certified coaching instructors are encouraged to make basic life support knowledge part of their preparation with regards to caring for the team.
What Steps Does It Take for a Coach to Earn BLS Certification
There are a number of steps that a coach has to take in order to become BLS certified:
1. Review basic first aid, CPR, and AED training as outlined by United Medical Education.
2. Review basic skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation as needed.
3. Work with an instructor or online training program to complete a basic certification course from United Medical Education, including basic instruction on adult/child CPR, how to use an AED, and first aid courses for life threatening emergencies or illnesses.
4. Pass a basic life support exam consisting of first aid questions and basic emergency care scenarios as well as demonstrate CPR skills and understanding.
5. Keep recertifying every two years.
The basic life support certification from United Medical Education is a great way for you to have knowledge in emergency care and receive the necessary training conveniently online. It also makes your team members feel more confident that they are safe with you running practices, games, or other events.
What is Included in BLS Certification for Coaches
Basic life support includes training for coaches that covers a variety of medical emergencies that can occur during practice or during a game.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the fundamental intervention taught. With this you will know how to respond to cardiopulmonary emergencies such as cardiac arrest or a heart attack.
You will also learn how to use an external defibrillator or AED to treat life threatening heart rhythms. While you will not learn how to read individual heart rhythms themselves, you will know how to operate a machine that does know how to read and recognize heart rhythms and gives you prompts on when to shock the victim.
You will also learn how to perform the heimlich maneuver in the event a player or fan begins to choke. Respiratory obstructions are one of the more common occurrences during games.
How Much Does BLS Certification Cost for Coaches
Coaches usually need to cover the expense of earning their online BLS certification. Fortunately, it can generally be purchased for less than $100. Registering for BLS certification and renewal online is one of the easiest and most convenient ways for trainers to learn these life saving interventions. Here at United Medical Education we have one of the most affordable online BLS certification and renewal courses available.
Where Should Coaches Get Their BLS Certification and Renewal
Here at United medical Education we make an effort to provide course material that are easy to understand and allow those new to basic life support the opportunity to learn at their own pace. We understand that coaches are not primarily healthcare providers in their day to day lives. Because of this you can go at your own pace through our illustrated training that will simplify the core concepts you need to learn.
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