In healthcare and social care settings, knowing how to perform effective Basic Life Support (BLS) is more than just a regulatory requirement—it's a critical skill that can mean the difference between life and death. Whether you’re a seasoned healthcare professional or new to the field, ensuring your BLS skills are up to date is essential. At The Mandatory Training Group, we offer comprehensive practical resuscitation courses designed to meet compliance standards and truly prepare you for real-world emergencies. Our expert-led training sessions, available weekly in London, Coventry, and Manchester, provide the hands-on experience needed to act confidently in any emergency situation.

Key definitions

What is basic life support (BLS)?

Basic Life Support (BLS) refers to the level of medical care used for victims of life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care at a hospital. It includes techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Adult and paediatric basic life support

While based on the same principles, adult BLS and paediatric BLS differ in application due to variations in anatomy and physiology between adults and children. This training ensures that professionals can effectively respond to cardiac emergencies in both adults and children.

Image by LightFieldStudios via Envato Elements

Image by Rawpixel via Envato Elements

Key facts and statistics

• Heart attacks in the UK - Each year, approximately 100,000 hospital admissions are due to heart attacks, which equates to one every five minutes.
• Cardiac arrests - Around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur annually in the UK, with survival rates currently at less than 10%.
• Importance of CPR - Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest.
• Refresher training benefits - Studies show that skills and knowledge acquired in BLS training can degrade within a few months. Regular refresher courses are essential to maintain proficiency and confidence.

Debunking myths about basic life support

• Myth: "I’ve had BLS training once, so I’m fully prepared for any emergency."

• Fact: Skills in CPR and AED use can deteriorate rapidly without regular practice. Regular refresher courses are crucial to maintaining competency.

• Myth: "Only healthcare professionals need to know BLS."

• Fact: BLS is a vital skill for everyone, but it's a mandatory requirement for healthcare and social care professionals and must be updated annually.

• Myth: "There’s no difference between online and face-to-face BLS training."

• Fact: While online training provides a theoretical understanding, face-to-face sessions offer hands-on experience with manikins and real-time feedback from trainers.

Image by YuriArcursPeopleimages via Envato Elements

Image by RossHelen via Envato Elements

Why train with The Mandatory Training Group?

Recommendations for effective BLS training

• Regular refresher courses - Attend refresher training at least annually to keep your skills sharp and stay up-to-date with the latest guidelines.
• Practice makes perfect - Use any opportunity to practise your BLS skills, whether in simulations, drills, or using online resources.
• Stay informed - Keep abreast of the latest research and updates in resuscitation science, as guidelines can change based on new evidence.

Image by nazariykarkhut via Envato Elements

Image by LightFieldStudios via Envato Elements

Elevate your skills with quality practical resuscitation training

Basic Life Support is a vital skill for healthcare and social care professionals. The Mandatory Training Group provides quality, expert-led face-to-face training that goes beyond the basics. Our courses are designed to build confidence, competence, and compliance, equipping you with the skills to act effectively in emergencies.

If you’re looking to enhance your life-saving skills, our comprehensive resuscitation sessions are the perfect solution. With our hands-on, practical approach, expert trainers, and state-of-the-art facilities, we offer a learning experience that truly prepares you for real-world emergencies.

Ready to level up your life-saving skills?

Don’t wait to elevate your resuscitation skills. Book your spot today for our next resuscitation training session in London, Coventry, or Manchester and experience the difference in quality training. Secure your place now and ensure you’re prepared to make a life-saving difference.

Image by LightFieldStudios via Envato Elements

About the author

Anna Nova Galeon

Anna, our wordsmith extraordinaire, plays a pivotal role in quality assurance. She collaborates seamlessly with subject matter experts and marketers to meet stringent quality standards. Her linguistic precision and meticulous attention to detail elevate our content, ensuring prominence, clarity, and alignment with global quality benchmarks.