Basic Life Support Certification - Online or not

[ThatQuestionGuy]

Hi,

So I have to get a BLS certification for med school, and I was wondering if I should take it online or not. The in person course seems quicker and cheaper, but less convenient. How do you practice for the skills exam if you're not physically there?

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[hector219]

It doesn't really matter. Do what is best for you.

 

[Catalystik]

At least for the initial certification, I'd take a classroom course. There's nothing like going through the motions and practicing the timing to cement what you're supposed to do. And the AED stuff: really you have to practice this to get it right.

 

[The right Path]

The credibility of an online course sounds extremely dubious. Where are you going to get a mannequin to practice CPR on? And yeah, you do need to literally practice head tilt, chin lift, jaw thrust, watching the chest rise, proper depth and speed of compressions, etc. Plus, you do need someone there to evaluate your practice! Taking half a day is not that big of an inconvenience.

It is important to learn proper technique as well, because all the ACLS interventions aren't effective without adequately circulating oxygenated blood.

Oh, and another thing, make sure that whatever class you take teaches the updated AHA algorithms.

 

[rHinO1]

I have taught BLS for 4 years. If you take the class online, you still need to go to an instructor to have your skills checked. You should find an instructor willing to check your skills BEFORE you do the class online. It is often difficult to find someone to do your skills check (oh and you have to pay for both parts separately). Before you are actually tested on the cpr dummy the instructor should let you practice and give you some guidance. However you should show up well rehersed and ready to go.

My advice is that you will get more out of the in person class. The only people I do skills checks/online classes for is RN's and even they are often unprepared and confused.

 

[rHinO1]

The credibility of an online course sounds extremely dubious. Where are you going to get a mannequin to practice CPR on? And yeah, you do need to literally practice head tilt, chin lift, jaw thrust, watching the chest rise, proper depth and speed of compressions, etc. Plus, you do need someone there to evaluate your practice! Taking half a day is not that big of an inconvenience.

It is important to learn proper technique as well, because all the ACLS interventions aren't effective without adequately circulating oxygenated blood.

Oh, and another thing, make sure that whatever class you take teaches the updated AHA algorithms.

For people who need to renew the online class is great. If they really know what they are doing. It is offerred by the American Heart Association.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

There is nothing worse than a doctor who cannot function properly during a cardiac arrest (I’ve seen it). I have been an AHA BLS Training Center Faculty member / BLS Instructor for 8+ years. My personal and professional recommendation would be to go with the live action course; it's a psychomotor skill that is best understood and cultivated through practice / repetition.

-senior medical student

 

[Hockeyguy]

ACLStest.org is the gold standard.