‘BCLS certified’ means that a person has completed training and passed the test in Basic Cardiac Life Support. The certification program for BCLS, or simply BLS (Basic Life Support), is open to any person and does not require any degree or diploma. The only requirements are to undergo a training program and pass the test which is given afterwards. After passing the test, a person can be considered BCLS certified.
Basic Cardiac Life Support basically involves training people to know what to do or how to help during emergencies. Program trainees are first taught victim assessment, and this involves checking for signs of life. This part of the program is especially useful if CPR, or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, is needed. Through BCLS programs, people will not only be taught how to administer CPR, but they will also be trained on how to use AEDs, or automatic external defibrillators. Both CPR and AEDs may be required during an emergency, and this is why training on both items is part of the BCLS certification program. Trainees of the same program are also taught with techniques to help choking victims. All of this training is basically done in order to prevent serious damage to the heart and/or the brain of the victim. The main point of being BCLS certified is to be able to spring into immediate action once needed during a medical emergency. This is because the timing of intervention is very crucial at the start of any medical emergency. While waiting for paramedics or getting patients to the hospital, for example, intervention through BCLS should already be given in order to preserve life and prevent the possible death of the victims.
Many healthcare professionals, including nurses and paramedics for example, are required to become BCLS certified. Certification, though, is not limited to medical personnel and may be given to ordinary people who wish to acquire BCLS skills and possibly save lives in the future. The training for BCLS certification only involves basic intervention skills during an emergency, and this is the reason that no medical knowledge is necessary to complete the course and take the certification exam.