BLS certification FAQ - basic life support questions answered

Written by Jessica Munoz DPN, RN, CEN

Basic Life Support (BLS) course provides training to medical professionals, equipping them with skills to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies. This page answers some frequently asked questions about the BLS course to help participants prepare for the course and have clarity.

• I did not find the reference for delivering a shock from an AED if the patient is in water, such as was on the exam.

  Remove the patient from standing water before applying an AED. Dry the chest quickly so the pads adhere and do not let the patient or rescuers stand in puddles. Once the surface is dry, place the pads and deliver the shock as instructed by the AED voice prompts.

• In Canada, what level is your CPR (“BLS”) course?

  We are CPR-C level also known as “Healthcare Provider” level. This is the course for healthcare provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.

• My current certification has expired. Can I use these courses to become recertified?

  Please choose “certification” if you have never taken this course (whether with us or anyone else) or if your last training was more than five years ago today. You do not need to provide a copy of your certificate to us. Options are available on our sign up page.

• I was looking at your page for references in regards to cardiac arrest. I noticed this webpage https://acls.net/bls-healthcare-provider-algorithm-vf-pulseless-vt was titled “BLS Healthcare Provider Algorithm for Managing VF and Pulseless VT,” however the information and the PDFs are all referring to Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care. I also looked to see if the VF/VT with AED and VF/VT with no AED pdfs were different, but they are the same PDF, which has the ROCS algorithm.

  We removed the BLS Healthcare Provider Algorithm for Managing VF and Pulseless VT.

• Should compressions rescue start before rescue breaths? Is PETCO2 the same as carbon monoxide? In a code, should I be ventilating once every 6 seconds or twice after 30 compressions?

  If no pulse and no respirations are present, start CPR with a compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2 if no definitive airway is in place. If the patient has a definitive airway, perform continuous compression with 1 breath every 6 seconds. During a code, the use of Quantitative waveform capnography (PETCO₂) is used to monitor CPR quality and to indicate ROSC. This is exhaled CO₂.
  100–120 per minute refers to the speed at which they are done not the number of compressions in a 60-second period. To test students, perform 30 compressions and 2 ventilations in an 18-second time frame.

• I am a respiratory manager. I am having some conflicts with the nursing manager. I did read for BLS, that medical people can give a breath every 6 seconds, and no need to stop CPR. The nursing manager states that ACLS requires 30:2. So she does not want us to give a breath until 30 compressions are done. We have always given a breath every 6 seconds and not stopped CPR. Could you please let me know for the hospital how this should be done?

  Both are correct. Patients without intubation (definitely airway) are ventilated at a compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2. Once the patient has a definitive airway, ventilation is continuous for 2 minutes with respirations of 1 breath every 6 seconds. Before intubation, a pause is necessary to permit lung expansion. Every 2 minutes you do a pulse check and switch rescuers doing compressions.

• A pdf course summary from the Red Cross recommends a minimum compression fraction of 80% vs 60% as printed on your course. What accounts for the difference? Here is where I found the Red Cross information: https://cdn.redcross.ca/prodmedia/crc/documents/Canadian-Consensus-Guidelines-document-Feb-2016_EN_Final.pdf

  Chest compression fraction measures how much of the CPR cycle is spent on compressions. The American Heart Association training materials set a goal of at least 60%, while some Red Cross documents cite 80% as their target. We follow the AHA curriculum, so our printed algorithms reference their ≥60% benchmark.

• How long does the course last?

  Our courses expire after one year. If you need to access your course after one year, please email us at support@ACLS.netEmail and we can extend it for you.

• What happens after I pass the test?

  Once you pass the test, you will first receive a notification that you passed and we will show you which questions that you missed. You will also be able to download an instant PDF version of your certification. Finally, if requested we will mail you a physical copy of your certificate.