According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide and account for about one-third of deaths. As our population ages, the prevalence of these diseases is expected to increase. This program will help prepare participants to handle these events and other life-threatening incidents. The Basic Life Support (BLS): CPR and First Aid provider program is designed to provide course participants with foundational knowledge and teach skills needed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving skills.

Just about everyone taking this course either knows someone who has died from a cardiovascular disease or knows someone who has had a friend or family member die due to a cardiovascular disease. Assist your friends, family, and community in recognizing and responding to these and other medical emergencies.

During this course, participants will become familiar with the signs and symptoms associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, as well as with other diseases and conditions that may also pose an immediate threat to life. Those conditions — such as shock, choking and external bleeding — are included in this course.

The first aid component of this course addresses additional circumstances and diseases that may require intervention and assistance from emergency medical services (EMS). Successful completion of the BLS: CPR and First Aid course includes demonstration of skill competency and passing a knowledge assessment. Upon completion, you will receive a provider card indicating that you have been trained in basic life support (including CPR) and first aid measures.