Why Renew BLS Certification Regularly?

Basic Life Support (BLS) recertification is essential if you are a medical professional or caregiver in emergency response. The importance of BLS renewal is often overlooked because medical providers who work round-the-clock may need more time to commit to a recertification training program. BLS recertification ensures you are up-to-date and equipped with life-saving skills to respond in emergencies.   

BLS certification prepares participants to provide immediate care to victims of choking, drowning, or cardiac arrest. By the end of the course, participants learn CPR techniques, how to use AEDs, and become ready to be a part of multi-rescuer emergencies.

This blog explains why you should renew your BLS certification regularly and the benefits of doing so.   

Who should get a BLS certification?

Doctors, nurses, paramedics, first responders, and caregivers require a BLS certification. Some employers mandate having a BLS certification based on your work profile. With BLS training, you are qualified to act effectively in medical emergencies, ensuring you can respond confidently and competently during critical situations.

BLS recertification and renewal 

A BLS certification is valid for two years. Thus, you must apply for a BLS renewal every 24 months. The recertification process cannot be skipped as it ensures you are abreast of updated guidelines and procedures to provide optimum emergency treatment. Medical care is a dynamic field; only continuous learning practices can enhance skill and professional growth.

What to expect from a BLS renewal course
Since you are already certified, the BLS renewal training program will provide additional information and enhance your skills. 

The important characteristics of a BLS recertification course are:

The renewal course takes less time to complete as the topics are presented in a shorter format.
When you sign up for recertification, you learn about new guidelines, revised techniques, or modified procedures.
This is your chance to clarify doubts regarding a particular technique in BLS, as the recertification course covers all topics in a much more accessible form.  
Contents of BLS renewal course
The BLS recertification course includes topics covered in a BLS certification course, but it differs in structure and depth of subject matter. There are no detailed explanations; instead, concepts are delivered in a compact manner. 

The BLS recertification course includes:

Introduction to CPR and how it has evolved 
Infant, child, and adult CPR training
BLS procedures such as rescue breaths, chest compressions, and the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio
The correct use of AED, safety precautions, and proper placement of AED pads
One-rescuer and multi-rescuer CPR
Choking management and instruction on the Heimlich maneuver
Scene assessment and when to intervene
Effective communication strategies when working as a part of a resuscitation team 

Benefits of BLS recertification
Applying for BLS recertification is not an option for many medical professionals but an obligation because it is required to maintain your job. For some, it is a means to get qualified for jobs or make a winning resume. 

Anyhow, BLS renewal comes with its set of benefits, and they are:

Boosts confidence

You are aware of BLS techniques and can also employ them, but you become more confident with recertification. When you are sure of your decisions during an emergency, it lets other rescuers also work with a level of confidence to match yours.

Brush up on your skills

While BLS renewal facilitates skill enhancement, it also allows you to polish your skills. For those who do not employ techniques proposed by BLS courses daily, the renewal course is a good way to refresh your memory and act without doubt when the time comes. 

Skill enhancement

With new material in the renewal training program, you benefit from additional information to complement your existing knowledge and skills. 

Career Advancement

For some, recertification is a stepping stone to further career opportunities. Maintaining up-to-date BLS certification can make your resume stand out, demonstrating your commitment to patient care and professional growth. Sometimes, BLS recertification can open doors to new job opportunities or promotions within healthcare settings, adding value to your qualifications and enhancing your career prospects.

Unlike before, you can apply for BLS recertification online and complete the course at your own pace and convenience, wherever you are. This way, you can maintain your certification and ensure you have not forgotten those skills you need to save lives.   

Conclusion

BLS renewal should not be delayed as it ensures medical professionals are ready to respond efficiently and effectively in emergencies. Rather than viewing it as a process you need to get over with, consider it as an opportunity to improve your knowledge and learn new techniques to deliver prompt treatment to victims and increase their chances of survival. BLS recertification also helps you to stay updated with evolving procedures and guidelines. After all, immediate care and administration during emergencies determine a victim's survival rate, and by renewing BLS, you can contribute to improved patient outcomes.