Boaters Have a New Option for Learning CPR and First Aid

By DAN Boater

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According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases, or CVDs, are the most common cause of death worldwide. In 2016, an estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs, representing 31% of all global deaths. Of these, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.

As our population ages, the prevalence of these diseases is expected to increase.

The American Heart Association states that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provided by a bystander immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim's chance of survival. Brain death starts to occur four to six minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest if no CPR and defibrillation occurs during that time.

The Basic Life Support (BLS): CPR and First Aid provider course, which meets ILCOR/AHA 2015 Guidelines, will help prepare you to handle these and other life-threatening incidents. The course is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge and to teach you the skills needed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving skills.

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

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 the 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. And for boaters seeking a captain's license, a certificate of training is available to indicate you have met the United States Coast Guard's training and competency requirements of:

• 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)
• 46 CFR 11.302(a)(3)
• 46 CFR 12.602(a)(3), and
• STCW Code Table A-VI/1-3

First Responder Roles and Responsibilities

First aid is providing initial care for an injury or illness. The three key aims of first aid are to:

1. preserve life,
2. prevent the condition from worsening, and
3. promote recovery.

Since emergency-response skills deteriorate with time, retraining is required every two years to maintain BLS: CPR and First Aid provider certification. Regular practice is encouraged, when possible, to retain skill proficiency. All skills performed in an emergency should be within the scope of one’s training.

Course Prerequisites

There are no course prerequisites for participation in the BLS: CPR and First Aid course.

Course Format and Outline

The BLS: CPR and First Aid course uses a blended learning format comprised of self-paced online study -- with videos, student reading material, and quizzes -- and live hands-on skill instruction and assessment in the classroom.

In this course, you will develop the following skills:

• Scene safety assessment
• Initial, F-A-S-T, and secondary assessments
• Recovery position technique
• Donning and removing gloves
• CPR techniques
• Automated external defibrillator (AED) use
• Obstructed airway management
• Control of external bleeding
• Bandaging, wound management and splinting
• Shock management
• Severe allergic reaction and/or opioid overdose

How to Get Started

Visit the DAN Instructor Training Directory to locate a BLS: CPR and First Aid Instructor near you.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is encouraged in the form of additional training courses such as Neurological Assessment, Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries, and First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, supervised practice sessions, reading current literature and refresher training. Your BLS Instructor can provide information about these programs.