BLS for Substance Abuse Counselors: Responding to Overdoses
When it comes to mental health professionals, being prepared for a medical emergency is crucial. That’s why substance abuse counselors should attend BLS Classes in San Diego to get certified in Basic Life Support (BLS). BLS courses are provided by American Heart Association-certified training centers like Amerimed CPR, whose classes give frontline professionals the ability to respond quickly in an overdose situation and provide critical life-saving assistance.
Substance abuse counselors are often faced with scenarios where first aid or basic life support skills are necessary. By taking a BLS course, they will learn how to recognize and respond to emergencies such as a drug overdose. The courses teach them how to assess a patient’s condition, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if needed, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available. In addition, they will learn about airway management, rescue breathing, and other important safety protocols.
The most common symptoms of an opioid or heroin overdose include difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, drowsiness, and blue-tinged skin (cyanosis). If you see someone displaying these signs, it’s essential to act quickly. First, call 911 and begin to provide CPR if necessary. To ensure you’re doing this correctly, it’s important to have completed a BLS course ahead of time. You can find classes at your local American Heart Association-certified training center like Amerimed CPR.
At Amerimed CPR, their course instructors are experienced medical professionals who have years of experience in providing care in emergency settings. During the class, participants will gain knowledge and hands-on experience in responding to emergencies and providing medical assistance. At the end of the session, students will receive an official certification in basic life support. This certification provides evidence that they are able to help in an overdose situation using evidence-based protocols.
With the ongoing opioid epidemic, substance abuse counselors need to have the necessary skills to recognize and respond effectively to overdoses. By attending a Basic Life Support course offered by an American Heart Association-certified training center like Amerimed CPR, counselors can learn the necessary skills to better provide care in an overdose scenario. Through hands-on practice and classroom instruction, BLS Classes in San Diego can help counselors become more confident in responding to medical emergencies and providing life-saving support.r
