Why is Resuscitation Education So Important?
Cardiac arrest is one of the most time-critical medical emergencies. When it occurs outside hospital, survival depends almost entirely on how quickly bystanders recognise the emergency, start CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In the UK, ambulance services attend an estimated 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year, yet resuscitation is attempted in fewer than half of these cases — often because no early CPR was provided or help was called too late.
Even when CPR is started, outcomes remain poor, with fewer than 1 in 10 people surviving to leave hospital. The most significant improvements come from increasing the number of people who know how to respond confidently and immediately.
By training and empowering more people to perform effective CPR, and by increasing access to and use of AEDs, we can strengthen the community response to cardiac arrest and help save many more lives every year. This course provides a practical and achievable first step for anyone who may be first on scene in an emergency.
Course Overview
This Basic Life Support (BLS) & Automated External Defibrillator (AED) course is designed for anyone who may need to provide immediate life support before emergency services arrive. Training is delivered by practising clinicians who bring real-world experience to every session, ensuring you gain practical, relevant skills that can be applied with confidence.
All of our courses can be delivered on-site at your location, at a date and time that suits your team, or arranged at one of our RCMS training venues.
Course Length:
At least 2-2.5 contact hours
Course Assessment:
Continuous assessment throughout the session
Learning Outcomes
Delegates who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of attendance and will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the chain of survival
- Demonstrate the principles of initial assessment and a structured approach
- Use resuscitation equipment appropriately, including the safe and effective use of an AED
- Perform effective Basic Life Support (BLS) skills
- Demonstrate the management of choking casualties
- Demonstrate the management of an unconscious casualty, including the recovery position
Course Structure and Programme
All candidates receive a training pack including medical emergency flow charts and action plans to use as an aide-mémoire after the course.
- Incidence of cardiac arrest and understanding the chain of survival
- Recognition of acute coronary syndromes, including chest pain
- Structured approach to patient management and effective teamwork
- Choking management – back blows and abdominal thrusts
- Managing the unconscious patient, including safe positioning and the recovery position
- Rescue breaths and “no-blow” CPR (e.g. COVID-adapted methods where appropriate)
- High-quality CPR techniques, including rate, depth and recoil
- Use of resuscitation equipment including AED and oxygen
- Scene safety and hazards during resuscitation
- Maintenance and audit of resuscitation equipment to ensure readiness
Basic Life Support & AED Course – Frequently Asked Questions
This course is ideal for anyone who may be required to provide life-saving support in an emergency, including dental professionals, healthcare workers, care staff, first responders, workplace First Aiders and members of the public. No prior medical experience is required.
Yes. This course meets the Basic Life Support training needs of dental teams, primary care clinicians and other healthcare professionals. It aligns with Resuscitation Council UK guidance and supports CPD and clinical governance requirements.
Yes. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance confirming that you have completed Basic Life Support and AED training and demonstrated the required skills. This certificate is suitable for CPD records and compliance audits.
The course duration is approximately 2 to 2.5 contact hours, depending on group size and participation. It includes a mix of short teaching sessions, demonstrations and hands-on practical training.
There is no written exam. Assessment is continuous and practical, based on your participation in the session and your ability to demonstrate key life support skills during the course scenarios.
No. All training equipment, including manikins, AED trainers and resuscitation kits, is provided. If you are part of a clinical team, we may also incorporate your own practice equipment to increase familiarity and relevance.
You will learn how to:
- Assess an emergency using a structured A–E approach
- Perform high-quality adult CPR
- Use an AED safely and effectively
- Manage choking, unconsciousness and cardiac arrest
- Use emergency resuscitation equipment such as oxygen and oral airways (where appropriate)
- Manage the scene and communicate effectively as part of a team in an emergency
Training can be delivered at your workplace or clinical practice on a date and time to suit your team. We can also arrange open courses at our training centres on request.
Yes. The course follows Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) standards for adult Basic Life Support and AED use, incorporating current best practice for emergency response in both healthcare and community settings.
Resuscitation Council UK recommends that BLS and AED skills are updated at least once a year to keep knowledge and performance current. This course is suitable for both initial training and annual refreshers.
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Simply complete the form below and one of our practising healthcare professionals will be in touch shortly to discuss your training needs or answer any questions you may have.
Contact Details
Whether you’d like to discuss your training requirements, book a course, or get expert advice, our friendly clinical team would love to hear from you.
Phone: 0333 0122 999
Email: info@rcmstraining.co.uk
Resuscitation Consultancy Medical Services Ltd
86 Forest Walk
Buckley, Flintshire
CH7 3AR
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed