Basic Life Support

Basic Life Support (BLS): Adults, Children and Infants

Face-to-face training with CPR, AED and choking-response practice

About the course

This practical course helps learners recognise life-threatening emergencies and provide immediate Basic Life Support while emergency services or the appropriate clinical response team are being called.

Delivered by Clarivive MedInsight, the course combines clear explanations, trainer demonstrations and supervised practice. Learners develop their skills using adult, child and infant manikins, AED trainers and realistic scenarios.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for care assistants, healthcare assistants, support workers, senior carers, domiciliary care staff, supported living staff, agency workers, nurses and other healthcare professionals requiring initial or refresher BLS training.

It also supports workplace teams and organisations whose staff may need to respond to an emergency. Examples and discussions reflect learners’ roles and working environments.

Why it matters

Cardiac arrest and severe choking require immediate action. Early recognition, prompt emergency assistance, effective CPR and timely AED use can improve the chances of survival.

Knowing the theory is only part of being prepared. Supervised practice helps learners apply the correct techniques, identify mistakes and respond more confidently under pressure.

The course includes

1. Scene safety, personal protection and initial emergency response.
2. Recognising unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing, including gasping.
3. Calling 999, following call-handler instructions and activating local emergency arrangements.
4. Adult, child and infant Basic Life Support sequences.
5. Opening the airway and assessing breathing.
6. Age-appropriate chest-compression techniques and rescue breaths.
7. Understanding when compression-only CPR may be needed.
8. Safe AED use, pad placement and considerations for children and infants.
9. Recognising and responding to choking in adults, children and infants.
10. Appropriate use of the recovery position and continued monitoring.
11. Working with others, allocating immediate tasks and communicating clearly.
12. Handover, documentation and reporting after an emergency.
13. Recognising personal limits and following workplace procedures.
14. Realistic scenarios, individual practical assessment and constructive feedback.

What learners will gain

By the end of the course, successful learners will be able to demonstrate a structured BLS response, adapt the techniques to the person’s age, use an AED safely and communicate effectively while further help is arranged.

How the course is delivered

Training takes place face to face through short teaching sessions, demonstrations, guided practice and scenario-based activities. Learners have opportunities to ask questions, repeat techniques and receive feedback before assessment.

Practical exercises use training equipment. CPR and choking interventions are practised on suitable manikins or training devices.

Assessment and certification

Learners complete a knowledge assessment and individual practical assessments. Each learner must demonstrate the required skills; watching another person perform them is not sufficient.

Successful completion requires attendance for the required training and achievement of the assessment criteria. Learners who meet these requirements receive a Clarivive MedInsight course certificate. Anyone needing further development receives feedback and information about the next assessment steps.

Preparing for your session

Complete your pre-training declaration and wear comfortable clothing suitable for practical activities, including working at floor level.

Tell us beforehand about any accessibility, learning, communication or health-related support needs. You may request a private discussion so appropriate adjustments can be considered.

Applying your learning

Use the skills within your role, training and workplace emergency arrangements. Regular practice and refresher training help maintain readiness to respond.