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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Anyone and Everyone, June 1, 2003
The Basic Life Support course should be made a requirement for everyone and anyone, the healthcare provider to the layman. Simple techniques that are taught and learnt can save lives. This is not the reponibility of the individual to make this happen, but also institutions.As a doctor I had to sit for my BLS course to join my required residency training program. The one day course teaches simple steps for safe and effective chain of survival that can help save a life of an injured person. From calling for help, to correct CPR and finally to the use of automated external defibrillators. This was the required reading material published by the American Heart Associtaion to help in understanding the basic principles of BLS. The book is easily written, mainly to help lay people understand its true meaning. As a doctor, I admit that I found some chapters boring, since the book goes on to explain simple terminology, but it is understandable the reason this was set forth, that not only doctors are priviliged to save lives, but everyone. The diagrams and drawings are top notch. Even without practicing the techniques a person can know what to do by actually looking at the drawings and knowing what to do. There are tables that demonstrate the important facts and red flags of certain diseases so that people can distinguish between a hear attack or a stroke for example. Everything is covered, the correct BLS steps for adults in distress to children of different age groups. Perhaps the most interesting would have to be the methods for preventing harm, especially in children. Topics on pregnancy, allergic reactions and the important legal issues of CPR are also handles very beautifully in this text. This is a thorough book. The questions at the end of each chapter convey the essence of the MCQs in the BLS course. These are BEST answer questions, unlike the outdated, obsolete, but still used TRUE/FALSE questions of the European ALS. A concise that should be in the library of every parent, intelligent person and, yes even those who call themselves, doctors.
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by Doni L. Bird
by William J. O'Brien
by John Baynes MS PhD
