Imagine that you are at a family reunion when Uncle Joe collapses and clutches his chest. You panic, but remember the BCLS course you completed last summer. You leap into action in your jeans and t-shirt, feeling like a hero. This is the power of BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support).

BCLS is not just for health professionals. It’s for everyone. It is about knowing how to react quickly when someone’s body decides to stop working. Imagine yourself as the lifeguard of a pool party.

First, you must recognize cardiac arrest. You should act if someone collapses, is not breathing or is only gasping. Think of this as a ticking bomb, with each second counting down.

Call 911 now. It’s not the time to “wait and watch”. The quicker emergency services arrive, the better.

CPR is next for those who like long words. Push hard and fast, about 100-120 compressions a minute. You’ll be on the right track if you’re picturing “Stayin’ Alive”, by the Bee Gees.

Even if you’ve never received formal CPR training, even imperfect CPR will increase your chances of survival over doing nothing. Keep going until you get help or an AED is available.

Speaking of AEDs, these little gadgets are lifesavers–literally! Even your Aunt Betty, who is not tech-savvy, can use them without any problems. It’s easy to use. Just turn it on and follow the voice instructions.

Let’s go back a little bit. How do you get to the point where you are a hero? These days, taking a BCLS class is as easy as ordering pizza online. Some workplaces, community centers, and hospitals offer these courses regularly.

You’ll be able to practice chest compressions with dummies who won’t complain when you make a mistake. This is a great way to boost your confidence! You will also learn how to rescue breathe because, sometimes, just pushing them is not enough. You have to breathe some life back into it too.

This might sound intimidating, or you may wonder if your memory will hold up when the pressure is on. Once you practice enough, muscle memory will kick in quicker than you think.

Remember Sally, the accountant? She saved the neighbor’s child who choked last summer on a grape thanks to BCLS skills she learned at an office workshop. Every day, we see real-life heroes who took the first step to learn how to save a life.

BCLS courses cover CPR and AEDs, but they also include choking emergencies. This is a valuable skill to have whether you are dining out with your toddlers or at home.

Why wait? Sign up today for BCLS near you. You never know who you could end up saving.

It’s a good feeling to know that you can handle anything.

You can save someone’s life tomorrow by learning Basic Cardiac Support today, not tomorrow.