ERC
Paediatric Basic Life Support (PBLS)
Parents, teachers, childcare staff — anyone around children.
Paediatric Basic Life Support (PBLS) provides specialised training for anyone who works with or comes into contact with children and may find themselves facing a child in (imminent) cardiac arrest.
Next scheduled session
- Date:
- Time:
- 09:30–14:30
- Duration:
- 5 hours
- Places:
- 30
The programme
Focusing on rescue techniques for children, the programme prepares you to handle paediatric emergencies with confidence and the right care. It is especially important for professionals in pre-school and school education, public and private, who look after the most precious members of our society.
Why is paediatric CPR important?
Unlike adults, where cardiac arrest is often of cardiac origin, in children it is mainly due to respiratory causes, such as obstruction of the airway by a foreign body (choking). That is why immediate recognition of the problem, with an initial 5 rescue breaths and then alternating chest compressions and breaths, is vital.
Immediate CPR by bystanders can increase a child's chances of survival by 2 to 3 times. Conversely, for every minute that passes without resuscitation, the chances drop dramatically.
What should I do if a child is choking?
The management of choking is common to adults and children, but differs in technique, mainly in the force applied. In partial (mild) obstruction there is still a cough reflex: we encourage the person to cough and stay next to them until the foreign body is expelled. In complete obstruction the person communicates with gestures but cannot cough. Calmly, we let them know we are there to help and apply alternately 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts (in an infant, chest thrusts with 2 fingers). If the person collapses, CPR begins immediately and at the same time we call 112.
Can a non-specialist perform CPR on a child?
Yes. According to the ERC, even someone trained only in basic adult CPR can safely perform it on a child. Any intervention is better than inaction. Specialised paediatric training, such as PBLS, provides the best techniques and increases effectiveness.
By the end of PBLS you will be able to:
- recognise and assess an unconscious child or infant
- perform rescue breaths and chest compressions
- safely use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on children
- place a child or infant in the recovery position
- manage a child or infant who is choking
The certifying body
European Resuscitation Council
The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) is the European body that sets the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was founded in 1988 as a non-profit organisation, with the mission of "preserving human life by making high-quality resuscitation available to all". Its guidelines, updated every five years, are a point of reference across Europe. Through a network of national councils, the ERC trains around two million people a year in 56 countries. Programmes that follow its standard lead to an internationally recognised certification.
Visit the body’s websiteFrequently asked questions
Do I need any prior knowledge?
For most programmes, no — they start from zero. Where a prerequisite exists, the programme itself says so: the Basic Instructor Course, for example, requires an active ERC BLS or PBLS certification.
Do you train schools and groups?
Yes. We offer free training to schools of every level and to the community, and through the Double Score programme a school can earn a free defibrillator. For a training at your own venue, write to us at info@lifesupporthub.edu.gr.