UNITED INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOLS
Basic Life Support: The First Steps That Save Lives
For many students, the idea of saving a life might still feel distant—something that comes later in our training, once we’ve passed enough exams, worn the white coat, and stepped into a hospital. But the truth is, knowing how to act in a medical emergency is something every healthcare student should learn early, and that was the driving force behind this year’s Basic Life Support (BLS) workshop at Evolence.
Organized by our very own Clinical Education Team, the workshop was led by Sachneet Bajwa (4th year, LF1), Olga Kotzamani (4th year, LFP, and part of the Preclinical Team), and Vasiliki Viltanioti (5th year, LFP), with additional support from Vasiliki Chatzimichalaki, a guest instructor from LF1. Together, they created a session that was equal parts practical, empowering, and student-centered.
From the start, the workshop focused on what really matters in a crisis: staying calm, acting quickly, and sticking to the basics. Students were taught how to assess an emergency situation, approach a collapsed person, check responsiveness and breathing, and notify emergency services. These are the essential first steps that buy time—and sometimes make the critical difference—before professional help arrives.
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One of the most hands-on parts of the session involved practicing chest compressions and rescue breathing on adult and infant mannequins. Participants learned the correct hand placement, compression depth, and rhythm for effective CPR. The trainers didn’t just demonstrate the techniques—they worked closely with each student, correcting posture, encouraging proper timing, and helping participants understand how exhausting and physical real CPR can be.
In addition to CPR, the session included training in the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Students were shown how to safely apply AED pads and follow the device’s prompts to deliver a shock when needed. Despite the high-tech look of the machine, the message was clear: using an AED is simple, intuitive, and can dramatically improve survival chances in a cardiac arrest situation.
What set this workshop apart was how approachable and interactive it was. The small-group setting meant that everyone had the chance to ask questions, try things multiple times, and get personal feedback from the instructors. The use of both adult and infant mannequins also gave the session depth—many students had never practiced pediatric BLS before, and the differences in technique induced meaningful discussion.
Beyond the skills themselves, the workshop reinforced something more subtle but equally important: confidence. Emergencies don’t announce themselves in advance, and often the biggest barrier to taking action is hesitation or self-doubt. By the end of the session, students walked away not just knowing how to respond, but believing they actually could.
This BLS workshop reminded us that saving a life doesn’t always require a degree or years of experience—it starts with being prepared, and willing to act. Thanks to the dedication of the Clinical Education Team and the peer-led format, this session turned a potentially intimidating topic into something students could truly own.