Saturday Morning Basic Life Support Courses in Bletchley

Christopher Cook
Feb 4
4 min read

Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. At home, in public spaces, during leisure activities, or in front of the people we care about most. When it does, the actions taken in the first few minutes can make a life changing difference.

At DTMK Training Services, we are pleased to be running dedicated Saturday morning Basic Life Support courses at the lovely Whaddon Way Church Centre in Bletchley. These sessions are designed to make high quality, practical training accessible, while still allowing the time needed to build real confidence and understanding.

Why Basic Life Support matters

Basic Life Support is not just for healthcare professionals or designated first aiders. It is a set of essential skills that enables ordinary people to recognise a life threatening emergency and act quickly while help is on the way.

Early recognition of cardiac arrest, effective CPR, and prompt use of a defibrillator are proven to save lives. Training replaces uncertainty with clear actions and calm decision making. It also gives people the confidence to step forward rather than freeze when it matters most.

Training that reflects real life, not just the workplace

While this course is not a workplace first aid qualification, it may be particularly valuable for workplace first aiders looking for annual refresher training, as recommended by the Health and Safety Executive.

Many workplace first aiders complete a formal course every three years, with refresher training advised in between. In reality, refresher opportunities often focus on theory or workplace scenarios alone.

This course focuses on skills that are just as relevant outside of work. Emergencies are more likely to happen at home, in the community, or while spending time with family and friends. These are the moments people often feel least prepared for.

A strong focus on all ages

A key strength of this course is the time given to Basic Life Support across all age groups, not just adults.

Learners will practise how to recognise and respond to cardiac arrest in:

Adults
Children
Infants

Many people, including experienced workplace first aiders, have never had the opportunity to practise with infant or child manikins during previous training. Yet emergencies involving children are often the situations people worry about most.

We take the time to explain and practise the differences in assessment, CPR technique, and decision making, so learners leave feeling prepared and reassured.

Defibrillator use without fear or hesitation

Public access defibrillators are now common in towns and communities, yet many people remain unsure how to use one or worry about doing something wrong.

Our course includes clear, hands on training in defibrillator use, covering:

When a defibrillator is needed
How to safely apply pads to adults and children
What the defibrillator does and how it guides you
How to continue care until emergency services arrive

By practising with training defibrillators, learners build familiarity and confidence, removing fear and hesitation.

Managing an unconscious patient

In addition to CPR and defibrillator use, the course also covers management of an unconscious patient.

Learners will be taught how to:

Assess responsiveness and breathing
Open and maintain an airway
Place a patient into the recovery position safely
Monitor the casualty while waiting for emergency services

This is an area of first aid that many people find worrying, particularly when the casualty is a child or loved one. We focus on clear, practical steps and plenty of hands on practice to build confidence.

Why Saturday mornings and why we allow extra time

We have chosen Saturday mornings deliberately. For many people, weekdays are dominated by work, school runs, and caring responsibilities. A weekend morning offers a calmer, more accessible option.

We have also scheduled slightly longer sessions to allow time at the end for questions. If there are aspects of first aid that worry you, or scenarios you would like to talk through, there is space to do so without feeling rushed.

This relaxed approach helps learners leave feeling supported and confident, rather than overwhelmed.

Who the course is for

This course is suitable for:

Members of the public with no previous experience
New and expectant parents
Grandparents and family carers
Parents of young children and babies
Teachers and education staff
Sports coaches and volunteers
Workplace first aiders wanting practical refresher training
Anyone who wants the confidence to help in an emergency

No prior knowledge is required. Everything is explained clearly, at a sensible pace, and with reassurance throughout.

Delivered by experienced professionals

All training is delivered by experienced instructors with real world emergency care backgrounds. We understand that learning about life threatening situations can feel daunting, particularly when children are involved.

Our approach is calm, supportive, and realistic. The aim is not to overwhelm learners with jargon, but to ensure they leave knowing exactly what to do and why it matters.

Book your place

Our Saturday morning Basic Life Support courses at Whaddon Way Church Centre, Bletchley are now available to book. Group sizes are kept manageable to ensure everyone gets hands on practice.

If you have ever thought, “I would like to know what to do, just in case”, this course is designed for you.

View upcoming dates or book your place here: https://training.dtmk.co.uk/book-online

For questions or group bookings, please get in touch.