Note: Your progress in watching these videos WILL NOT be tracked. These training videos are the same videos you will experience when you take the full Coronavirus COVID-19 program. You may begin the training for free at any time to start officially tracking your progress toward your certificate of completion.

  1. Pulse Oximetry and Covid 19

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A pulse oximeter helps you monitor how fast your heart is beating and the level of oxygen in your blood. They work by shining a light on the finger to record the blood oxygen levels. Pulse oximeters are not expensive and simple to use. Knowing your blood oxygen level, is the most accurate way of keeping an eye on your progress with COVID-19. It is a simple check, non-invasive and totally painless. By monitoring your blood oxygen levels it can be easily seen if your levels are dropping and you need to seek medial assistance.

The pulse Oximeter is easy to use and is placed on a finger. As the reading can be blocked, remove any nail polish or false nails first and warm your hands if they are cold. Before you take the reading, make sure you have been resting for at least 5 minutes.

- Rest your hand on your chest at heart level and hold still
- Switch the pulse oximeter on and place it on your finger. It works best on your middle or index finger.
- The reading takes time to steady. Keep the pulse oximeter in place for at least a minute, or longer if the reading keeps changing
- Record the highest result once the reading has not changed for five seconds. Make sure you record the numbers correctly to avoid listing your oxygen level as your pulse.
- Take recordings three times a day, at the same time each day – for example when you normally eat in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening. Take extra measurements if you feel there has been a change in your health. Write these down on a piece of paper or on the sheet available on the NHS website. As well as writing down your pulse and oxygen levels, also record how you are feeling and symptoms.

An ideal blood oxygen level is between 95% and 99%. An ideal heart rate is between 50 and 90 beats per minute (bpm). If your blood oxygen levels fall to 93 to 94% then you should contact a Doctor or if it falls below 92% you should call the emergency medical services or attend accident and emergency department immediately.

If you need a pulse oximeter, you can buy them from our store at ProTrainings.uk/store.