DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL SKILLS

PRO 234 INTRODUCTION TO BASIC CLINICAL SKILLS COURSE

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 3 FALL 2020

CHECKLIST: BLS SURVEY

The student:

1 Verifies the scene is safe for self and victim.

2 Checks for responsiveness. Taps the victim’s shoulder and shouts, “Are you okay?”

3 Shouts for nearby help if the patient is unresponsive.

4 Assess the victim for the presence of a pulse* and normal breathing

5 Activate the emergency response system in your setting

6 Gets the AED. If someone else is available, has that person get it.

7 Starts compressions if no definite pulse is felt within 10 seconds.

* Assessing the pulse

The student assesses the patient for the presence of a carotid pulse & normal breathing

• Locates the trachea using 2-3 fingers.

• Slides fingers in the groove between trachea
and sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• Feels for carotid pulse for at least 5 but no
more than 10 seconds.
• Assesses the patient for the presence of a
pulse and normal breathing, simultaneously.
• Activates the emergency response system
and returns to the patient, if there is no
response and the victim is not breathing or
not breathing normally
• Starts compressions if no definite pulse is felt
within 10 seconds.

Video Assessing the Carotid Pulse

References: Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor Manual. Dallas, American Heart Association, 2020;
Bates Visual Guide to Physical Examination. 10.5. Assessing the Carotid Pulse