BLS

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

Based on guidelines by
 After cardiac arrest….

Brain damage4 to 6 minutes

8 to 10 minutes, the damage may be
irreversible.
CPR circulates oxygenated blood
until more advanced medical care
can be performed.
 CPR
• Combines rescue breathing and chest
compressions
• Revives heart (cardio) and lung
(pulmonary) functioning
– Use when there is no breathing and no
pulse
• Provides O2 to the brain until ACLS
arrives
 How CPR Works…
• Effective CPR
provides 1/4 to
1/3 normal
blood flow
• Rescue breaths
contain 16%
oxygen (21%)
New Sequence
 Check
Responsiveness

Are you
OK?

2.Tap and Shout

 Unresponsive
• Call for help
• Request Defibrillator
Basic life
support
Check Circulation(HCP)
Carotid pulse for < 10 secs
 Pulse Present

• Rescue breathing once every 5 to 6 seconds

using pocket mask/Ambu bag
• Connect Oxygen
• Recheck pulse every 2 mins
 No Pulse
Give 30 chest compressions hard & fast
Alternate with 2 breaths
 NO PULSE
Monitor / Defibrillator available?
Check rhythm
New Sequence
Compression Hand Position
2010 Guidelines
“The rescuer should place the heel of one hand on
the center (middle) of the victim’s chest (which is
the lower half of the sternum) and the heel of the
other hand on top of the first so that
the hands are overlapped and parallel.”

(Berg, et al. Circulation. 2010;122;S685-S705)

 Compressions

–Using both hands,

give 30 chest
compressions
• Count 1, 2, 3 …
–Depth of
compressions: 2
inches and 100/min
 Opening the Airway

Head tilt–chin lift Jaw Thrust

 Breathing
• Recovery position
• Tilt under the right hip
• Oxygenate, Fluids
 Not Breathing
• 2 breaths
to make chest rise
Pocket-Mask Devices

1-way valve
Port to attach O2 source
Fingers: jaw thrust upward Fingers: head tilt–chin lift
 CPR
• After 30 chest compressions give:
• 2 slow breaths
• Continue until help arrives or
victim recovers
• If the victim starts moving:
check breathing
Two rescuer CPR

• Compression rate - 30:2

• Switch every 5 cycles(2 mins)
 Defibrillator

• Paddles
• “Quick look”
• Sternal paddle
• Apical paddle
 When Can I Stop
CPR?
• Victim revives
• Trained help arrives
• Too exhausted to continue
• Unsafe scene
• Physician directed (do not resuscitate orders)
• Cardiac arrest of longer than 30 minutes
– (controversial)
 Highlights
For effective compressions:
Push fast
Push hard
Allow chest to fully recoil
Minimize any interruptions
Applies to both lay and healthcare providers.