ACLS

CPR for adults and cardiac rhythms

BLS for adults : CABD (Circulation, airway,
breathing, defibrillate)

● Assess to make sure the scene is safe for you to respond to the down patient.
● Assess Responsiveness: Stimulate and speak to the adult asking if they are ok. Look at the chest and torso for movement and normal
breathing.
● If unresponsive: Place patient supine on a hard flat surface.
Circulation
● Check the patient for a carotid pulse for 5-10 seconds. (Do not check for more than 10 seconds.)

PULSE ? Provide 10 rescue breaths per minute (1 every 6 seconds) and recheck pulse every two minutes.

NO PULSE? Begin 5 cycles of CPR (lasts approximately 2 minutes). Start with chest compressions, 1 cycle of adult CPR is 30 chest
compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
Airway
Use the Jaw Thrust maneuver. (This maneuver is used when a cervical spine injury cannot be ruled out.) or head tilt-chin lift when there is no
C-spine injury.

Advanced airways may be used to obtain a patent airway for ventilation such as an oropharyngeal airway, laryngeal mask airway or
endotracheal tube.
Breathing
Defibrillate
Pulseless electrical activity
● Hypovolemia ● Tension pneumothorax

● Hypoxia ● Tamponade – Cardiac

● Hydrogen ion excess (acidosis) ● Toxins

● Hypoglycemia ● Thrombosis (pulmonary embolus)

● Hypokalemia ● Thrombosis (myocardial infarction)

● Hyperkalemia

● Hypothermia