Assignment
On
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Submitted to: Sir Malik Taimoor Khan
Submitted by: Mohammad Noman
Subject: Advance Clinical Practice
Discipline: Emergency & Intensive Care Technology
Sap ID: 70138348
Date: 23rd March, 2025.
Basic Life Support (BLS) – A Detailed Guide
Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical set of emergency procedures used to maintain circulation
and breathing in individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or other life-
threatening conditions. It includes Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated
External Defibrillator (AED) use, and relieving airway obstruction (choking).
BLS is primarily used by healthcare providers, emergency responders, and trained bystanders
before advanced medical help arrives.
1. Key Principles of Basic Life Support
A. Importance of BLS
➢ Improves survival rates in cardiac arrest.
➢ Maintains oxygen supply to vital organs.
➢ Increases effectiveness of advanced medical care.
B. Chain of Survival (For Adults & Children)
The Chain of Survival is a series of actions to improve survival chances:
➢ Early Recognition and Activation of Emergency Response – Call emergency services
(911 or local EMS).
➢ Early CPR – Provide high-quality chest compressions and ventilations.
➢ Rapid Defibrillation – Use an AED as soon as possible.
➢ Advanced Life Support (ALS) – Performed by paramedics or hospital teams.
➢ Post-Cardiac Arrest Care – Includes hospital monitoring, ventilation, and
medication.
C. BLS for Different Age Groups
➢ Adults (Puberty & Older): Standard BLS protocol applies.
➢ Children (1 Year to Puberty): Similar to adult BLS but with minor variations.
➢ Infants (0-1 Year): Special techniques due to smaller anatomy.
2. Steps of Basic Life Support (BLS) for Adults, Children,
and Infants
A. Scene Safety & Initial Assessment
Before starting BLS, always:
Check the environment for safety (fire, gas leaks, traffic).
Tap and shout to check if the victim is responsive.
If unresponsive, call for help and activate EMS.
If others are present, delegate tasks (e.g., calling 911, getting an AED).
Assess breathing and pulse (for up to 10 seconds):
➢ Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing.
➢ Check the carotid pulse (Adults & Children) or brachial pulse (Infants).
If the patient is not breathing or has an abnormal pulse, begin CPR immediately.
B. High-Quality CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
1. Chest Compressions
➢ Position hands in the center of the chest (sternum).
➢ Compress at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
➢ Allow full chest recoil between compressions.
Compression Depth:
➢ Adults & Children: At least 2 inches (5 cm) deep.
➢ Infants: About 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep.
Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio:
➢ Single Rescuer (Adults, Children, Infants) → 30:2 (30 compressions, 2 breaths).
➢ Two Rescuers (Children & Infants) → 15:2 (15 compressions, 2 breaths).
Hand Placement:
➢ Adults & Children: Use two hands (one on top of the other).
➢ Infants: Use two fingers for a single rescuer OR thumb-encircling technique for two
rescuers.
2. Rescue Breaths (Ventilations)
➢ Open the airway using Head Tilt-Chin Lift (if no spinal injury is suspected).
➢ Give one breath every 6 seconds (about 10 breaths per minute) if a pulse is present.
➢ Ensure visible chest rise when giving breaths.
➢ Use a bag-mask device if available (especially for healthcare providers).
3. Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
An AED can restore a normal heart rhythm if the cardiac arrest is due to ventricular fibrillation
(VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Steps for AED Use:
➢ Turn on the AED and follow voice prompts.
➢ Expose the chest and wipe dry if necessary.
➢ Attach AED pads to the upper right chest and lower left side.
➢ Ensure no one is touching the patient before delivering a shock.
➢ Press the shock button if advised.
➢ Resume CPR immediately after shock delivery.
For Infants & Children: Use pediatric AED pads if available. If not, use adult pads ensuring
they don’t overlap.
C. Special Situations in BLS
1. Choking (Airway Obstruction Relief)
If the person can cough or talk, encourage them to keep coughing.
If they cannot cough, speak, or breathe, intervene immediately.
For Adults & Children (Over 1 Year Old):
➢ Perform the Heimlich maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts):
o Stand behind the victim.
o Place a fist above the navel (belly button).
o Thrust forcefully inward and upward until the object is expelled.
For Infants (Under 1 Year Old):
➢ Perform Back Blows & Chest Thrusts:
o Hold the infant face down on your forearm.
o Deliver 5 back blows between the shoulder blades.
o Turn the infant face up and provide 5 chest thrusts.
o Repeat until the object is expelled or EMS arrives.
If the patient becomes unresponsive, start CPR and check for object removal between breaths.
2. Drowning Victims
➢ Remove the victim from the water safely.
➢ Provide 5 initial rescue breaths before starting chest compressions.
➢ Prioritize ventilation over compressions initially.
➢ Use an AED as soon as possible.
3. BLS in Special Circumstances
Situation Action
Pregnant Perform chest compressions as usual, but modify Heimlich maneuver by using
Women chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.
Spinal
Use Jaw Thrust Maneuver instead of Head Tilt-Chin Lift for airway opening.
Injury
Hypother
Perform CPR but limit shocks to one attempt until rewarming.
mia
Opioid
Administer Naloxone (Narcan) if available, along with CPR.
Overdose
3. Summary of BLS Key Points
Step Action
Check Responsiveness Tap & shout, call for help.
Check Breathing & Pulse No breathing or abnormal pulse → Start CPR.
Start Chest
100-120/min, at least 2 inches deep (1.5 inches for infants).
Compressions
Rescue Breaths 30:2 for single rescuer, 15:2 for two rescuers (children/infants).
AED Use Turn on, attach pads, deliver shock if advised.
Continue CPR Until EMS arrives or patient recovers.
Conclusion
Basic Life Support (BLS) is a lifesaving skill that everyone should know. Performing high-
quality CPR, using an AED, and managing choking situations can drastically improve
survival rates.