BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
(BLS)
Dr. Subhendu
Bag
WHAT IS BASIC LIFE SUPPORT ?
Basic Life Support (BLS) defines
Sequences of procedures performed to
restore the circulation of oxygenated
blood after a sudden pulmonary or
cardiac arrest until they can be given
full medical care at a hospital.
BLS does not include the use of drugs or invasive skills.
GLOBAL BURDEN OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST
Approximately 700,000 cardiac arrests per year.
CPR before arrival of emergency services –
doubles survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
Early resuscitation can result in >60 % survival.
PURPOSES OF CPR
Maintaining circulation and
oxygenation in order to maintain
a cardiac output to keep vital
organs alive.
HODS - November 2006 27
INDICATIONS OF CPR
CARDIAC ARREST
RESPIRATORY ARREST
COMBINATION OF BOTH
WHAT IS CAB APPROACH ?
CAB-D
Circulation,
Airway,
Breathing,
Defibrillate
CAB –Circulation Airway
Breathing
SCENE 1- YOU FIND AN ADULT LYING ON GROUND
ASSESS SCENE SAFETY
Assess to make sure the scene is
safe for you to respond to the
ASSESS RESPONSIVENESS
Shake the shoulder and speak to the
adult asking ARE YOU ALL RIGHT ?
Look at the chest and torso for movement
and normal breathing simultaneously.
CHECK CIRCULATION
Check the patient for a palpable carotid
pulse for 5-10 seconds. (Do not check for
more than 10 seconds.)
HELP
T FOR
SHOU
IF THERE IS NO PULSE AND NO/ABNORMAL
BREATHING
START CPR
CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)
To start CPR, place patient in supine position on a
firm and flat surface.
Kneel down to the patient and locate the position
for chest compression on person’s chest.
LOCATION OF CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Locate the lower
1/3 of the
patient’s sternum
between the
nipples in the
midline of body.
HAND POSITIONING FOR CHEST COMPRESSIONS
1. Lock your arms.
2. Place the heel of one
hand over the center
of the person's chest,
between the
nipples. Place your
other hand on top of
the first hand.
3. Keep your elbows
straight and position
your shoulders directly
above your hands.
Use your upper body weight (not just your
arms) as you push straight down on the chest
at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters)
but not greater than 2.4 inches (approximately
6 centimeters).
GOOD QUALITY CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Press hard and fast.
Allow for full chest recoil with each
compression.
Allow for only minimal interruptions to chest
compressions.
CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Deliver 30 chest compressions
initially.
Push hard at a rate of 100 -120
compressions per minute.
AIRWAY : OPEN THE AIRWAY
After giving 30
chest compressions
open victim’s
airway.
There are two maneuvers to
open the airway-
HEAD- TILT CHIN-
LIFT MANEUVER
JAW THRUST
MANEUVER
( if spinal cord injury
AIRWAY
After initial 30 chest compressions , assess
and establish airway.
Give 2 rescue breaths, each lasting for 1
seconds and assess for visible chest rise with
each breath
RESCUE BREATHING
A technique used to resuscitate a person who has stopped
breathing, in which the rescuer forces air into the victim's
lungs at intervals of several seconds.
METHODS OF RESCUE BREATHS
Mouth-to-Mouth Rescue
Breathing
Mouth-to-Nose and Mouth-
to-Stoma Ventilation
Ventilation With Bag and
Mask
Ventilation With an
Advanced Airway 32
Mouth to Mouth Breathing…
Use a barrier device if available.
pinch the nostrils for mouth-to-mouth
breathing.
Make a seal using your mouth over the
mouth of the patient or use a pocket mask or
bag mask.
RESCUE BREATHING
Each rescue breath should last approximately 1 second.
Watch for chest rise.
Allow time for the air to expel from the patient.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
1 cycle of adult CPR = 30 chest
compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
Perform 5 cycles of CPR (lasts approximately 2 minutes).
30:2
CONTINUE CPR…
2
30
If two providers are present: switch rolls
between compressor and rescue
breather every 5 cycles.
30 compressions to 2
breaths
100-120 compressions per
minute
RATE AND DEPTH OF Chest Compression
Continue Resuscitation Until
Qualified help arrives and takes over
The victim starts breathing
normally
Rescuer becomes exhausted
IF VICTIM STARTS TO BREATHE NORMALLY
PLACE IN RECOVERY POSITION
RECOVERY
POSITION
AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
An AED, or automated
external defrillator, is a
device that has the ability to
detect irregular heart rhythm
and it automatically delivers a
defibrillation shock to stop
irregular heart beat and allow
a normal rhythm to resume.
AED s are designed to be used
by any laypersons.
ATTACH PADS TO CASUALTY’S BARE
CHEST
COMPLICATIONS
OF CPR
1. Rib Fracture
2. Internal injuries to organs
3. Laceration related to the tip of the
sternum
4. Vomiting and aspiration
HODS - November 2006 86
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Taking the right action quickly and confidently
can make the difference between life and death
for a person dealing with cardiac arrest.