3. BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
Basic life support consists of three main parts:
• Chest compressions
• Airway
• Breathing
• Defibrillation
4. Push Hard and Push Fast
Unresponsive
No breathing Or
No normal Breathing
(Only gasping)
Activate
emergency
response
Get defibrillator
Start CPR
Check rhythm/shock if indicated
defibrillate every 2 minutes
ADULT BLS ALGORITHM
5. INITIAL BLS STEPS FOR ADULT
Step 1: Assessment and scene safety
• Check the victim for a response.
• Gently shake his shoulders and ask loudly, ‘Are you
all right?’
6. CONTI...
Step 2: Activate the
emergency response
system
If no response call for
help by shouting for
ambulance or EMS and
ask for an AED.
7. CONTI...
Step 3: Check pulse
• Locate trachea, using 2 or 3 fingers
• Slide these 2 or 3 fingers into the groove between the
trachea and the muscles of the neck, feel the carotid
pulse.
• Feel for a pulse for at least 5 but no more than 10
seconds.
8. CONTI...
Step 4: Perform compressions and breaths
Rescuer should use the compression-ventilation ratio
of 30:2.
It is important to push the chest hard and fast, at a rate
of at least 100 compressions per minute.
9. CHEST COMPRESSION TECHNIQUE
Kneel by the side of the victim.
Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the victim’s chest.
Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand.
Interlock the fingers of your hands and ensure that pressure
is not applied over the victim's ribs. Do not apply any
pressure over the upper abdomen or the bottom end of the
bony sternum (breastbone).
10. CONTI...
– Position yourself vertically above the victim's chest and, with
your arms straight, press down on the sternum 4 - 5 cm.
– After each compression, release all the pressure on the chest
without losing contact between your hands and the sternum.
– Repeat at a rate of about 100 times a minute (a little less than
2 compressions a second).
– Compression and release should
take an equal amount of time.
12. OPENING THE AIRWAY
Head Tilt-Chin Lift
Place one hand on the victim’s forehead and push with
your palm to tilt the head back.
Place the fingers of the hand under the bony part of the
lower jaw near the chin.
Lift the jaw to bring the chin forward.
13. CONTI...
Jaw thrust
Place one hand on each side of the victim’s head, resting
your elbows on the surface on which the victim is lying.
Place your fingers under the angles of the victim’s lower
jaw and lift with both hands, displacing the jaw forward.
16. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR
Switch on the defibrillator.
Select paddles of appropriate size.
Apply adequate jelly.
Place paddles so that they do not
touch patient’s clothing or bed linens.
Oxygen supply should be verified.
Do not charge the machine.
17. CONTI...
• Charge the machine with appropriate joules (monophasic
360 J; biphasic 200 J)
• Exert adequate pressure.
• Check the availability of joules in the defibrillator
monitor.
• Ensure you and every body is free of contact with the
patient’s. Say “ALL CLEAR”.
• Press the shock button and Ensure the delivery of shock.
Inspect skin for burns.
• Record the delivered energy.
• Wipe of the extra jelly and keep it ready for next shock.
18. POST RESUSCITATION CARE
If the victim responds, position him
in the recovery position and monitor
breathing until help arrives.
19. ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT
• Systematic approach to assessment and management
of cardiopulmonary emergencies.
• Continuation of Basic Life Support.
• Resuscitation efforts aimed at restoring spontaneous
circulation and retaining intact neurologic function.
