This document provides a summary of basic life support principles from the 2011 Australian Guidelines. It covers checking for danger, getting a response from the casualty, calling for help, opening the airway, checking for breathing, performing CPR including chest compressions and rescue breaths, using an automated external defibrillator, and caring for bleeding, shock, sprains/strains, dislocations/fractures, poisoning, burns, and diabetic emergencies. The presentation was designed for health students but the topics covered will be useful for anyone.

2. BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
DR.M. YOUNAS
Assistant professor

3. Purpose
The purpose of this presentation is to introduce
and refresh some Basic Life Support (aka First
Aid) principles, now based on the 2011 Australian
Guidelines.
This presentation was designed with health
students in mind, as a refresher or in preparation
for clinical placements.
However, the topics covered here will be of use to
anyone.

4. check for
check
check
check for
give
apply a
D
S
R
A
B
C
D
anger
end for help
esponse
irways
reathing
PR
efibrillator

5. Check for Danger
(Hazards/Risks/Safety?)
o to you
o to others
o to casualty
For example; electrical wires,
gases, aggressive relatives,
water, etc.
Remove yourself and the casualty
to an area of safety
Andy Field (Hubmedia) via flickr

6. Check the casualty for a
response.
Use the COWS Method
oC an you hear me?
oO pen your eyes
oW hat is your name?
oS queeze my hand
Gently squeeze shoulders
(i.e. the trapezoid muscle)
If casualty is unresponsive call
for help.

7. Call 1122 to reach
emergency services
virtually anywhere in the
world.
Or
notify your Cardiac Arrest
team within the hospital.
Image: betsyweber

8. Check the airway is open and clear
of obstructions.
Use a head tilt, chin lift to open
the airway.
Use a jaw thrust for patients with
suspected spinal cord, head, neck
and facial trauma. (usually done on
patient’s with a GCS < 8. Not
recommended for unexperienced
people).

9. In an unconscious patient, the
tongue is the most common
cause of obstruction.
Also check the airway for
blood, vomit & any other
foreign materials.
If breathing begins place in
recovery position.
Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia

10. Look, listen and feel for
breathing, up to 10 seconds.
ois chest rising and falling?
ocan you hear or feel air from
mouth or nose?
In Australia it is no longer
recommended to deliver rescue
breaths but rather continue
straight to CPR.
CPR should be the chief
priority.
image: c0d3in3 via Flickr
In clinical situations use a
face mask to administer
the breaths.

11. If no signs of life – unconscious, not
breathing and not moving,
start CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation)
CPR involves giving;
30 compression and 2 breaths
100 compressions per minute
(useful tunes for compression rate are
Staying Alive by the Bee Gees,
Another one Bites the Dust to name a
few)
The recommended point of
compresions is the midline
over the lower half of the
sternum.

12. Remember to push hard and fast,
straight arms.
Revival checks conducted
every 2 minutes
(look for pulse & signs of life)
Should swap person doing
compressions every 2min (so they
don’t become tired and perform
ineffective compressions)

13. Doing CPR on Infants
use two fingers instead of using hands
to deliver compressions.
Give 30 compression & 2 breaths
100 compressions per minute
when delivering breaths do not overdo
the amount, as you may cause a lung to
rupture.
CPR should continue until
the return of spontaneous
circulation or you are
relieved by a qualified
professional.
You should check
for vital signs
every 2 minutes.

14. If Defibrillator is
available, apply and follow
voice prompts.
Remember when shocking
to get everyone to stand
well back.
Keep checking for signs of life.
The Lifepak 500 is the standard product in Australia

15. *
*Note the next two slides are specific to allied health professionals and
medical students. It is a reminder of some devices used for airway
management.
Endotracheal
tube
Nasopharyngeal
Airway
Oropharyngeal Airway
(guedels)
Laryngeal mask
Images from wikipedia & flickr

16. *
*Once the Guedel or
Nasopharyngeal airway is
inplace,
*Apply face mask
*Use the resuscitator to provide
ventilations
*Attach 15L of oxygen to
resuscitator
If performing ventilation manually ensure a tight seal
between the mask and the face.
Where possible have one person firmly holding the
face mask down and the other ventilating.

17. BLS - what’s coming up…
We shall now cover the following aspects
of Basic Life Support.
oCare for Bleeding
oCare for Shock
oFirst Aid for Sprains & Strains
oCare for Dislocations & Fractures
oPoisoning
oBurns
oDiabetic Emergency

18. 1. Apply Pressure to the Wound
2. Raise and Support injured part
3. Bandage Wound
4. Check Circulation below wound
5. If severe bleeding persists,
give nothing by mouth & call
emergency services

19. 1. Assess Casualty (DRSABCD)
2. Call emergency
3. Position Casualty
 Keep the casualty lying down if
possible.
 Elevate legs 10-12inches unless you
suspect a spinal injury
4. Treat any other injuries
5. Ensure Comfort
 Cover casualty to maintain warmth
 Provide casualty with fresh air
6. Monitor & Record breathing and pulse

20. o Symptoms: Anxiety, confusion, agitation, restlessness,
dizziness, cool, clammy, sweating, pale, rapid and shallow
breathing, thirst, nausea, vomiting, not responsive.
o Check for normal breathing and severe bleeding, treat
for these.
o Call 9-1-1.
o Put victim on back, raise legs 8-12”.
o Loosen tight clothing.
o Turn victim’s head if vomiting occurs.
o Keep victim warm with coat or blanket.
o Give no food or drink, alcohol or tobacco.
o Offer reassurance and comfort and be calming.
o If unresponsive, put in recovery position.
First Aid for Shock

21. 1.Weak rapid pulse
2.Cold, clammy skin
3.Rapid breathing
4.Faintness/dizziness
5.Nausea
6.Pale face, fingernails, lips

22. R est
I ce, apply a cold pack. Do not
apply ice directly to skin.
C ompress, use an elastic or
comforting wrap – not to tight.
E levate, above heart level to
control internal bleeding.
R – I – C – E

23. Follow DRSABCD. Then proceed with I A-C-T.
I mmobilise area. Use jackets, pillows, blankets and so on. Stop any
movement by supporting injured area.
A ctivate emergency services.
Call 112 or 000.
C are for shock. See care for shock slide.
T reat any additional secondary injuries.

24. Follow DRSABCD & Check Materials Safety Data Sheet if possible .
Signs & Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Drowsiness
Nausea/vomiting
Burning pains from mouth to stomach
Difficulty in breathing
Tight chest
Blurred vision
and so on…….

25. isafmedia via flickr
1.Remove Casualty from Danger
(follow DRSABCD & remember
STOP, DROP & ROLL)
2.Cool the burnt area
(hold burnt area under cold
running water for a minimum of
20 minutes.)
3.Remove any constrictions
(e.g. clothing & jewellery)
4.Cover Burn
(place sterile, non-stick
dressing over burn)
5.Calm Casualty

26. Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions are standard, safe work practices
that are to be applied to all patients regardless of their
known or presumed infectious status.
Standard Precautions include
steps such as:
• hand washing
• use of appropriate personal
protective equipment (eg.
gloves)
• management of sharps, and
• immunisation of health care
workers.
Standard Precautions are
particularly important in cases with:
• Blood (including dried blood)
• All other body fluids, secretions
and excretions (excluding sweat),
regardless of whether they
contain visible blood
• Non-intact skin
• Mucous membranes

28. oTHANKS