This document provides information on basic life support (BLS). It outlines the steps of BLS, which include assessing the scene and victim for safety, checking for breathing and pulse, activating emergency response, performing chest compressions, delivering breaths, and using an automated external defibrillator. It describes two-rescuer BLS with one performing compressions and the other giving breaths. Modifications for BLS in children and infants are also summarized, including using two fingers or thumbs for chest compressions in infants. The overall goal of BLS is to support circulation and breathing until advanced medical help arrives.

1. Basic Life Support
Dr. Mahmud Hussain
Assistant Professor
Department of Anesthesiology
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2. Basic Life Support
•Basic life support (BLS) is a level of medical care which is
used for victims of life-threatening illnesses or injuries
until they can be given full medical care at a hospital.
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3. Indication
• Cardiac arrest
• Respiratory arrest
• Both
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4. Steps of Basic Life Support
• Dr’s ABC
• D= Danger
• R= Check Response
• ‘s= Shout for Help
• A= Airway Management
• B= Breathing Management
• C= Circulation
• D= Defibrillator
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5. Steps of Basic Life Support
• Step : 1 : Scene Safety & Assessment
• Step-2 : Activate the emergency Response System
• Step 3: Check Pulse
• Step 4: Begin chest compression
• Step 5: Automated External defibrillator
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6. Step : 1 : Scene Safety & Assessment
• The Scene is Safe : For both Provider & victim
• Check Responsiveness of Victim: Are you Alright?
• Check breathing – 1. Absent or no breathing
2. Gasping
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7. Step-2 : Activate the emergency Response System
• If you are alone- Shout for Help
• Get Automated External Defibrillator
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8. Step 3: Check Pulse
• Check Carotid Pulsation
• Feel for at least 5 second but not more than 10 second
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9. Step 4: Begin chest compression
• Victim lying face up on a firm, flat,
surface.
• Position yourself at the victims side
• Put the heel of one hand – lower half of
sternum
• Put other hand on top of first hand
• Straighten your arms , position your
shoulder directly over hand
• Compression ventilation ratio – 30:2
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10. Step 4: Begin chest compression
• Push hard and fast: press at least 2 inch in each
compression
• Push at least 100 compression per min
• Allow chest recoil (re expand) completely
( allow blood to flow into the heart)
• Avoid excessive ventilation
• If there is pulse start rescue breathing – 1 breath
every 5/6 sec
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11. Open the airway for Breaths
• 2 Method: 1. Head tilt chin lift
2. Jaw thrust (suspected neck
injury victim)
Technique: 1 push fore head with your palm
2. Lift the jaw by finger of other hand
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12. Mouth to Mouth breath
• Airway open by Head tilt- chin lift
• Pinch nose closed with your thumb and index finger
• Take a regular breath and seal your lips around the victims mouth
• Give 1 breath (blow for 1 sec). Watch for the chest to rise
• If chest does not rise, repeat the head tilt-chin lift
• Give a 2nd breath.(blow 1 sec). Watch chest for rise
• If unable to ventilate return to chest compression 12

13. Defibrillation:
• Check for a shockable rhythm with AED
(Automated External Defibrillator)
• Provide shock as indicated
• Follow each shock immediately after
CPR.
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14. Integrated prompt and proper use of AED
• Turn AED on
• Place proper size pad for victim.
• Analyze rhythm
• Clear victim and delivers shock
• Resumes chest compression
• Do not turn off AED
• Safe environment for rescuer during
shock delivery
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15. 2 rescuer BLS/CPR
• Rescuer 1: Position : Side of the victim
• Duties: Perform chest compression
• compress the chest at least 2 inch
• Compress at a rate of at least 100/min
• Allow chest to recoil completely
• Minimize interruption
• Compression to breath ratio- 30:2
• Count compression aloud 15

16. 2 rescuer BLS/CPR
• Rescuer : 2 : Position: At the victims Head
• Duties: Maintain open airway by head tilt chin up or jaw thrust
• Give breath and watch chest rise
• Switch duties with the first rescuer every 5 cycle or 2min.
• Take less than 5 sec to switch
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17. BLS for Children (1 year and above)
• Check responsiveness & check breathing—No response- Shout for help
• Activate emergence response system & get AED
• Check pulse
• If no pulse despite sign oxygenation or heat rate <60 beats/min with sign of
poor perfusion ---- start chest compression
• After 5 cycle of chest compression -- get and use the AED
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18. BLS for infant (Below 1 year)
• Check responsiveness & check breathing—No response- Shout for help
• Activate emergence response system & get AED
• Check infants brachial pulse
• If no pulse despite sign oxygenation or heat rate <60 beats/min with sign of
poor perfusion ---- start chest compression
• After 5 cycle of chest compression -- get and use the AED
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19. 2 finger chest compression technique
• Place the infant on a firm surface
• Place 2 fingers in the center of the infants chest, just
below the nipple line, Do not press on the bottom
of the breast bone
• Press the infants breast bone down one third the
depth of the chest (1.5 inch or 4cm).
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20. 2 thumb encircling hands chest compression
technique:
• Place both thumbs side by side in the
center of the chests on the lower half of
the breastbone.
• Encircle the infants chest and support the
infants back with the finger of both hands
• Use both thumbs to depress the
breastbone approximately 1/3rd depth of
infants chest (approximately 1.5 inch or
4cm)
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