Basic life support

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Introduction

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical level of medical care provided to individuals suffering from life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can receive comprehensive medical treatment at a healthcare facility. BLS can be administered by trained healthcare professionals, such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), nurses, and physicians, as well as by qualified bystanders who have received BLS training. The primary goal of BLS is to maintain adequate circulation and breathing through a clear airway and to support any impaired breathing until professional medical care is available.

A CPR training session demonstrating Basic Life Support techniques.

Principles of BLS

BLS is based on several key principles that aim to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery. These principles include:

• Ensuring scene safety
• Assessing responsiveness
• Opening and maintaining a clear airway
• Providing chest compressions and rescue breaths
• Using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) when available

Steps of BLS

The steps of BLS typically follow the "CAB" sequence, which stands for:

• Circulation: Initiating chest compressions to restore blood circulation
• Airway: Clearing the airway
• Breathing: Providing rescue breaths to support breathing

Demonstration of using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as part of BLS.

Importance of BLS

BLS procedures, such as CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED use, are vital in emergency situations where immediate medical care is required. They significantly increase the chances of survival following cardiac arrest and other emergencies by providing essential support until advanced life support can be administered.

BLS Training

BLS training is available for both healthcare professionals and the general public. It covers the essential skills needed to perform BLS, including CPR, AED use, and managing choking incidents. Recognized organizations, such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Red Cross, offer certification courses that provide the knowledge and hands-on practice necessary to effectively perform BLS techniques.

See Also

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Automated external defibrillator (AED)
• Emergency medical services
• First aid

References

• American Heart Association. "BLS Provider Manual." Latest Edition.
• European Resuscitation Council. "Guidelines for Resuscitation." Latest Edition.

External Links

• American Heart Association - CPR & First Aid
• CPR Training with Red Cross

Basic life support Resources
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