BLS Provider Guide

Compressions:

High-Quality Compressions:

• High-quality CPR on unresponsive people increases their chances of survival.

• Must be done at depths of at least 2 inches (5 cm) at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute. 1.5 inches depth for infants

• Allow for full chest recoil to allow the heart to sufficiently refill between compressions.

High-Quality Breaths:

Rescuers should observe for chest rise while giving breaths.

Compression-to-Breath Ratios:

VICTIM	1 RESCUER	2 RESCUERS
Adult	30:2	30:2
Child	30:2	15:2
Infant	30:2	15:2

The Chain of Survival:

• Adults outside the Hospital:

  • Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Defibrillation → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

• Adults inside the Hospital:

  • Early Recognition and Prevention → Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Defibrillation → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

• Pediatrics outside the Hospital:

  • Prevention → Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

• Pediatrics inside the Hospital:

  • Early Recognition and Prevention→ Activate the emergency response → Give High-Quality CPR → Advanced Resuscitation → Post-Cardiac Arrest Care → Recovery

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED):

Defibrillation is critical because it eliminates abnormal heart rhythms to restore a regular cardiac rhythm

How to use the AED:

• Remove any clothing on the chest; ensure the chest is bare.

• Turn on the AED as soon as it arrives and place the pads THEN follow the AED’s prompts.

• Use a razor to shave the chest area if the victim’s hairs prevent pad placement.

• If the victim is wet, quickly wipe the chest then apply the pads.

Team-Based BLS:

Good Team Dynamics:

It is important that each Team member knows:

1. Their Clear roles and responsibilities.

2. Their limitations.

3. Constructive interventions.

4. Knowledge sharing.

5. Summarizing and reevaluating.

6. Closed-loop communications.

7. Clear messages.

8. Mutual respect.

The Team leader assigns tasks and roles to the team members.

To reduce fatigue, rescuers should alternate the compressor role every 2 minutes or 5 cycles for children. Switch while the AED is analyzing the rhythm and do not spend more than 5 seconds switching.

Compressors should rotate every 2 minutes or while the AED is analyzing cardiac rhythm.

Choking Hazards:

• When choking victims become unresponsive, begin high quality CPR immediately.

• With CPR on choking victims, always check the airways as you’re giving breaths for the choking hazard. If you can see it and can easily take it out, do so. If not, continue CPR.

• For infants, perform 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts. If they become unresponsive. Perform CPR while checking for airway obstruction as you’re giving breaths.