Basic Life Support Training

Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. Losing a loved one is extremely difficult, especially in cases where it may have been prevented with the right skills and immediate action.

Empower your friends and family with the skills to save a life in an emergency. The Chain of Survival starts with Basic Life Support (BLS). We hope you will appreciate this overview of BLS and share it with others. Together, we can make a difference.

The Chain of Survival has five parts

1. Recognize Symptoms and Activate EMS
2. Perform Early CPR
3. Defibrillate with AED
4. Advanced Life Support
5. Post- Cardiac Arrest Care

Let’s do an overview of rescuer techniques. The 2015 update to the CPR guideline from The Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) now reflects a target compression rate of 100-120 per minute. One-rescuer CPR used to be the standard method of teaching. However, in many instances, there is more than one person available to perform CPR and two people can work as a team.

Recognize Symptoms and Activate EMS

When responding to an emergency, try to create a safe response area. Remove the person from danger when possible. Speak loudly and shake the person to see if they are okay. If a victim is in obvious distress but breathing on their own without gasping, stay close and watch the victim for any changes. If the victim is not breathing or only gasping, activate emergency response, get and AED and start CPR. When there is no one else available to call for emergency response, use a cell phone on speaker when possible and do not leave the victim.

Perform Early CPR

Put on your pocket mask if you have one. Be sure to seal the mask against the victim’s face when delivering early CPR. Check for a pulse on the side of the neck. Feel for 5 to 10 seconds and begin CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and two breaths. Use the heel of one hand on the lower sternum in the middle of the chest and place other hand on top of the first. Begin compressions, at least two inches into the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Be sure to allow the chest wall to return to its natural position between compressions. Constant leaning on the chest can prevent the heart from refilling between compressions. After 30 compressions, if you do not suspect a neck injury, tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway.

Place your index finger on the jaw and lift up. Watch for the chest to rise while you give a breath over one second. Deliver another breath and resume compressions.

When a second rescuer is available, that person should find and prepare the AED for use. When the AED is connected, switch rescuers while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm. Provide a shock if indicated and resume CPR as soon as possible. Assess rhythm every two minutes.

When Emergency Help Arrives

Once emergency help arrives, allow the medical professionals to take over. Do not leave the scene until you have been told it’s okay. You will likely be asked questions about the victim’s state and the care you provided. These details will help the medical response team provide the best possible care.

If necessary, medical responders will provide Advanced Life Support. In the case of cardiac arrest, the victim may require additional post cardiac arrest care.

Knowing what to do in an emergency saves lives. Everyone means something special to someone else. If your loved one was ever in need of emergency help, certainly you’d hope someone knew what to do. We encourage you to share this important message with others and be an advocate of basic life support training

Be prepared with our KeyChain Face Shields, here. You can also see all of our First Aid and Safety products, here.

*This post does not contain medical advice and is not a substitute for certified BLS training.*