Basic Life Support PDF

**BASIC LIFE SUPPORT** **MEANING** It is also called as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is the noninvasive assessment and intervention used to quickly identify and treat victims of respiratory or cardiovascular emergencies: Survival from sudden cardiac arrest is optimized when the event is...

**BASIC LIFE SUPPORT** **MEANING** It is also called as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is the noninvasive assessment and intervention used to quickly identify and treat victims of respiratory or cardiovascular emergencies: Survival from sudden cardiac arrest is optimized when the event is witnessed and CPR is initiated immediately. Patient survival declines dramatically if basic CPR is not initiated within first few minutes. **GOAL OF BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS)** To support and restore effective oxygenation and circulation with return of intact neurologic function and return of spontaneous circulation. **PARTS OF BLS** - Chest compressions (C): Push hard and fast on the center of the victim\'s chest - Airway (A): Till the victim\'s head back and lift the chin to open the airway - Breathing (B): Give mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths - Defibrillation (D) **STEPS OF BLS** There are basically four steps in BLS. - Assessment and scene safety, - Activate emergency response system and get automated external defibrillator (AED). - Check pulse. - Begin cycles of 30 compression and 2 breaths if you do not definitely feel a pulse within 10 seconds and perform 5 cycles (30:2) with C-A-B (chest compressions, airway, breathing) sequence. - Scene safety: Check for surrounding for any hazards. **Ask Yourself** - Is it safe for me to approach the victim? I may suffocate/get burnt/get hypothermie/get electric shock. - Is it safe for the victim to be attended to where he has collapsed? Indeed to take victim out of water/switch off the main switch to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). - What other precautions should I take for my own safety? I should use barriers like handkerchief, gloves. **Assessment** - Tap the victims shoulder and shout \"Are you all right? - Check to see if the victim is breathing. - If not breathing or breathing is not normal (gasping), then activate emergency response system. **Activate Emergency Response System** *If someone approaches to help:* - Ask him to call emergency medical services (EMS) - Ask him to tell EMS about the place and about collapsed victim? - While he activates the EMS, the rescuer starts CPR. *If no help available:* - Call yourself before starting the CPR. **Pulse Check** - Palpate carotid pulse. - Feel for a pulse for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. - If you do not feel pulse within 10 seconds. Start chest compressions (in CAB sequence) **Begin CPR** - Assess circulation and providing chest compression. - Opening airway. - Assess breathing and providing breath. **CIRCULATION** **After palpating pulse for at least 10 seconds with CPR if no definite pulse is palpable.** **Mechanism**: Increase of intrathoracic pressure and direct compression of the heart. Recommended compression rate at least 100/min. Depth of compression should be at least 2 inches (5 cm). **Compression:** Ventilation 30:2 when 1rescuer 30:2 when 2 rescuers 15:2 when 2 rescuers (in infants and children) **PLACEMENT OF HANDS DURING CPR** - Straighten your arm with knees locked and position your shoulder directly over the hands. - Push hard and fast. - Press down at least 2 Inches (5 cm) with each compression. - Deliver compression in a smooth fashion at a rate of at least 100/min. - At the end of each compression make sure to allow complete chest recoil after each compression. - Adjust position that your shoulders are on the top of the victim and in line with hands. - Provide 4-5 cycles of compressions and breathing. - 30 compressions with 2 breaths is one cycle. - Complete 5 cycles and then check carotid pulse. **AIRWAY** Open the airway for breaths: 2 methods are there to open the airway. **Head tilt-chin lift**: It should be used until head or neck injury is suspected as it reduces neck and spine movement (Fig.3). **Jaw thrust:** It is used with 2 rescuers as two persons are needed to provide breaths. **BREATHING** Provides breaths: - Mouth to mouth breaths. - Mouth to mask breaths. - Bag to mask breaths. **Mouth to mouth breaths.** - Hold the victim\'s airway open with a head tilt-chin lift. - Pinch the nose closed with your thumb and index finger. - Take a regular breath and seal your lips around the victim\'s mouth, creating an air tight seal. - Give 1 breath (blow for 1 sec). Watch for the chest rise. - Give a second breath. - If you are unable to ventilate the victim after 2 attempts, Promptly return to chest compressions **Mouth to Mask Breaths** - Position yourself at the victim side. - Place the mask on the victim\'s face, using the bridge of the nose as a guide for correct position. - Seal the mask against the face. - Place the remaining fingers of your second hand along the bony margin of the jaw and lift the jus - While you lift the jaw, press firmly and completely around the outside edge of the mask to seal the mask against the face. - Deliver air over 1 second to make the victim\'s chest rise. **Bag to Mask Breaths** - Position yourself directly above the victim\'s head. - Place the mask on the victim\'s face, using the bridge of the nose as a guide for correct position. - Use E-C clamp technique to hold the mask in place while you lift the lift the jaw to hold the airway open. - Squeeze the mask to give breaths (1 second each) while watching the chest rise. **Two Rescuers** - When a second rescuer is available to help, that second reducer should activate the emergency response system and can get the automatic external defibrillator (AED). - The first will remain with the victim to start CPR immediately. - The rescuers will then give compressions and breaths but should switch roles after cycles of CPR (About every 2 minutes). *Rescuer 1: At victim\'s side.* - Perform chest compressions. - Switch duties with the second rescuer every 5 cycles or about 2 minutes taking less than 5 seconds to switch. *Rescuer 2: At victim\'s head* - Maintain an open airway. - Give breaths watching for chest rise and avoiding excessive ventilation.