1. Chapter 12
BLS Resuscitation

2. National EMS Education Standard Competencies
Shock and Resuscitation
Applies fundamental knowledge to provide basic and selected advanced emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for a patient in shock, respiratory failure or arrest, cardiac failure or arrest and post resuscitation management.

3. Introduction
The principles of basic life support (BLS) were introduced in 1960.
Specific techniques have been revised every 5 to 6 years.
Information here follows the 2010 guidelines.

4. Elements of BLS (1 of 5) Noninvasive emergency lifesaving care
Used to treat medical conditions including:
Airway obstruction
Respiratory arrest
Cardiac arrest
Focus is on the ABCs

5. Elements of BLS (2 of 5) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Used to establish artificial ventilation and circulation in a patient who is not breathing and has no pulse
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6. Elements of BLS (3 of 5) CPR steps
Perform at least 30 high-quality chest compressions, at least 2″deep (adult) at rate of at least 100/min, to circulate blood.
Open airway with jaw-thrust or head tilt–chin lift maneuver.
Provide artificial respirations by rescue breathing.
Mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-nose, use of mechanical devices

7. Elements of BLS (4 of 5) BLS differs from advanced life support (ALS).
ALS involves:
Cardiac monitoring
Intravenous fluids and medications
Advanced airway adjuncts
LMA, King, Combitube by AEMT
Endotracheal intubation by paramedic

8. Elements of BLS (5 of 5)
BLS follows a specific sequence for adults, infants, and children.
Ideally, only seconds should pass between the time you recognize a patient needs BLS and the start of treatment.

9. The Chain of Survival AHA chain of survival
Source: American Heart Association
AHA chain of survival
Early access
Early CPR
Early defibrillation
Early advanced care
Integrated post-arrest care
If any one of the links in the chain is absent, the patient is more likely to die.

10. Automated External Defibrillation (1 of 3)
Vital link in the chain of survival
AED should be applied to cardiac arrest patients as soon as available.
Simple design of AED makes it easy to use.
If you witness cardiac arrest, begin CPR and apply the AED as soon as it is available.

11. Automated External Defibrillation (2 of 3)
Children
Safe using pediatric-sized pads and dose-attenuating system
If these are unavailable, use an adult AED.
Apply after first five cycles of CPR.
For child 1 month to 1 year of age, a manual defibrillator is preferred to AED.
This is a paramedic-level skill.

12. Automated External Defibrillation (3 of 3)
Special situations
Pacemaker
Wet patients
Transdermal medication patches

13. Assessing the Need for BLS (1 of 2)
Always begin by surveying the scene.
Complete primary assessment as soon as possible.
Evaluate ABCs.
Determine unresponsiveness.
Responsive patient does not need CPR.
Protect spinal cord from further injury.

14. Assessing the Need for BLS (2 of 2)
Basic principles of BLS are same for infants, children, and adults.
In adults, cardiac arrest usually occurs before respiratory arrest.
The reverse is true for infants and children.

15. Positioning the Patient
Position the patient so the airway is open.
For CPR, patient must be supine on firm surface.
Must be enough space for two rescuers to perform CPR
Log roll patient onto backboard for easier access.

16. Check for a Pulse
After determining that unresponsive patient is not breathing:
Check for pulse at carotid artery for 5 to 10 seconds.
If no pulse, begin CPR.
Courtesy of AAOS

17. Provide External Chest Compressions (1 of 2)
Apply rhythmic pressure and relaxation to lower half of sternum.
Heart is located slightly to left of middle between sternum and spine.
Compressions squeeze heart, acting as a pump to circulate blood.
Place patient on firm, flat surface.

18. Provide External Chest Compressions (2 of 2)
Proper hand positioning is crucial.
Compression to relaxation ratio must be 1:1.

19. Assessing Airway and Breathing (1 of 5)
Opening the airway in adults
Two techniques of opening airway in adults:
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Jaw-thrust maneuver
Head tilt–chin lift maneuver

20. Assessing Airway and Breathing (2 of 5)
If patient is breathing and there are no signs of trauma, place in the recovery position.
Maintains clear airway
Allows vomitus to drain from mouth
Not for patients with potential head/spinal injury
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21. Assessing Airway and Breathing (3 of 5)
Provide artificial ventilations
If patient is not breathing, ventilations can be given by one or two rescuers.
Use a barrier device.
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22. Assessing Airway and Breathing (4 of 5)
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23. Assessing Airway and Breathing (5 of 5)
Patient with a stoma
Place a bag-mask device or pocket mask directly over the stoma.
Gastric distention
Artificial ventilation may result in gastric distention.
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24. One-Rescuer Adult CPR
Single rescuer gives both artificial ventilations and chest compressions.
Ratio of compressions to ventilations is 30:2.

25. Two-Rescuer Adult CPR Always preferable to one-rescuer CPR
Less tiring because rescuer doing compressions can be switched
Facilitates effective chest compressions

26. Adjuncts to Circulation (1 of 2)
Impedance threshold device (ITD)
Valve device placed between endotracheal tube and bag-mask device
Limits air entering lungs during recoil phase between chest compressions
Courtesy of Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc.

27. Adjuncts to Circulation (2 of 2)
Mechanical piston device
Depresses sternum via compressed gas-powered plunger
Courtesy of ZOLL
Load-distributing band CPR or vest CPR
Composed of constricting band and backboard
Courtesy of Jolife AB

28. Infant and Child CPR (1 of 4)
Cardiac arrest in children usually follows respiratory arrest.
There can be a number of causes.
Children consume oxygen two to three times as rapidly as adults.
Airway and breathing are the focus of pediatric BLS.

29. Infant and Child CPR (2 of 4)
Determine responsiveness
If you find an unresponsive, apneic, pulseless child, perform CPR for 2 minutes and then call the EMS system.
This is different than the adult sequence.
After determining responsiveness, assess circulation.

30. Infant and Child CPR (3 of 4)
Place an unresponsive, breathing child in the recovery position.
But not if spinal injury is possible
Open airway with:
Head tilt–chin lift maneuver
Jaw-thrust maneuver
Place padding under child’s upper chest and shoulders.
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31. Infant and Child CPR (4 of 4)
Once airway is open, check if child is breathing.
At least 5 seconds, no longer than 10 seconds
If breathing, transport immediately.
If not breathing, provide rescue breathing, keep airway open, transport immediately.

32. Interrupting CPR CPR is an important holding action.
Patient receives definitive care afterwards:
Defibrillation
Further care at hospital
If paramedic backup in not available at scene:
Provide transport per protocol.
Continue CPR on the way.
Try not to interrupt CPR for more than a few seconds.

33. When Not to Start BLS (1 of 2)
If the patient has obvious signs of death
Rigor mortis (stiffening of body)
Dependent lividity (livor mortis)
Putrefaction or decomposition of body
Evidence of nonsurvivable injury (decapitation, dismemberment, burned beyond recognition)
Courtesy of AAOS

34. When Not to Start BLS (2 of 2)
If the patient and physician have previously agreed on do not resuscitate (DNR) orders:
Care can be a complicated issue.
Advance directives expressing patient’s wishes may be hard to find.
When in doubt, begin CPR.

35. When to Stop BLS (1 of 2)
Once you begin CPR, continue until (STOP acronym):
S Patient Starts breathing and has a pulse
T Patient is Transferred to another trained responder
O You are Out of strength
P Physician directs to discontinue

36. When to Stop BLS (2 of 2)
In short, CPR should be continued until patient care is transferred to physician or higher medical authority in field.
2010 AHA guidelines address prehospital cardiac arrest.
Resuscitative efforts can be terminated in some circumstances.

37. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (1 of 8)
Airway obstruction has many possible causes.
In adults, it usually occurs during a meal.
In children, it usually occurs during a meal or at play.

38. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (2 of 8)
Mild airway obstruction
Able to exchange air, but has signs of respiratory distress
Encourage patient to cough.
Give 100% oxygen by nonrebreathing mask.
Transport.
Observe for signs of a severe airway obstruction.

39. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (3 of 8)
Sudden, severe obstruction is usually easy to recognize in responsive patients.
In unresponsive patient, suspect obstruction if maneuvers to open airway and ventilate are ineffective.

40. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (4 of 8)
Abdominal-thrust maneuver (Heimlich) is recommended in responsive adults and children older than 1 year.
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41. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (5 of 8)
Instead of abdominal-thrust maneuver, use chest thrusts in:
Women in advanced stages of pregnancy
Very obese patients
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42. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (6 of 8)
In responsive patients who become unresponsive:
Begin with 30 chest compressions.
Open airway and look for foreign object that can be easily removed.
Assess for breathing.
If patient is not breathing, attempt to give one ventilation.
If air does not go in, reposition head and attempt one more ventilation.

43. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (7 of 8)
In responsive patients who become unresponsive (cont’d):
If the air still does not go in, give 30 chest compressions.
Look in mouth to visualize object. If you see it, remove it. If not, attempt to ventilate.
Continue steps 4 and 5 until object is removed and air flow established.
Once you can successfully ventilate, check for pulse. If no pulse, begin CPR with compressions.

44. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (8 of 8)
When the victim is found unresponsive:
Determine unresponsiveness.
Perform 30 compressions, open airway, and look in mouth.
Attempt to carefully remove any visible object.
Assess for breathing.
Attempt ventilation.

45. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Infants (1 of 2)
Responsive infants
Abdominal thrusts are not recommended for responsive infants.
Perform back slaps and chest thrusts.
Courtesy of AAOS
Courtesy of AAOS

46. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Infants (2 of 2)
In unresponsive infants, begin CPR but include one extra step:
Look inside the infant’s airway each time before ventilating.
Remove the object if seen.

47. Summary (1 of 9)
Basic life support (BLS), such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is a noninvasive series of emergency lifesaving procedures to treat airway obstruction, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest.
The effectiveness of BLS depends on prompt recognition of respiratory and/or cardiac arrest and the immediate initiation of treatment.

48. Summary (2 of 9)
BLS can be given by one or two AEMTs or EMTs, by EMRs, or by trained bystanders. No equipment is needed, but a barrier device should be used for rescue breathing.
The basic principles of BLS are the same for infants, children, and adults.

49. Summary (3 of 9)
You must first assess the patient’s circulation. If the patient has no pulse, provide artificial circulation by chest compressions at the rate and depth appropriate for the patient’s age.

50. Summary (4 of 9)
If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, attach it to the patient and provide defibrillation as indicated.
CPR can be performed with one or two rescuers. Two-rescuer CPR or a team approach is always the first choice.

51. Summary (5 of 9)
An impedance threshold device, mechanical piston device, or load-distributing band can be used as an adjunct to circulation to help improve the quality of compressions when providing CPR.
The head tilt–chin lift maneuver is effective for opening the airway of most patients.

52. Summary (6 of 9)
For patients who have suspected spinal injury, the jaw-thrust maneuver is indicated.
If a patient resumes effective breathing following rescue breathing, place him or her in the recovery position. This helps to maintain a clear airway in a patient with a decreased level of consciousness.

53. Summary (7 of 9)
Terminating resuscitative efforts in an adult with prehospital cardiac arrest should follow the BLS termination of resuscitation rule or the ALS termination of resuscitation rule, depending of whether BLS or ALS personnel are available at the scene.

54. Summary (8 of 9)
Specific techniques must be used for removing foreign bodies that obstruct the airway. Obstruction may be caused by many things, including relaxation of the tongue in an unresponsive patient (most common).

55. Summary (9 of 9)
The manual maneuvers recommended for removing a foreign body airway obstruction are the abdominal-thrust maneuver (Heimlich maneuver) and chest thrusts.

56. Review
Brain damage is very likely in a brain that does not receive oxygen for:
0–1 minutes.
0–4 minutes.
4–6 minutes.
6–10 minutes.

57. Review
Answer: D.
Rationale: Permanent brain damage is very likely if the brain is without oxygen for 6 minutes or longer. After 10 minutes without oxygen, irreversible brain damage is likely.

58. Review (1 of 2)
Brain damage is very likely in a brain that does not receive oxygen for:
0–1 minutes. Rationale: Cardiac irritability ensues at this stage.
0–4 minutes. Rationale: Brain damage is not likely at this stage.

59. Review (2 of 2)
Brain damage is very likely in a brain that does not receive oxygen for:
4–6 minutes. Rationale: Brain damage is possible at this stage, but not likely.
6–10 minutes. Rationale: Correct answer

60. Review
Which of the following sequences of events describes the AHA’s chain of survival?
Early access, early advanced care, early CPR, early defibrillation, integrated post-arrest care
Integrated post-arrest care, early advanced care, early defibrillation, early CPR, early access
Early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care, integrated post-arrest care
Early access, early defibrillation, early CPR, early advanced care, integrated post-arrest care

61. Review
Answer: C.
Rationale: The AHA has determined an ideal sequence of events that if taken can improve the chance of successful resuscitation of a patient who has an occurrence of sudden cardiac arrest: early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care, integrated post-arrest care. If any one of the links in the chain is absent, the patient is more likely to die.

62. Review (1 of 2)
Which of the following sequences of events describes the AHA’s chain of survival?
Early access, early advanced care, early CPR, early defibrillation, integrated post-arrest care Rationale: Early CPR and defibrillation come before advanced care.
Integrated post-arrest care, early advanced care, early defibrillation, early CPR, early access Rationale: Chain is completely backwards.

63. Review (2 of 2)
Which of the following sequences of events describes the AHA’s chain of survival?
Early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care, integrated post-arrest care Rationale: Correct answer
Early access, early defibrillation, early CPR, early advanced care, integrated post-arrest care Rationale: Early CPR comes before early defibrillation.

64. Review
For CPR to be effective, the patient must be on a firm surface, lying in the __________ position.
Fowler’s
prone
supine
recovery

65. Review
Answer: C.
Rationale: For CPR to be effective, the patient must be lying supine on a firm surface, with enough clear space around the patient for two rescuers to perform CPR. If the patient is crumpled up or lying face down, you will need to reposition him or her. The few seconds that you spend repositioning the patient properly will greatly improve the delivery and effectiveness of CPR.

66. Review (1 of 2)
For CPR to be effective, the patient must be on a firm surface, lying in the __________ position.
Fowler’s Rationale: The patient is sitting up with knees bent in this position, making it nearly impossible to make effective chest compressions.
prone Rationale: The patient is lying face down in this position.

67. Review (2 of 2)
For CPR to be effective, the patient must be on a firm surface, lying in the __________ position.
supine Rationale: Correct answer
recovery Rationale: The patient is lying face down with one knee bent and the head slightly tilted.

68. Review Checking the patient’s breathing should take: 1 second.
at least 1 second but no more than 5 seconds.
at least 10 seconds.
at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds.

69. Review
Answer: D.
Rationale: Checking the patient’s breathing should take at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. If the patient is not breathing, you must begin artificial ventilation.

70. Review (1 of 2) Checking the patient’s breathing should take:
1 second. Rationale: One second is not long enough to assess an entire respiratory cycle.
at least 1 second but no more than 5 seconds. Rationale: Five seconds may not be long enough to assess an entire respiratory cycle.

71. Review (2 of 2) Checking the patient’s breathing should take:
at least 10 seconds. Rationale: Ten seconds is a long time in this situation. The brain should not be deprived of oxygen for longer than 6 minutes. Every second counts.
at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. Rationale: Correct answer

72. Review
Artificial ventilation may result in the stomach becoming filled with air, a condition called:
gastric distention.
vomitus.
abdominal-thrust maneuver.
acute abdomen.

73. Review
Answer: A.
Rationale: Artificial ventilation may result in the stomach becoming filled with air, a condition called gastric distention. Gastric distention is likely to occur if you ventilate too fast, if you give too much air, or if the airway is not opened adequately. Therefore, it is important for you to give slow, gentle breaths.

74. Review (1 of 3)
Artificial ventilation may result in the stomach becoming filled with air, a condition called:
gastric distention. Rationale: Correct answer
vomitus. Rationale: Gastric distention may lead to vomitus. Vomitus is vomited material.

75. Review (2 of 3)
Artificial ventilation may result in the stomach becoming filled with air, a condition called:
abdominal-thrust maneuver. Rationale: The abdominal-thrust maneuver is a method of removing a foreign obstruction from an airway.

76. Review (3 of 3)
Artificial ventilation may result in the stomach becoming filled with air, a condition called:
acute abdomen. Rationale: Acute abdomen is a medical term referring to the sudden onset of abdominal pain, generally associated with severe, progressive problems that require medical attention.

77. Review
The __________ is a circumferential chest compression device composed of a constricting band and backboard.
mechanical piston device
load-distributing band
impedance threshold device
cardiopulmonary resuscitation

78. Review
Answer: B.
Rationale: The load-distributing band is a circumferential chest compression device composed of a constricting band and backboard. The device is either electronically or pneumatically driven to compress the heart by putting inward pressure on the thorax. As with the mechanical piston device, use of the device frees the rescuer to complete other tasks. It is lighter and easier to apply than the mechanical piston device.

79. Review (1 of 3)
The __________ is a circumferential chest compression device composed of a constricting band and backboard.
mechanical piston device Rationale: This device depresses the sternum via a compressed gas-powered plunger mounted on a backboard.
load-distributing band Rationale: Correct answer

80. Review (2 of 3)
The __________ is a circumferential chest compression device composed of a constricting band and backboard.
impedance threshold device Rationale: This valve device is placed between the endotracheal tube and a bag-mask device. It is designed to limit the air entering the lungs during the recoil phase.

81. Review (3 of 3)
The __________ is a circumferential chest compression device composed of a constricting band and backboard.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation Rationale: This procedure is used to establish artificial ventilation and circulation in a patient who is not breathing and has no pulse.

82. Review
Which of the following scenarios would warrant an interruption in CPR procedures?
An hysterical family member trying to gain access to the unresponsive patient
A vehicle honking its horn, anxious to pass by the scene on a blocked road
A small set of steps leading to the exit of the building, on the way to the ambulance
Being out of breath from trying to resuscitate a patient

83. Review
Answer: C.
Rationale: Try not to interrupt CPR for more than a few seconds, except when it is absolutely necessary. For example, if you have to move a patient up or down stairs, you should continue CPR until you arrive at the head or foot of the stairs, interrupt CPR at an agreed-on signal, and move quickly to the next level where you can resume CPR.

84. Review (1 of 3)
Which of the following scenarios would warrant an interruption in CPR procedures?
An hysterical family member trying to gain access to the unresponsive patient Rationale: Family members should be calmed down and reassured that the patient is in good hands. A hysterical family member does not warrant a break in CPR.

85. Review (2 of 3)
Which of the following scenarios would warrant an interruption in CPR procedures?
A vehicle honking its horn, anxious to pass by the scene on a blocked road Rationale: Your primary focus should be on the patient. Let the on-scene police and/or traffic control deal with upset motorists and blocked roadways.

86. Review (3 of 3)
Which of the following scenarios would warrant an interruption in CPR procedures?
A small set of steps leading to the exit of the building, on the way to the ambulance Rationale: Correct answer
Being out of breath while trying to resuscitate a patient Rationale: CPR should always be continued until the patient’s care is transferred to a physician in a hospital setting. Being out of breath does not mean being physically incapable of performing more CPR.

87. Review
Once you begin CPR in the field, you must continue until one of the following events occurs:
The patient stops breathing and has no pulse
The patient is transferred to another health care provider of equal or more advanced training
You are out of gas in the ambulance
A police officer assumes responsibility for the patient and gives direction to discontinue CPR

88. Review
Answer: B.
Rationale: The “T” in the “STOP” mnemonic stands for patient transfer to another health care provider of equal or more advanced training.

89. Review (1 of 3)
Once you begin CPR in the field, you must continue until one of the following events occurs:
The patient stops breathing and has no pulse Rationale: These are reasons to begin CPR.
The patient is transferred to another health care provider of equal or more advanced training
Rationale: Correct answer

90. Review (2 of 3)
Once you begin CPR in the field, you must continue until one of the following events occurs:
You are out of gas in the ambulance Rationale: This is not a valid reason to stop CPR. Being out of strength is a valid reason.

91. Review (3 of 3)
Once you begin CPR in the field, you must continue until one of the following events occurs:
A police officer assumes responsibility for the patient and gives direction to discontinue CPR Rationale: A physician who is present or providing online medical direction should assume responsibility for the patient and give direction to discontinue CPR.

92. Review
Instead of the abdominal-thrust maneuver, use __________ for women in advanced stages of pregnancy and patients who are very obese.
chest thrusts
the Sellick maneuver
basic life support
DNR orders

93. Review
Answer: A.
Rationale: You can perform the abdominal-thrust maneuver safely on all adults and children. However, for women in advanced stages of pregnancy and patients who are very obese, you should use chest thrusts.

94. Review (1 of 3)
Instead of the abdominal-thrust maneuver, use __________ for women in advanced stages of pregnancy and patients who are very obese.
chest thrusts Rationale: Correct answer
the Sellick maneuver Rationale: This technique is used to improve the view of the vocal cords during endotracheal intubation, a paramedic skill; also referred to as cricoid pressure.

95. Review (2 of 3)
Instead of the abdominal-thrust maneuver, use __________ for women in advanced stages of pregnancy and patients who are very obese.
basic life support Rationale: BLS is noninvasive emergency lifesaving care that is used to treat medical conditions. Chest thrusts are a BLS tactic.

96. Review (3 of 3)
Instead of the abdominal-thrust maneuver, use __________ for women in advanced stages of pregnancy and patients who are very obese.
DNR orders Rationale: Do not resuscitate orders are specific instructions not to perform lifesaving techniques on certain patients, for example those with a terminal illness. DNR orders have to be on hand and can be a complicated issue.

97. Review
In infants with difficulty breathing, you should intervene only if signs of (a) __________ develop, such as a weak, ineffective cough, cyanosis, stridor, absent air movement, or a decreasing level of consciousness.
sudden infant death syndrome
child abuse
bronchitis
severe airway obstruction

98. Review
Answer: D.
Rationale: With a mild airway obstruction, the patient can cough forcefully, although there may be wheezing between coughs. As long as the infant can breathe, cough, or talk, you should not interfere with his or her attempts to expel the foreign body and should allow the infant to continue coughing. Administer 100% oxygen with a nonrebreathing mask and provide transport to the emergency department.

99. Review (1 of 2)
In infants with difficulty breathing, you should intervene only if signs of (a) __________ develop, such as a weak, ineffective cough, cyanosis, stridor, absent air movement, or a decreasing level of consciousness.
sudden infant death syndrome Rationale: This is death of an infant or young child that remains unexplained after a complete autopsy.
child abuse Rationale: The obstruction may be the result of child abuse, but these signs are those of a severe airway obstruction.

100. Review (2 of 2)
In infants with difficulty breathing, you should intervene only if signs of (a) __________ develop, such as a weak, ineffective cough, cyanosis, stridor, absent air movement, or a decreasing level of consciousness.
bronchitis Rationale: This is an inflammation of the lung. It is not the direct result of a foreign body lodged in the airway.
severe airway obstruction Rationale: Correct answer

101. Credits
Chapter opener: © Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Courtesy of MIEMSS.
Background slide images: (light blue) © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS; (orange) © John Sartin/ShutterStock, Inc.
Review slide image: Courtesy of Rhonda Beck