What is Basic Life Support? Your Guide
Basic life support is a critical skill set that equips individuals to respond effectively in emergencies, particularly in situations involving cardiac arrest. By understanding the fundamental steps of basic life support, including techniques like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an external defibrillator, you can make a significant difference in a life-threatening emergency.
For organisations looking to train their staff on BLS, our Basic Life Support Training Course offers comprehensive instruction to ensure your team is prepared to act confidently and competently in emergencies.
What is Basic Life Support?
Basic life support (BLS) refers to the immediate care provided to individuals experiencing life-threatening emergencies, before advanced medical services arrive. The primary goal of BLS is to maintain circulation and breathing, ensuring oxygen continues to flow to vital organs.
BLS is designed to be performed by both healthcare professionals and trained laypeople, making it an essential skill for anyone who might need to respond to an emergency.
Basic life support comprises three critical components:
- Primary Survey (DRSABCD): This involves assessing the situation and the individual’s condition to determine the best course of action, following the DRSABCD steps—Danger, Response, Send for Help, Airway, Breathing, Circulation (Call 999), and Defibrillation.
- Airway Maintenance & Breathing: Ensuring the airway is clear and maintaining breathing through rescue breaths or other techniques to keep oxygen flowing to the lungs.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Performing chest compressions and rescue breaths to manually support the circulation of blood and oxygen until emergency services arrive.
What is the Purpose of Basic Life Support?
The purpose of basic life support (BLS) is to sustain life during critical moments after a cardiac arrest or other emergencies. BLS stabilises the individual by maintaining vital functions – an open airway, effective breathing, and circulation – until advanced life support arrives. In wider care settings, staff may also be required to support clinical procedures such as venepuncture training, making ongoing clinical skills development essential.
In a cardiac arrest, timely BLS techniques, such as chest compressions and rescue breaths, help maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain and heart, increasing the chances of survival. BLS also serves as a crucial link in the chain of survival, ensuring immediate, life-saving action while waiting for emergency services.
DRSABCD: The 7 Steps of BLS
The primary survey is a systematic approach used in basic life support to quickly assess and manage life-threatening conditions. The acronym DRSABCD provides basic life support guidelines, outlining what steps to take in an emergency. Each letter in the acronym represents a critical action that can make a difference in saving a life.
D – Danger: Before approaching the individual, ensure the environment is safe for both the rescuer and the person in need. Scene safety is vital to avoid further harm.
R – Response: Check if the individual is responsive by gently shaking them and asking if they are okay. A lack of response indicates the need for immediate assistance. If the individual is responsive, manoeuvre them into the recovery position before moving to the next step.
S – Send for Help: Call out for assistance immediately, ensuring someone is available to call 999 or help with CPR when needed. Quick action is crucial in ensuring that advanced life support arrives as soon as possible.
A – Airway: Open the individual’s airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. This step prevents the tongue from blocking the airway, allowing for effective breathing.
B – Breathing: Check if the individual is breathing normally by looking, listening, and feeling for breaths. If breathing is absent or abnormal, prepare to give rescue breaths and perform CPR.
C – Call 999 / Circulation: If the individual is not breathing normally, call 999 and begin CPR. Compressions should be deep and at a steady rhythm to maintain blood flow.
D – Defibrillation: If available, use an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible. Early defibrillation can significantly increase the chances of survival in cases of cardiac arrest.
Airway Maintenance & Breathing
Airway maintenance and effective breathing are vital components of basic life support. Ensuring that an individual’s airway remains open and clear is crucial for oxygen to reach the lungs, which is necessary to sustain life. Without a clear airway, the person will be unable to breathe, leading to rapid deterioration.
Airway Maintenance: The first step in airway management is to ensure the airway is open. This is typically done by performing the head-tilt, chin-lift manoeuvre. By gently tilting the individual’s head back and lifting the chin, the rescuer can prevent the tongue from obstructing the airway.
Breathing Assessment: Once the airway is open, it’s essential to assess the individual’s breathing. Look for chest rise, listen for breath sounds, and feel for breath against your cheek. If the individual is not breathing or is only gasping (agonal breathing), it’s critical to begin CPR immediately. If the individual is breathing well, move them into the recovery position and monitor them until emergency services arrive.
Rescue Breaths: Rescue breaths involve delivering air directly into the individual’s lungs to provide the oxygen they need. This is done during CPR by sealing your mouth over the individual’s mouth (or using a barrier device) and giving a slow, steady breath, watching for the chest to rise. After the first breath, allow the chest to fall before giving a second breath. Proper technique is crucial to ensure the air reaches the lungs and not the stomach, which can cause complications like vomiting.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) maintains the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and other essential organs during a cardiac arrest. When the heart stops functioning effectively, CPR can sustain blood circulation and provide oxygen until advanced medical help arrives.
Chest Compressions: To perform chest compressions, place the heel of one hand on the centre of the individual’s chest, over the lower sternum. Position your other hand on top, interlocking your fingers, and keep your arms straight. Push down firmly and quickly, compressing the chest by at least 5 -6cm for adults, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. It’s important to allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions to maximise blood flow. Proper chest compressions are crucial as they mimic the heart’s pumping action, maintaining circulation to vital organs.
Rescue Breaths: In addition to chest compressions, rescue breaths are essential for providing oxygen to the lungs. The recommended method is to deliver 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This combination helps to maintain both circulation and oxygenation until normal heart function can be restored. If you are not comfortable delivering rescue breaths, still administer compression-only CPR.
Use of an External Defibrillator: An automated external defibrillator (AED) should be used as soon as it is available. AEDs are designed to assess the heart’s rhythm and deliver a shock if necessary to restore a regular heartbeat. Continue CPR while setting up the AED, and follow its prompts to deliver a shock if needed. After delivering a shock, or if no shock is advised, immediately resume CPR until emergency response arrives.
Overcoming Concerns About Providing Basic Life Support
It’s common to feel apprehensive about providing basic life support, which can hinder people from taking action. Here are some common concerns and how to address them:
Fear of Doing Harm
One of the most common concerns is the fear of causing more harm than good. However, it’s important to understand that in a situation where basic life support is required, the individual is already in a life-threatening condition. Any attempt to assist, such as performing CPR or using an external defibrillator, can significantly increase their chances of survival. Remember, doing something is almost always better than doing nothing – even if this is simply calling emergency services.
Fear of Coming to Harm
Another concern is the fear of personal safety while providing assistance. Before taking any action, it’s essential to assess the scene for potential dangers. By following your training and ensuring that the environment is safe, you can minimise the risk to yourself. Always prioritise calling emergency services as soon as possible, as they are equipped to handle the situation professionally.
Lack of Confidence
Many people hesitate because they feel unprepared or unsure of their abilities. Confidence in providing basic life support comes with regular training and practice. Participating in refresher courses and hands-on practice sessions can help you feel more comfortable and ready to act when needed.
Importance of Consent
Consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare and a key aspect of providing basic life support. When approaching an individual in need, it’s essential to seek their consent before taking any action. If the person is conscious and responsive, always ask if you can help. This not only respects their autonomy but also ensures that they are comfortable with the assistance you provide.
In situations where the individual is unconscious or unresponsive, you can assume implied consent. This means that it is reasonable to believe that they would want your help in an emergency. Implied consent allows you to proceed with providing basic life support, such as performing CPR or using an external defibrillator, without hesitation.
Understanding and respecting consent, whether explicit or implied, ensures that your actions align with ethical standards in healthcare. It reinforces the importance of acting with both care and consideration during life-saving situations.
Looking After Yourself
Witnessing or providing basic life support can be an emotionally challenging experience. It’s essential to prioritise your own wellbeing after such an event. If you’ve been involved in providing basic life support, take time to process what happened and don’t hesitate to seek support. Talk to your manager or reach out to mental health professionals who can help you navigate any feelings of stress or anxiety that may arise.
Remember, your employer has a duty to support you through this process. Whether through counselling services, debriefing sessions, or other forms of assistance. Taking care of yourself is just as crucial as taking care of others.
Looking for BLS Training?
Basic Life Support is a critical skill that can make a life-or-death difference in emergencies. Familiarising yourself with the steps of BLS and staying up-to-date with training ensures that you’re prepared to act confidently and effectively when it matters most.
For more in-depth training and to keep organisational BLS skills up to date, consider our First Aid and Basic Life Support course. Equip yourself and your staff with the knowledge and confidence needed to act swiftly and save lives.
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