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Basic Life Support Guidelines and Algorithms

A country's medical associations can provide guidelines for people attempting to rescue victims of choking, drowning, cardiac arrest and some other emergencies. Algorithms for basic life support are designed to help people save lives when they don't have immediate access to medical professionals or equipment. In 2005 in the U.S., the American Heart Association published its BLS algorithm.

  1. Simple Algorithm for Bystanders

    • If you encounter an unconscious, unresponsive person, you may be able to prevent catastrophe by administering BLS. The first step is always to call 911 or the emergency network in your area. Ideally, ask someone else to call so you can begin helping the victim. If the person is not already lying on his back, carefully reposition him. Use both of your hands to tilt the victim's head back and lift the chin, opening the airway. Check for breathing for 10 seconds. If you are certain the victim isn't breathing, close his nose with one hand and give two mouth-to-mouth breaths, ensuring the victim's chest rises and falls. Next, check for a pulse for 10 seconds. If there is a pulse, give one breath every five to six seconds (every two to three seconds for children), and make sure the victim continues to have a pulse every two minutes. If there is no pulse, give 30 chest compressions, then two breaths. Repeat the cycle until help arrives. Chest compressions should be administered very firmly, in the center of the chest, with your elbows locked, and at a rate of about 100 per minute.

    Complications

    • Providing BLS to an unconscious person isn't usually easy, especially if you're not sure what happened to the victim. If the artificial breaths you administer do not cause the victim's chest to rise and fall, there may be something blocking the victim's airway. Open his mouth and look for foreign objects. If you can see an obstruction, use the finger sweep method to attempt removal. If you cannot see anything blocking the airway, is it not advisable to do a "blind" finger sweep; you could push an object further into the victim's throat. Chest thrusts may be effective in removing the object.

      The method used to open the airway before administering life support is called the "head tilt/chin lift" technique, moving the head back and the chin up. If you suspect that victim has sustained a spinal injury, use care not to exacerbate it. Ascertain that the person isn't breathing or has no pulse before attempting to reposition him, and then be extremely careful with the head tilt/chin lift technique.

    Warnings

    • Training in BLS is available from many sources. To ensure you would be able to help in an emergency situation, take professional training. Stay abreast in rescue techniques by reviewing what you know often; not only would you want to recall them easily in an emergency, but recommendations sometimes change.

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