1. Chapter 7
Basic Life Support

2. Life-Saving Procedures
Clearing an obstructed airway
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Use of automated external defibrillator (AED)
NOTE: Proper training and certification are needed to prepare for a lifesaving event.

3. Legal Considerations Good Samaritan Laws
Passed in all states to encourage bystanders to provide the required help in all situations
Laws vary from state to state.
Be familiar with the laws in your state.
Everyone has the right to refuse any medical care.

4. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Procedure that combines rescue breathing and chest compressions
Rescue breathing supplies oxygen to the lungs.
Chest compressions circulate blood throughout the body.
CPR is done whenever the heart and lungs stop working.

5. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Surviving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is dependent on how fast a patient is defibrillated.
For each minute a patient is in arrest, the chance of survival decreases by about 10%.
Very few people are resuscitated after 10 minutes.

6. Chain of Survival Immediate recognition and activation of EMS
Early CPR with an emphasis on effective chest compression
Rapid defibrillation
Effective advanced life-support procedures (by paramedics or high medical personnel)
Integrated post–cardiac arrest care

7. Personal Safety Use the acronym SETUP to remember personal safety:
Stop
Environment
Traffic
Unknown hazards
Protect yourself and the patient

8. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
A small, portable device that can accurately identify whether defibrillation is needed
Analyzes heart rhythm
Advises rescuer when shock is indicated
Provides necessary shock to patient through electrodes
Can dramatically improve survival rate

9. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Careful training is necessary.
The trained rescuer has the ability to provide defibrillation much earlier than EMS when it is accessible.

10. Foreign Body Airway Obstructions
Can occur in a conscious or unconscious person
When choking, the victim’s hands usually grasp the neck.
Universal sign of choking
Completely obstructed airway
Victim unable to cough, speak, or breathe

11. Obstructed Airway Maneuver
If the victim cannot talk, cough or breathe, begin this maneuver.
Rescuer stands behind conscious victim
Wrap your hands around victim’s waist and make a fist with one hand
Place the thumb side of the fist against the victim’s abdomen directly above the navel but below the sternum.

12. Obstructed Airway Maneuver
Grasp fist with your other hand
With a quick upward thrust, attempt to knock the wind out of the person to remove the obstruction.
Continue until the person is able to breathe again.

13. An Unconscious Patient with an Airway Obstruction
Lay the patient in a supine position.
Begin CPR, starting with compressions.
Look in the patient’s mouth and remove anything seen.
Stand behind the victim, with your arms under the victim’s armpits, and surround the chest.

14. An Unconscious Patient with an Airway Obstruction
Place the thumb side of your fist in the middle of the victim’s chest.
Grab your other hand, and with a quick backward thrust, attempt to knock the wind out of the person to remove the obstruction.
Continue until the person is able to breathe again.

15. The Log Roll
Log roll is a procedure used to turn over a patient who is laying face-down without causing additional injury to the spine
Improper lifting and moving is a leading cause of back injury.
Do not practice this move if you have a history of back problems.

16. The Log Roll
Pay careful attention to proper lifting and moving techniques at all times.
Use your legs, not your back.
Keep your weight as close to the patient’s body as possible.
Avoid twisting, sustained or intense exertion, and awkward or extreme postures.

17. The Log Roll
A single rescuer can accomplish the log roll; however the more rescuers that are available, the safer the log roll is for the patient.