1. BLS for Health Care Providers
Jacki Malone, RN, BSN

2. Introduction BLS= Basic Life Support
BLS= Basic Life Support
Needed for a person whose breathing or heart has stopped
Ventilations (breaths) are given if breathing is inadequate or has stopped. WHY?
To oxygenate blood
Chest compressions are given if heart has stopped. WHY?
To circulate that oxygenated blood to vital organs
Ventilations + Chest compressions = CPR
CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resusciation
Introduction

3. CPR Saves Lives Commonly given to patients in cardiac arrest
CPR & defibrillation (AED) within 3-5 minutes of arrest can save over 50% of victims
CPR helps keep victim alive until EMS or AED arrives
CPR Saves Lives

4. Circulatory system consists of heart, blood and blood vessels
Transports blood to lungs
Heart beats more than 3 billion times in an average lifetime
Cardiovascular disease (affects heart and blood vessels) affects 80 million Americans
Basic Cardiac Info

5. Cardiac Arrest Complete cessation of heart activity Causes
Heart attack (muscle damage) *Diabetic Emergency
Coronary heart disease *Prolonged seizures
Drowning *Drug overdose
Suffocation *Electric shock
Stroke
Allergic reaction
Cardiac Arrest

6. Heart Attack Decreased blood flow to the heart= chest pain
Reduction in blood and O2 to the heart= heart attack
Heart Attack

7. Heart Attack Signs and Symtpoms
Chest pain, discomfort or pressure
Persistent
Lasts 3-5 minutes, goes away, then comes back
Can range from discomfort to crushing
Aching or heaviness (“there’s an elephant on my chest”)
Trouble breathing
Change in skin color
Sweating, dizziness, nausea
Discomfort in other areas of upper body
Heart Attack Signs and Symtpoms

8. Heart Attack Signs and Symtpoms
Women:
Back/jaw pain
Nausea & vomiting
Fatigue
Sudden and sharp short lived pain outside the breastbone
Heart Attack Signs and Symtpoms

9. Chain of Survival Early Access Early CPR Early Defibrillation
You get there as it happens or right after
Early CPR
CPR is quickly began
Early Defibrillation
EMS/AED arrived
Early Advanced Care
EMS/ER
Chain of Survival

10. Blood circulation from compressions are not as strong at circulation from the hearts normal beat
CPR can help keep brain alive until normal rhythm restored
Often, electric shock (AED) is needed to restore rhythm
CPR is only effective for a short time
CPR should be started as soon as possible
In some instances, the heart may start spontaneously with CPR
CPR Facts

11. What to do….. 1. Recognize an emergency Activate emergency response
signs and symptoms
See someone go down
Activate emergency response
Call 911 or designate someone to do so
What to do…..

12. What to do Check ABC’s Head tilt Look, listen and feel (HOW LONG?)
10 seconds
Breathing?
Great, check for pulse and place in recovery position
Not breathing?
Give two rescue breaths
Check for pulse. Begin CPR (if no pulse)
What to do

13. Chest Compressions Position yourself at victim’s side
Victim should be lying face up
FIRM SURFACE
If suspected head/neck injury, remember to support neck while turning and keep head, neck and torso in one line
Chest Compressions

14. Chest compressions Hand placement
Put the heel of one hand on the center of the victim’s chest on the lower half of the sternum
Put the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand
Lock fingers
Position yourself directly over the victim
Straighten your arms and position your shoulders directly over your hands
Chest compressions

15. Chest Compressions Rate and Depth Push hard and fast
Straight down at least two inches
Compressions should be given in a smooth, constant, consistant fashion at a rate of at least 100 bpm.
Allow FULL RECOIL between compressions
Chest Compressions

16. CPR Rescue breathing (ventillation) and Compressions
30 compressions + 2 breaths=one cycle
Repeat
CPR

17. Putting it all together
Get a manikin for some guided practice…….
Putting it all together

18. Steps in CPR CHECK THE SCENE FOR SAFETY
1. Assess for responsiveness. Open airway and look for normal/abnormal breathing. If there is no response and no breathing, shout for help.
2. If no one is around, call 911.
Get an AED if available (for these purposes, we are assuming there is not one available).
Steps in CPR

19. 3. Check the victim’s pulse
Carotid artery
Steps in CPR

20. 4. If you do not definitely feel a pulse within 10 seconds, perform 5 cycles of compressions/breaths, starting with compressions.
30 compressions, two breaths
Repeat x 5
Steps in CPR

21. Steps in CPR Things to remember
Rescue breaths given over 1 second each
Watch your hand position
Keep fingers off
Keep elbows locked
Allow full recoil
Minimize time between ventilations and compressions
Steps in CPR

22. What is the rate for chest compressions for a victim of any age?
100 compressions per minute
REVIEW

23. REVIEW Why do you need to allow for full recoil between compressions?
This is when the heart fills back up with blood
REVIEW

24. After you open the airway and pinch the nose of an unresponsive adult/child, what his the BEST way to give mouth to mouth breaths?
Seal your mouth over the victim’s mouth and give two breaths (1 second each), watching the chest rise
REVIEW

25. What is the best way for a rescuer to know that a rescue breath is effective?
The chest will rise with each breath
REVIEW

26. When you do not suspect a cervical spine injury, what is the best way to open the airway of an unresponsive victim?
Head tilt/chin lift technique
REVIEW

27. A person shows signs of circulation (a heartbeat) and breathing on their own after CPR was started. What should you do?
Place the victim in the recovery position and monitor until EMS arrives.
REVIEW

28. REVIEW The purpose of the recovery position is to:
Prevent aspiration (keep the fluids out of their throat/lungs)
REVIEW

29. You find a victim lying on his right side
You find a victim lying on his right side. He is not breathing but has a good pulse. What should you do?
Call 911
Give rescue breaths every 5 seconds
REVIEW

30. REVIEW What happens during cardiac arrest?
The heart stops completely and there is no breathing
REVIEW

31. Before starting chest compressions, you need to check for a pulse
Before starting chest compressions, you need to check for a pulse. What pulse site should you use?
Carotid (neck)
REVIEW

32. What is the best way to remove a foreign body airway obstruction in a conscious adult?
Back blows and abdominal thrusts (5 & 5)
REVIEW

33. Any questions??