BLS for Healthcare Providers Simplified Adult BLS Algorithm

Critical Concepts for Healthcare Providers

Simplified Adult BLS HCP

BLS
Unresponsive
for Healthcare Providers High-quality CPR improves a victim’s chances of   No breathing or
no normal breathing
Quick Reference survival. The critical characteristics of high-quality   (only gasping)
CPR include
C-A-B (Not A-B-C)
  • Start compressions within 10 seconds of
recognition of cardiac arrest. Activate Get
emergency defibrillator
  • Push hard, push fast: Compress at a rate of response

C
at least 100/min with a depth of at least 2 inches  
Chest (5 cm) for adults, approximately 2 inches (5 cm)  
Compressions for children, and approximately 1½ inches (4 cm)
Check pulse
for infants.
  • Allow complete chest recoil after each
compression.

A
Start CPR
  •  Minimize interruptions in compressions
(try to limit interruptions to <10 seconds).
Airway
  • Give effective breaths that make the
chest rise.
  • Avoid excessive ventilation.
Check rhythm/
shock if

B
indicated
Repeat every 2 minutes

Breathing

Pu
h

st
Ha Fa

s
rd • Pus h
© 2010 American Heart Association

KJ0901  3/11  © 2011 American Heart Association  Printed in the USA

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Adult BLS Algorithm Pediatric BLS Algorithm How to Become an AHA Instructor
for Healthcare Providers for Healthcare Providers

High-Quality CPR
Put your heart into training.
Unresponsive   High-Quality CPR Unresponsive
Not breathing or only gasping • Rate at least 100/min
No breathing or no normal breathing   • Rate at least 100/min • Compression  
        Learn from the leader.
(ie, only gasping) Send someone to activate emergency  
depth to at least  
• Compression depth at   response system, get AED/defibrillator
1/3 anterior-posterior
               Teach to save lives.
least 2 inches (5 cm)
diameter of chest,  
• Allow complete chest   Lone Rescuer:  about 1½ inches Are you interested in becoming an American Heart Association  
recoil after each   For SUDDEN   (4 cm) in infants   Instructor?
Activate emergency response system compression COLLAPSE,   and 2 inches (5 cm)  
Get AED/defibrillator activate   in children Consult an American Heart Association Training Center (TC) to find
• Minimize interruptions  
or send second rescuer   emergency   • Allow complete   out whether the TC is accepting new instructors and what the TC’s
in chest compressions
(if available) to do this response   chest recoil after each   preferred course delivery method is. Then, becoming an instructor is
• Avoid excessive system,   compression as easy as 1-2-3:
ventilation get AED/  • Minimize interruptions  
defibrillator in chest compressions   1.  Complete the Core Instructor Course.
• Avoid excessive
Definite ventilation   2. Complete a discipline-specific instructor course in BLS,
• Give 1 breath every 
Check pulse: Pulse Check pulse: Definite Heartsaver, ACLS, or PALS.
5 to 6 seconds DEFINITE pulse 
DEFINITE pulse  Pulse
• Recheck pulse   within 10 seconds? • Give 1 breath every     3. Get monitored by an American Heart Association TC or
within 10 seconds?
every 2 minutes 3 seconds Instructor.
• Add compressions  
No Pulse
No Pulse if pulse remains   AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
<60/min with  
One Rescuer: Begin cycles of poor perfusion despite
Begin cycles of 30 COMPRESSIONS 30 COMPRESSIONS and 2 BREATHS
and 2 BREATHS adequate oxygenation
and ventilation
Two Rescuers: Begin cycles of • Recheck pulse every  
15 COMPRESSIONS and 2 BREATHS 2 minutes INSTRUCTOR NETWORK
AED/defibrillator ARRIVES

After about 2 minutes, activate emergency response system 

and get AED/defibrillator (if not already done).
Use AED as soon as available. Renewal Schedule
a l
w le
Check rhythm
Shockable rhythm?
e
I ____________________________ (student name) took my  

n du
e
Check rhythm
Shockable Not Shockable BLS HCP course on _____________________ (date) at the
Shockable rhythm?

Give 1 shock Resume CPR immediately

Shockable Not Shockable
R he
________________________ Training Center/Site and am  

Sc
Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes Give 1 shock Resume CPR immediately
for 2 minutes Check rhythm every   due for a renewal course in _____________ (month/year).
Resume CPR immediately for 2 minutes
2 minutes; continue until   for 2 minutes Check rhythm every  
ALS providers take over or   2 minutes; continue until  
victim starts to move ALS providers take over or  
Note: The boxes bordered with dashed Note: The boxes bordered with dashed
lines are performed by healthcare   victim starts to move
lines are performed by healthcare  
providers and not by lay rescuers providers and not by lay rescuers

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