What is Basic Life Support?
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
We rarely think about medical emergencies until we suddenly face one. Would you know how to act if you found someone who had collapsed or was in clear medical distress? Those initial moments in an emergency are vital to increasing a patient’s chances of survival.
Many people complete specific cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses. However, CPR is only one component of a first response. While CPR focuses strictly on reviving someone whose breathing or heart has stopped, Basic Life Support (BLS) focuses on broader stabilization tactics. BLS skills aim to keep a patient’s breathing and heart from stopping in the first place.
In a nutshell, basic life support is the initial response used to stabilize a patient during a medical emergency. For example, if a conscious patient is choking, BLS skills allow you to assess the situation and clear the obstruction. This vital intervention prevents the patient from losing consciousness or ceasing to breathe entirely. Essentially, BLS acts as an essential preventative step before CPR becomes necessary.
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Are BLS and CPR the same?
Although people frequently use these terms interchangeably, BLS and CPR are not the same. CPR is actually a subset of BLS.
The primary goal of BLS is to assess an emergency, secure the patient’s airway, and maintain oxygen circulation to prevent further deterioration. First responders achieve this by following the fundamental “ABC” protocol:
- A – Airway Control: Keeping the airway completely open and clear.
- B – Breathing: Ensuring the patient continues to breathe effectively.
- C – Circulation: Verifying that blood moves efficiently throughout the body.
In contrast, you only perform CPR once a patient stops breathing normally and their heart stops beating effectively.
The Emergency BLS Algorithm
The “BLS algorithm” is simply a professional term for the specific step-by-step actions you must take during an emergency. Follow these critical stages:
- Check Response and Breathing: Is the patient responsive and breathing? If yes, keep them comfortable, loosen tight clothing, and continuously monitor their condition.
- Assess Consciousness: If the patient is unresponsive or has a reduced level of consciousness, immediately open their airway and check for signs of life.
- Call for Emergency Assistance: Shouting for nearby help or call 999/112 immediately for emergency medical guidance.
- Utilize the Recovery Position: If the patient is unresponsive but breathing normally, place them into the recovery position to keep their airway safe.
- Begin High-Quality CPR: If the patient is not breathing normally, start CPR immediately. Emergency operators will provide over-the-phone rhythmic guidance.
- Deploy an AED: If an Automated External Defibrillator is available, turn it on and follow its vocal prompts alongside instructions from the emergency services.
Professional BLS Training Courses
Because BLS covers a wider clinical scope than standalone CPR, completing a dedicated training course ensures you can confidently intervene before a situation escalates.
At Chris Garland Training, we deliver a comprehensive suite of BLS courses tailored to your specific needs:
- BLS for Dentists: A specialised 2-hour CPD course meeting annual regulatory requirements for dental professionals dealing with medical emergencies.
- Standard Basic Life Support: A comprehensive 3-hour course ideal for corporate teams, community groups, or individuals seeking essential life-saving skills.
- BLS Trainer the Trainer: A premium course designed for companies looking to bring skills in-house. This course qualifies your staff to internally train and assess others in Basic Life Support protocols, drastically reducing long-term corporate training costs.
If you want to protect your workplace, qualify an internal instructor, or learn more about upcoming course dates, contact the team at Chris Garland Training today to discuss your requirements.
