Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Adults and Children
DNB Orthopaedics • October 2024 • Paper III • 10 Marks
Introduction
Basic Life Support (BLS) consists of immediate recognition of cardiac arrest, activation of emergency response, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) adds rhythm recognition, defibrillation/cardioversion, advanced airway management, vascular access, drugs and identification of reversible causes.
Chain of survival
Recognize arrest → activate help → CPR → defibrillate early → advanced life support → post-resuscitation care.
A. Adult Basic Life Support
Step 1 — Ensure Scene Safety
Confirm that the environment is safe for the rescuer and patient.
Step 2 — Check Responsiveness
Tap the shoulders and shout. If there is no response, call for help.
Step 3 — Activate Emergency Response and Get AED
Ask someone to activate the emergency system and bring an AED/defibrillator.
Step 4 — Check Breathing and Pulse
Check simultaneously for:
- Normal breathing
- Carotid pulse
Assessment should take no more than about 10 seconds. Gasping is not normal breathing.
No pulse + no normal breathing → start CPR immediately.
High-Quality Adult CPR
| Parameter | Adult |
|---|---|
| Compression rate | 100–120/min |
| Compression depth | About 5 cm, avoiding excessive depth |
| Hand… |