General Concepts of Basic Life Support

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States; it is responsible for more than 600,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Studies are continually looking for ways to improve how we react to emergencies with life-saving methods. These techniques are derived from the most current research, compiled in a systematic label called the Chain of Survival, which can be traced to the concept of Basic Life Support (BLS). The Chain of Survival gives the victim the highest possibility of receiving the necessary care and returning to a healthy lifestyle.

The lungs receive blood pumped by the heart, and from here the blood receives oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. This blood flows back to the heart and is injected into vital organs—the heart and the brain—as well as the rest of the body. A person becomes unconscious immediately as soon as the heart stops, which ultimately leads to no blood flowing in the body. The responses taught by BLS are aimed at preventing or slowing down the problem’s cause until the root of the problem can be inspected by a medical practitioner. BLS allows people a better chance of survival until further medical care is made available.