- ACLS BLS for Adults
- Initiating the Chain of Survival
- 2025 BLS Guideline Changes
- One Rescuer Adult BLS CPR
- Two Rescuer Adult BLS CPR
- Adult Mouth-to-Mask and Bag-Mask Ventilation
- Adult Basic Life Support (BLS) Algorithm
- BLS for Children/Infants
- CPR Steps for Children
- One-Rescuer BLS/CPR for Infant (newborn to age 12 months)
- CPR Steps for Infants
- Child/Infant Mouth-to-Mouth Ventilation
- ACLS Cases Respiratory Arrest
- Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation
- Pulseless Electrical Activity Asystole
- Adult Cardiac Arrest Algorithm
- Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
- Adult Immediate Post-Cardiac Arrest Care Algorithm
- Symptomatic Bradycardia
- Adult Bradycardia with Pulse Algorithm
- Tachycardia
- Stable And Unstable Tachycardia
- Adult Tachycardia With Pulse Algorithm
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Acute Coronary Syndrome Algorithm
- Acute Stroke
- Acute Stroke Algorithm
Initiating the Chain of Survival
The ILCOR has updated the Basic Life Support (BLS) course over the years as new research in cardiac care has become available. Cardiac arrest continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States. BLS guidelines have changed dramatically, and the elements of BLS continue to be some of the most important steps in the initial treatment. General concepts of BLS include:
- Quickly starting the Chain of Survival.
- Delivering high-quality chest compressions for adults, children, and infants.
- Knowing where to locate and understanding how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
- Providing rescue breathing when appropriate.
- Understanding how to perform as a team.
- Knowing how to treat choking.
INITIATING THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
Early initiation of BLS has been shown to increase the probability of survival for an individual dealing with cardiac arrest. To increase the odds of surviving a cardiac event, the rescuer should follow the steps in the Chain of Survival (Figure 1) inow standardized for all ages.
Chain of Survival
Emergencies in children and infants are not usually caused by the heart. Children and infants most often have breathing problems that trigger cardiac arrest. cardiac arrest. The Chain of Survival (Figure 1) is now standardized across all ages — including infants and children. The first priority in pediatric cardiac arrest remains prevention.
