Adult Basic Life Support Guidelines
Adult Basic Life Support Guidelines
Adult Basic Life Support Guidelines
Authors
Gavin D Perkins
Mick Colquhoun
Charles D Deakin
Christopher Smith
Michael Smyth
Nigel Barraclough
Liz Yeates
Barry Klaassen
Lynn Thomas
Andrew Lockey
Jasmeet Soar
Jonathan Wyllie
Sue Hampshire
Mike Bower
Published May 2021.
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Key points
There are no major changes in the 2021 Basic Life Support Guidelines.
Cardiac arrest recognition remains a key priority as it is the first step in
triggering the emergency response to cardiac arrest.
Recognise cardiac arrest has occurred in any unresponsive person with
absent or abnormal breathing.
The ambulance call handler will assist with instructions for confirming
cardiac arrest, starting compression-only CPR, and locating, retrieving and
using an AED.
Provide chest compressions as soon as possible after cardiac arrest is
confirmed.
Send someone to fetch an AED and bring it to the scene of the cardiac
arrest. The British Heart Foundation database, “The Circuit” serves as a
national resource for the location of AEDs.
Use the recovery position, only if a person’s conscious level is reduced and
they do not meet the criteria for starting CPR.
Introduction
These guidelines are intended to support members of our communities who may
be called upon to act in an emergency and to help saves someone’s life. This
includes members of the public, children and family members, first responders,
and those with a duty to respond (e.g. lifeguards, first aiders). They complement
the Resuscitation Council UK Quality Standards for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
and Automated External Defibrillation Training in the Community which describe
that when cardiac arrest occurs, systems and education should be in place to
ensure that:
Guidelines
Alert the emergency medical services (EMS) immediately by dialling 999 on your
phone, if a person is unconscious with absent or abnormal breathing.
A lone bystander with a mobile phone should dial 999, activate the speaker
or another hands-free option on the mobile phone and immediately start CPR
assisted by the dispatcher.
If you are a lone rescuer and you have to leave a victim to ring the
ambulance service, alert the ambulance service first and then start CPR.
High-quality chest compressions
Rescue breaths
AED
As soon as the AED arrives, or if one is already available at the site of the
cardiac arrest, switch it on.
Attach the electrode pads to the person's (who has sustained cardiac arrest)
bare chest according to the position shown on the AED or on the pads.
If more than one rescuer is present, continue CPR whilst the pads are being
attached.
Follow the spoken (and/or visual) prompts from the AED.
Ensure that nobody is touching the person whilst the AED is analysing the
heart rhythm.
If a shock is indicated, ensure that nobody is touching the person. Push the
shock button as prompted. Immediately restart CPR with 30 compressions. If
no shock is indicated, immediately restart CPR with 30 compressions.
In either case, continue with CPR as prompted by the AED. There will be a
period of CPR (commonly 2 minutes) before the AED prompts for a further
pause in CPR for rhythm analysis.
Continue CPR until an AED (or other type of defibrillator) arrives on site and
is switched on and attached to the person.
Do not delay defibrillation to provide additional CPR once the defibrillator is
ready.
Safety of AEDs
Many studies of public access defibrillation have shown that AEDs can be
used safely by bystanders and first responders. Although injury to the CPR
provider from a shock by a defibrillator is extremely rare, do not continue
chest compression during shock delivery.
Safety
Make sure you, the person and any bystanders are safe.
Members of the public should start CPR for presumed cardiac arrest without
concerns of causing harm to those not in cardiac arrest.
Members of the public may safely perform chest compressions and use an
AED as the risk of infection during compressions and harm from accidental
shock during AED use is very low.
Separate guidelines have been developed for resuscitation of those with
suspected or confirmed acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-
CoV-2).
Recovery Position
References
Olasveengen TM, Mancini ME, Perkins GD, et al. Adult Basic Life Support:
International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation
2020;156:A35-A79.
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Downloads
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