Basic Life Support (BLS) is a type of care that first-responders, healthcare providers, and public safety professionals provide to anyone who is experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or an obstructed airway. BLS is performed to support the patients circulation and respiration through the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until advanced life support arrives. The key elements of BLS include prompt recognition of cardiac arrest, calling for urgent medical assistance, early effective CPR with an emphasis on minimal disruptions to compressions, early defibrillation, early advanced life support, and integrated post-cardiac arrest care.
BLS training is available for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association both offer BLS courses that teach high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants. In addition to the physical skills necessary for providing BLS care to those in need, those working in basic life support also need to have critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and be able to work as part of a team to deliver the best care possible and improve patient outcomes.
