Basic Life Support (BLS) Introduction

CPR is the lifesaving tool that saves victims from cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in many parts of the world. Someone experiencing cardiac arrest may show any of the following signs:

• Sudden collapse
• Unresponsiveness
• Inability to breath (or gasping)
• Lack of pulse

Basic life support (BLS) for a patient going through cardiac arrest includes high-quality CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). BLS is also comprised of the delivery of ventilations to the patients in respiratory arrest.