Basic Life Support (BLS)

• Review Basic Life Support following the DRSABCD acronym.
• Demonstrate Basic Life Support skills

Definitions of an infant or child are based on combinations of physiology, age and physical size.

Child               A child is defined as being between 1 to 18 years of age.

Infant            An infant is defined as 0 – 12 months of age (more than a few hours post birth to 1 year), excluding newborns (newborn refers to an infant at the time of birth).

From a practical perspective, adult guidelines can be used for anyone who appears to be an adult.

The physiology of paediatric arrest results in lower rates of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardiac than adults.  Optimizing airway patency with provision of effective ventilation and oxygenation are fundamental components.

ANZCOR Guideline 12.1, 2024

Definitions of Basic and Advanced Life Support

“Basic Life Support (BLS) is the preservation or restoration of life by the establishment of and/or maintenance of airway, breathing and circulation, and related emergency care.  The use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by BLS providers is encouraged.”Advanced Life Support (ALS) is basic life support with the addition of invasive techniques (i.e.:  manual defibrillation, advanced airway management, IV/IO access and pharmacologic agents e.g.: adrenaline, amiodarone and fluid replacement).

ANZCOR Guidelines, 2024

DRSABCD provides an easy to remember mnemonic to provide effective BLS.D    =    Danger – check for hazards, risks, ensure safety

R    =    Responsive – check for responsiveness

S    =    Send for help

A    =    Airway – clear & open the airway

B    =    Breathing – check for normal breathing

C    =    CPR – start CPR

D    =    Defibrillation – use Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available

ANZCOR Guideline 8, 2024

DRSABCD Paed Table BLS Quick Reference BLS Paed Flow Chart

CPR should be performed immediately if a collapsed infant or child is unresponsive and not breathing normally.Additional signs include pallor, cyanosis, absent or low pulse rate.