Basic Life Support (BLS) Numbers You Need To Know

Questions and Answers – by the numbers…

Assessment of an Unresponsive Victim

Q: What is the first thing the rescuer should do upon finding an unresponsive victim?
A: Make sure the scene is safe

Q: What is the 3 step process the rescuer should execute once scene safety has been evaluated?
A: Step 1: Check for responsiveness and Scan the Chest for breathing
Step 2: Activate the Emergency Response System and get an AED if available
Step 3: Check a carotid pulse for no longer than 10 seconds

Q: How long should the assessment of any unresponsive person be before CPR is started?
A: Less than 10 seconds

*** All interventions in BLS, including the time taken to check for a pulse should be less than 10 seconds.

Respiratory Arrest

Q: When an adult is in respiratory arrest how often should the rescuer deliver rescue breaths?
A: The rescuer should deliver one breath every 5 to 6 seconds.

Q: How often should the rescuer deliver ventilations to an adult victim in a respiratory arrest that has an artificial airway in place, such as an endotracheal tube?
A: The rescuer should deliver one breath every 6 to 8 seconds.

Q: How often should an infant or child in respiratory arrest receive ventilation?
A: The rescuer should deliver one breath every 3 to 5 seconds.

Q: If no pocket mask or protective devices are available how should the rescuer provide ventilation to the victim?
A: Head tilt chin lifts to open the airway and then pinch the nose closed and seal your mouth over the victim’s mouth to provide the rescue breaths.




Adult Chest Compressions

Q: How deep should the rescuer compress the adult victim’s chest when delivering chest compressions?
A: 2 inches

Q: How fast should chest compressions be delivered?
A: The rescuer should be compressing the chest at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute.

Q: What is the third important component of providing high-quality chest compressions?
A: The rescuer must allow for complete chest recoil between each compression.
1 and 2 Rescuer CPR for an Adult With An AED

Q: What is the compression-ventilation ratio for 1 and 2 rescuer CPR for an adult?
A: 30 compressions followed by two ventilations ( always start with compressions )

Q: What is the first thing the rescuer should do when the AED arrives?
A: Turn it on

Q: After the AED delivers a shock what should the rescuer do?
A: Resume CPR beginning with chest compressions.

Q: When there are 2 rescuers how often should they switch places?
A: When there is not an AED available the 2 rescuers should switch places every 5 cycles of CPR ( 1 cycle is 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations ) or every 2 minutes. If an AED has been applied to the unresponsive victim the 2 rescuers will switch every time the AED reanalyzes the cardiac rhythm.

Q: How does the compression/ventilation ratio change when there is an advanced airway or endotracheal tube in place while the victim is in cardiac arrest?
A: The rescuer managing the airway would deliver 1 breath every 6 to 8 seconds while the rescuer managing chest compressions would deliver chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute without pauses.

Infant CPR ( 0 to 1 year of age )

Q: What is the compression ventilation ratio for 1 rescuer infant CPR?
A: 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations

Q: What is the compression ventilation ratio for 2 rescuers CPR in an infant?
A: 15 compressions followed by 2 ventilations

Q: Is it okay to use an AED on an infant?
A: Yes. Pediatric defibrillation pads are preferred, however, if no pediatric defibrillation pads are available the rescuer can apply the adult pad as long as they do not overlap.

Q: How deep should the rescuer compress the infant’s chest when providing chest compressions?
A: The compressor should compress the chest 1 third of the chest depth diameter.
This is about one and a half inches in an infant.

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