i
, Basic Life Support
Provider Manual
© 2020 American Heart Association
Printed in the United States of America
First American Heart Association Printing October 2020
Acknowledgments
The American Heart Association thanks the following people for their
contributions to the development of this manual: Jose G. Cabañas, MD,
MPH; Jeanette Previdi, MPH, RN; Matthew Douma, RN; Bryan Fischberg,
NRP; Sonni Logan, MSN, RN, CEN, CVN, CPEN; Mary Elizabeth Mancini,
RN, PhD, NE-BC; Randy Wax, MD, MEd; Sharon T. Wilson, PhD, RN,
FCN; Brenda D. Schoolfield; and the AHA BLS Project Team.
To find out about any updates or corrections to this text,
visit www.heart.org/courseupdates.
ii
,Contents
Part 1: General Course Concepts
BLS Course Objectives
Course Description
Completion Requirements
Your Approach to a Resuscitation Attempt
Personal Protective Equipment
The BLS Provider Manual
Part 2: The Chain of Survival
Learning Objectives
Overview
Chain of Survival Elements
Comparison of the In-Hospital and Out-of-Hospital Chains of Survival
Key Differences in Adult and Pediatric Chains of Survival
Review Questions
Part 3: BLS for Adults
Learning Objectives
Basic Framework for CPR
High-Performance Rescue Teams
Main Components of CPR
Adult BLS Algorithm for Healthcare Providers
High-Quality CPR Skills: Adults
Perform High-Quality Chest Compressions
Chest Compression Technique
Give Breaths
Barrier Devices for Giving Breaths
Pocket Masks
Bag-Mask Devices
Adult 2-Rescuer BLS
What Is a CPR Coach?
Review Questions
iii
, Part 4: Automated External Defibrillator for Adults and Children 8
Years of Age and Older
Learning Objectives
Defibrillation
Using the AED
Operating an AED: Universal Steps
Minimize Time Between Last Compression and Shock Delivery
Do Not Delay High-Quality CPR After AED Use
Child AED Pads
Special Circumstances
Review Questions
Part 5: Team Dynamics
Learning Objectives
Elements of Effective Team Dynamics
Roles and Responsibilities
Communication
Coaching and Debriefing
Review Questions
Part 6: BLS for Infants and Children
Learning Objectives
Pediatric BLS Algorithm for Healthcare Providers—Single Rescuer
High-Quality CPR Skills: Infants and Children
Assess for Breathing and a Pulse
Perform High-Quality Chest Compressions
Give Breaths
Pediatric BLS Algorithm for Healthcare Providers—2 or More Rescuers
Infant and Child 2-Rescuer BLS
Review Questions
Part 7: Automated External Defibrillator for Infants and Children
Younger Than 8 Years of Age
Learning Objectives
Know Your AED
iv
, Basic Life Support
Provider Manual
© 2020 American Heart Association
Printed in the United States of America
First American Heart Association Printing October 2020
Acknowledgments
The American Heart Association thanks the following people for their
contributions to the development of this manual: Jose G. Cabañas, MD,
MPH; Jeanette Previdi, MPH, RN; Matthew Douma, RN; Bryan Fischberg,
NRP; Sonni Logan, MSN, RN, CEN, CVN, CPEN; Mary Elizabeth Mancini,
RN, PhD, NE-BC; Randy Wax, MD, MEd; Sharon T. Wilson, PhD, RN,
FCN; Brenda D. Schoolfield; and the AHA BLS Project Team.
To find out about any updates or corrections to this text,
visit www.heart.org/courseupdates.
ii
,Contents
Part 1: General Course Concepts
BLS Course Objectives
Course Description
Completion Requirements
Your Approach to a Resuscitation Attempt
Personal Protective Equipment
The BLS Provider Manual
Part 2: The Chain of Survival
Learning Objectives
Overview
Chain of Survival Elements
Comparison of the In-Hospital and Out-of-Hospital Chains of Survival
Key Differences in Adult and Pediatric Chains of Survival
Review Questions
Part 3: BLS for Adults
Learning Objectives
Basic Framework for CPR
High-Performance Rescue Teams
Main Components of CPR
Adult BLS Algorithm for Healthcare Providers
High-Quality CPR Skills: Adults
Perform High-Quality Chest Compressions
Chest Compression Technique
Give Breaths
Barrier Devices for Giving Breaths
Pocket Masks
Bag-Mask Devices
Adult 2-Rescuer BLS
What Is a CPR Coach?
Review Questions
iii
, Part 4: Automated External Defibrillator for Adults and Children 8
Years of Age and Older
Learning Objectives
Defibrillation
Using the AED
Operating an AED: Universal Steps
Minimize Time Between Last Compression and Shock Delivery
Do Not Delay High-Quality CPR After AED Use
Child AED Pads
Special Circumstances
Review Questions
Part 5: Team Dynamics
Learning Objectives
Elements of Effective Team Dynamics
Roles and Responsibilities
Communication
Coaching and Debriefing
Review Questions
Part 6: BLS for Infants and Children
Learning Objectives
Pediatric BLS Algorithm for Healthcare Providers—Single Rescuer
High-Quality CPR Skills: Infants and Children
Assess for Breathing and a Pulse
Perform High-Quality Chest Compressions
Give Breaths
Pediatric BLS Algorithm for Healthcare Providers—2 or More Rescuers
Infant and Child 2-Rescuer BLS
Review Questions
Part 7: Automated External Defibrillator for Infants and Children
Younger Than 8 Years of Age
Learning Objectives
Know Your AED
iv
