What is BLS?

Basic life support is the level of medical care given to patients with life-threatening conditions until they can be given full medical attention in a hospital. Therefore, it is generally used in the pre-hospital setting, and can be provided without medical equipment or drugs.

Basic life support involves various life-saving techniques that focus on CAB of pre-hospital emergency care:

• Circulation – techniques which are done to maintain an adequate blood supply to vital organs, to ensure oxygen delivery to all cells and remove metabolic waste
• Airway – management of the victim’s airway to protect and maintain a clear passageway for gases between the lungs and the atmosphere.
• Breathing – maintenance of rhythmic inflation and deflation of the lungs  to ensure adequate respiration

BLS training provides healthcare providers enough confidence and skills necessary to give lifesaving aid to a person who needs emergency care due to injury or illness.

Examples of life-threatening circumstances include heart attacks, stroke, choking, drowning, bleeding and more. Healthcare providers who complete BLS training receive a certification that is valid for two years. Renewal of certification may be required thereafter.