Basic life support (BLS) is a set of life-saving techniques designed to provide immediate care to someone injured or experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency.
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- BLS consists of a few basic steps, which include assessing the patient, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), delivering simple first aid, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
- BLS is meant to provide necessary care until professional medical help arrives and should never be used as a substitute for immediate, professional care.
- Basic Life Support is an invaluable skill that can save the life of someone in distress and make a huge difference when providing medical care in areas where advanced care is unavailable.
The guidelines of Basic Life Support are regularly updated to reflect the most current evidence available. To ensure their knowledge remains up-to-date, all those certified in BLS must renew their certification every two years. Healthcare professionals are typically familiar with the BLS guidelines; however, they must obtain certification to refresh their skills in accordance with the ever-evolving, evidence-based protocols of the American Heart Association.
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