UNDERSTAND BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

THE BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLS AND ACLS.

BLS (Basic Life Support) BLS can stand for Basic Life Support, which is a set of life-saving emergency medical procedures like CPR and AED use, or it can refer to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. The correct meaning depends on the context, though Basic Life Support is a more common use, especially in healthcare and emergency services.

Level: Foundational

Who uses it: All healthcare workers, first responders, and even trained laypersons.

Key components of BLS

Scene safety: Ensure the area is safe for both you and the victim before approaching. 

Victim assessment: Check for responsiveness and breathing. 

Call for help: Immediately activate the emergency response system by calling for emergency medical services (EMS). 

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation):

Chest compressions: Perform high-quality chest compressions, ideally at a rate of 100-120 per minute. 

Rescue breaths: Open the airway and provide rescue breaths after compressions. 

Defibrillation: Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as one is available. The device will provide instructions for use. 

Airway management: Keep the airway open by clearing any obstructions. 

Recovery position: If the person starts breathing normally, place them in the recovery position to help maintain an open airway. 

Focus

1. Recognising cardiac arrest

2. High-quality CPR

3. Use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

4. Basic airway management (e.g., head-tilt chin-lift, bag-mask ventilation)

5. Relief of choking

Skills are mostly

A. Non-invasive

B. Protocol-driven

C. Based on simple algorithms

And 

ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) ACLS, or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, is a set of medical interventions and guidelines for treating life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies like cardiac arrest, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome. It builds upon Basic Life Support (BLS) by incorporating advanced techniques such as defibrillation, medication administration, advanced airway management (like intubation), and continuous monitoring. The ultimate goal is to improve patient survival rates before they can receive definitive hospital care. 

Level: Advanced

Who uses it: Doctors, nurses, paramedics, and advanced providers.

Key components of ACLS

CPR: High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the foundation, with ACLS providers emphasizing immediate and effective chest compression and ventilation.

Defibrillation: This uses an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest.

Medications: ACLS includes the administration of various medications, such as epinephrine, to support the patient's cardiovascular function.

Airway Management: This involves advanced techniques to secure an open airway, including the use of a bag-valve mask or intubation to assist breathing.

Systematic Approach: ACLS training emphasizes a systematic, protocol-based approach to assess the patient's condition and make rapid decisions.

Post-Arrest Care: It also includes the critical steps for care after a patient's heart rhythm has been restored, known as post-cardiac arrest care.

Focus

1. Managing cardiac arrest, stroke, and arrhythmias in a more advanced way

2. Interpretation of ECG rhythms

3. Use of emergency drugs (e.g., epinephrine, amiodarone)

4. Advanced airway management (e.g., intubation, supraglottic devices)

5. Team leadership in resuscitation

6. Post–cardiac arrest care

Skills

A. Invasive and medication-based interventions

B. Requires advanced clinical judgement.