BSAC Dive Leader Training Basic Life Support BLS

BSAC Dive Leader Training Basic Life Support (BLS) DT 2. 1

Basic Life Support Lesson Outline BLS skills: ! Essential rescue skills ! Deteriorate quickly if not frequently exercised ! Advice/techniques evolve Basis on which to build oxygen-enriched RB: ! Will inevitably be needed while equipment is readied ! Will form basis of oxygenenriched basic life support 2

Basic Life Support Assessing the Need Indicators of the need for BLS: ! No response ! No chest movement ! No feel of air movement 3

Basic Life Support Priorities D r A B C Danger – to casualty and rescuer Response Airway Breathing Compressions 4

Basic Life Support Clear Airway Foreign objects Tongue Airway blocked by tongue 5 Head tilt/chin lift clears airway

Basic Life Support Priorities Danger – to casualty and rescuer Response ! A – Alert ! V – Responds to Voice ! P – Responds to Pain ! U – Unresponsive Airway – clear of obstructions Breathing – check for normal breathing (10 secs. ) Compressions – Cardiac Compressions 6

BLS: Decision Process Basic Life Support Unresponsive No Leave casualty and get help Yes Shout for help, open up airway No Breathing normally? Yes Recovery position 7 Leave casualty and get help, return and give 30 CCs Stop to recheck only if breathing resumes, else continue until: • Qualified help arrives • Normal breathing • You are exhausted

Basic Life Support (BLS) Monitor effectiveness: ! Sequence: 30 compressions : 2 breaths ! Rate of 100 compressions/minute ! 4– 5 cm compression ! Stop if normal breathing resumes/medical assistance arrives 8

Basic Life Support Rescue Breathing (RB) Monitor effectiveness: ! Sight ! Feel ! Sound ! Appearance Don’t over ventilate 9

Basic Life Support Summary In any real life emergency basic life support skills will be needed initially Unaided BLS techniques form the basis of oxygenenriched BLS Regular practice is needed as unexercised skills will quickly deteriorate Practical session will: ! Practice unaided BLS ! Introduce the use of the ‘Pocket Mask’ 10

Basic Life Support 11