BLS CPR 2016
5 links in the adult Chain of Survival -
1. Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest & activation of the emergency response system
(911 system).
2. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions
3. Rapid defibrillation
4. Effective advanced life support
5. Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
Although in adults cardiac arrest is often sudden and results from a cardiac cause, in children cardiac
arrest is often -
secondary to respiratory failure and shock
Identifying children with these problems is essential to reduce the likelihood of pediatric cardiac
arrest and maximize survival and recovery. Therefore, a prevention link is added in the pediatric
Chain of Survival: -
1. Prevention of arrest
2. Early high-quality bystander CPR
3. Rapid activation of the EMS (or other emergency response) system
4. Effective advanced life support (including rapid stabilization and transport to definitive care and
rehabilitation)
5. Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
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, Change in Sequence -
C-A-B, Not A-B-C
By changing the sequence to C-A-B, rescuers can start chest compressions sooner, and the delay in
giving breaths should be minimal (only the time required to deliver the first cycle of 30 chest
compressions, or approximately 8 seconds or less; for 2-rescuers infant or child CPR, the delay will be
even shorter).
For all victims of all ages (except newborns), begin CPR with compressions (C-A-B sequence). After
each set of chest compressions, open the airway and give 2 breaths.
The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC once again emphasize the need for high-quality CPR
including: -
A compression rate of at least 100/min (this is a change from "approximately" 100/min)
A compression depth of a least 2 inches (5cm) in adults and a compression depth of a least one third
of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest in infants and children. This is approximately 1 1⁄2
inches (4cm) in infants and 2 inches (5cm) in children. Note that the range of 1 1⁄2 to 2 inches is no
longer used for adults, and the absolute depth specified for children and infants is deeper than in
previous versions of the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.
Allowing complete chest recoil, minimizing interruptions in compressions, and avoiding excessive
ventilation continue to be important components of high-quality CPR. For all victims of all ages
(except newborns), begin CPR with compressions (C-A-B sequence). After each set of chest
compressions, open the airway and give 2 breaths.
There is increased focus on providing CPR as a team because resuscitations in most EMS and
healthcare systems involve teams of rescuers, with rescuers performing several actions
simultaneously. For example, one rescuer activates the emergency response system while a second
begins chest compressions, a third is either providing ventilations or retrieving the bag-mask for
rescue breathing, and a fourth is retrieving a defibrillator and preparing to use.
A compression rate of ___ -
at least 100/min
A compression depth of ___ in adults and ___ in infants and children -
at least 2 inches
at least 13 the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest (1.5 inches in infants, 2 in children)
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5 links in the adult Chain of Survival -
1. Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest & activation of the emergency response system
(911 system).
2. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions
3. Rapid defibrillation
4. Effective advanced life support
5. Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
Although in adults cardiac arrest is often sudden and results from a cardiac cause, in children cardiac
arrest is often -
secondary to respiratory failure and shock
Identifying children with these problems is essential to reduce the likelihood of pediatric cardiac
arrest and maximize survival and recovery. Therefore, a prevention link is added in the pediatric
Chain of Survival: -
1. Prevention of arrest
2. Early high-quality bystander CPR
3. Rapid activation of the EMS (or other emergency response) system
4. Effective advanced life support (including rapid stabilization and transport to definitive care and
rehabilitation)
5. Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
1|Page
, Change in Sequence -
C-A-B, Not A-B-C
By changing the sequence to C-A-B, rescuers can start chest compressions sooner, and the delay in
giving breaths should be minimal (only the time required to deliver the first cycle of 30 chest
compressions, or approximately 8 seconds or less; for 2-rescuers infant or child CPR, the delay will be
even shorter).
For all victims of all ages (except newborns), begin CPR with compressions (C-A-B sequence). After
each set of chest compressions, open the airway and give 2 breaths.
The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC once again emphasize the need for high-quality CPR
including: -
A compression rate of at least 100/min (this is a change from "approximately" 100/min)
A compression depth of a least 2 inches (5cm) in adults and a compression depth of a least one third
of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest in infants and children. This is approximately 1 1⁄2
inches (4cm) in infants and 2 inches (5cm) in children. Note that the range of 1 1⁄2 to 2 inches is no
longer used for adults, and the absolute depth specified for children and infants is deeper than in
previous versions of the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.
Allowing complete chest recoil, minimizing interruptions in compressions, and avoiding excessive
ventilation continue to be important components of high-quality CPR. For all victims of all ages
(except newborns), begin CPR with compressions (C-A-B sequence). After each set of chest
compressions, open the airway and give 2 breaths.
There is increased focus on providing CPR as a team because resuscitations in most EMS and
healthcare systems involve teams of rescuers, with rescuers performing several actions
simultaneously. For example, one rescuer activates the emergency response system while a second
begins chest compressions, a third is either providing ventilations or retrieving the bag-mask for
rescue breathing, and a fourth is retrieving a defibrillator and preparing to use.
A compression rate of ___ -
at least 100/min
A compression depth of ___ in adults and ___ in infants and children -
at least 2 inches
at least 13 the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest (1.5 inches in infants, 2 in children)
2|Page
