BLS Algorithms 2021 (Basic Life Support) - United Medical Education

CABD (Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Defibrillate)

There is a common acronym in BLS used to guide providers in the appropriate steps to assess and treat patients in respiratory and cardiac distress. This is CAB-D (Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Defibrillate). The following scenario will help guide you in performing CAB-D.

You find an adult lying on the ground.

Assess to make sure the scene is safe for you to respond to the down patient.

Assess Responsiveness: Stimulate and speak to the adult asking if they are ok. Look at the chest and torso for movement and normal breathing.

If unresponsive:

• (One provider) first call the emergency response team and bring an AED to the patient.
• (Two providers) Have someone near call the emergency response team and bring the AED.

Place patient supine on a hard flat surface.

Circulation

• Check the patient for a carotid pulse for 5-10 seconds. (Do not check for more than 10 seconds.)

If the patient has a pulse:

Move to the airway and rescue breathing portion of the algorithm:

• Provide 10 rescue breaths per minute (1 breath every 6 seconds).
• Recheck pulse every 2 minutes.

If the patient doesn’t have a pulse:

Begin 5 cycles of CPR (lasts approximately 2 minutes).

Start with chest compressions:

• Provide 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This is 30 compressions every 15 to 18 seconds.
• Place your palms midline, one over the other, on the lower 1/3 of the patient’s sternum between the nipples.
• lock your arms.
• Using two arms press to a depth of 2 to 2.4 inches (5-6cm) or more on the patient’s chest.
• Press hard and fast.
• Allow for full chest recoil with each compression.

1 cycle of adult CPR is 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths.

If two providers are present: switch rolls between compressor and rescue breather every 5 cycles.