Basic Life Support (BLS) is a set of fundamental techniques and procedures used to assist people experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or an obstructed airway. BLS skills are essential for anyone, not just healthcare professionals, and can mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations.
The "Chain of Survival" refers to the critical actions that improve survival from cardiac arrest:
Learning BLS empowers you to act quickly and confidently in emergencies, whether at home, school, or in the community.
A classmate collapses during gym; you check for breathing and call for help.
You find someone choking at a restaurant and know the steps to clear their airway.
BLS is the essential set of skills to help save lives in emergencies.