Basic life support in United States

                                  Technique

                                                              United States

High-Quality CPR

High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation using an automated external defibrillator (AED) are the most important aspects of BLS to ensure a victim survives. CPR involves a rescuer or bystander providing chest compressions to a victim in a supine position while also giving rescue breaths. The rescuer or bystander can also choose not to provide breaths and provide compression-only CPR. Depending on the age and circumstances of the victim, there can be variations in the compression to breath ratio give

BLS for Healthcare Providers Course

According to the American Heart Association, in order to be certified in BLS, a student must take an online or in-person course. However, an online BLS course must be followed by an in-person skills session in order to obtain a certification issued by The American Heart Association

Chain of survival

The American Heart Association highlights the most important steps of BLS in a "five-link chain of survival. The chain of survival includes early recognition of an ongoing emergency, early initiation of CPR by a bystander, early use of a defibrillator, and early advanced life support once more qualified medical help arrives. Qualified bystanders with training in BLS are encouraged to perform the first three steps of the five-link chain of survival.