The Ultimate BLS Cheatsheet | eMedCert Blog (2024)

This cheat sheet covers the most important concepts that you need to know in order to complete your Basic Life Support (BLS) exam.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required for most doctors, nurses, and many other professions both inside and outside of the healthcare industry. Studying for your BLS exam can be a stressful experience. On top of having basic knowledge of the material, there are also several different algorithms, medications, and terminologies that you must have memorized.

Thankfully for any of you who have a BLS certification or recertification coming up, this BLS Cheatsheet will be your best friend come time to pass your exam.

Here is a brief summary of what it will cover:

General Concepts

Main Components of CPR (C – A – B)

• Compressions
• Airway
• Breathing

High-Quality CPR:

• Start compressions within 10 seconds of recognition of cardiac arrest
• Chest compression rate of 100 – 120 per minute
• Compression depth of 2 – 2.4 in. (5-6 cm.) for adults and children
• Compression depth of 1.5 in. (4 cm.) for infants
• Minimize interruptions in compressions
• Do not over-ventilate the victim
• Breathing rate is every 5 – 6 seconds (10 – 12 breaths per minute)
• Allow complete chest recoil after each compression
• Do not lean on the chest wall between compressions

Adult Chain of Survival – IHCA (In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest)

Adult Chain of Survival – OHCA (Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest)

Pediatric Chain of Survival

BLS For Adults

One-Rescuer BLS Steps for Adults

Two-Rescuer BLS Steps for Adults

Steps for Performing CPR for Adults

BLS / CPR For Children

One-Rescuer BLS Steps for Children

Two-Rescuer BLS Steps for Children

Steps for Performing CPR for Children

BLS / CPR For Infants

One-Rescuer BLS Steps for Infants

Two-Rescuer BLS Steps for Infants

Steps for Performing CPR for Infants

BLS Algorithms

Adult BLS Algorithm

Pediatric BLS Single-Rescuer Algorithm

Pediatric BLS Multiple-Rescuer Algorithm

AED Usage

Steps for Using an AED

1. Open AED case and turn the device ON
2. Expose the victim’s chest
3. Attach AED pads to the victim’s chest
4. Do not touch the victim when AED is ANALYZING
5. Before delivering SHOCK, make sure the victim’s chest is clear, no one is touching the victim, and the area around the victim is clear.
6. Press the SHOCK button
7. Resume CPR for 2 minutes
8. Repeat cycle of: CPR – analyzing – shock if indicated – CPR

AED Usage Points of Emphasis

• Do not place the pads over a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
• Remove the victim from the water and dry the chest before applying pads
• Excessive hair will impede pad contact. Quickly remove the padding and replace with a new set to ensure adequate contact with the chest wall
• Remove any medication patches from the chest
• Make sure the pads do not touch each other
• If the device malfunctions, do not troubleshoot. Return immediately to high-quality CPR

CPR With An Advanced Airway

Airway Equipment Options

• Supraglottic Devices
• Laryngeal Mask Airway
• Combitube
• Endotracheal Tube

Mouth-To-Mouth Breathing

Steps For Adult and Child Mouth-to-Mouth

Steps For Infant Mouth-to-Mouth

Choking Relief

Heimlich Maneuver Steps

1. Stand behind the victim
2. Wrap arms behind the victim and place fist of one hand below the victim’s rib cage just above the belly button
3. Grasp fist with the other hand
4. Quickly pull inward and upward
5. Continue until choking is relieved or the victim becomes unconscious

Abdominal Thrust Steps

1. Straddle knees on either side of the victim’s hips
2. Place heel of one hand above the navel, but below the breast bone
3. Quickly press inward and upward
4. Continue until the obstruction is relieved or the victim becomes unconscious

Back Blows and Chest Thrust Steps (for Infant Victims)

1. Rest infant facedown on your forearm
2. Support their head and face with your hand
3. Deliver 5 back blows between the shoulder blades
4. Turn the victim over and support the back of their head
5. Use 2 fingers and deliver 5 chest thrusts over the sternum
6. Repeat back blows, alternated with chest thrusts, until choking is relieved or the infant becomes unresponsive

Common Abbreviations To Know

• AED | Automated external defibrillator
• AHA | American Heart Association
• BLS | Basic life support
• BP | Blood pressure
• CAB | Circulation, airway, breathing
• CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• EMS | Emergency medical services
• ET | Endotracheal
• ICU | Intensive care unit
• IHCA | In-hospital cardiac arrest
• IN | Intranasal
• IM | Intramuscular
• IO | Intraosseous
• IV | Intravenous
• LMA | Laryngeal Mask Airway
• LV | Left ventricle
• OHCA | Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
• PAD | Public Access Defibrillation
• PEA | Pulseless electrical activity
• PVT | Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
• ROSC | Return of spontaneous circulation
• RV | Right ventricle
• VF /V-Fib | Ventricular fibrillation
• VT | Ventricular tachycardia

Additional BLS Study Material:

• Basic Life Support (BLS): Frequently Asked Questions
• How To Choose an Online BLS Certification Course
• BLS Practice Exam Questions and Answers
• BLS Pretest

Electronic Medical Certification (eMedCert) provides healthcare professionals with convenient, credible, affordable, and user-friendly online certification courses. eMedCert provides a fully-online alternative to traditional ACLS, PALS, and BLS certifications and recertifications to help you advance your career without inconveniencing your work or lifestyle.

We want to make sure you have the best experience possible with our courses. If you need assistance or have any further questions about online healthcare certifications, connect with our team by sending us a message.

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