Saving a Life with ACLS is Easy as ABC…D

Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), a more advanced form of basic life support (BLS), begins with management of the patient’s airway and determination of the best course of action to successfully resuscitate a patient.

Cardiopulmonary arrest, also known as cardiac arrest, occurs when the normal circulation of blood is halted because the heart fails to contract effectively. When someone experiences cardiac arrest, an ACLS certified healthcare professional can be a life-saving asset to the emergency situation.

After completing an ACLS provider course, such as the one provided by Health Ed Solutions, you’ll be able to use your ABC…D’s to assess a patient while performing life-saving measures. The ABCD assessment is part of the “primary survey,” which any first responder should execute upon arrival and several more times throughout the resuscitation.

Steps to follow for a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest:

A is for airway

Open the airway using the head tilt-chin lift. Use the “primary survey” skills of look, listen, and feel to specifically assess the airway. Look for the chest to rise and fall, listen for airflow from the patient’s breathing and feel for the victim’s breath against your cheek.

B is for breathing

If respirations are poor or absent, give two breaths using a face mask or barrier device if available. Note the chest rising with each breath. Give one breath every five to six seconds (or 10 to 12 breaths/minute).

C is for circulation

Feel for the carotid pulse for five to 10 seconds to determine the presence of circulation. If you feel a pulse, chest compressions are not necessary. If you still don’t feel a pulse after 10 seconds, begin chest compressions immediately.

D is for defibrillation

An unresponsive individual (one without a pulse) is most likely in immediate need of defibrillation. Attach an AED (automatic external defibrillator) and follow the AED directions to administer a shock if needed.

If a patient is found to be in cardiopulmonary arrest, your emphasis should be to quickly initiate CPR and defibrillate the patient as early as possible.

ACLS – and specifically the ABCD assessment – are skill sets that many medical professionals and first responders are often required to maintain. Health Ed Solutions is the most prominent provider of the online certification and recertification online ACLS course. This course, designed for healthcare professionals, will not only prepare participants to manage an emergency scene and respiratory arrest treatment, but will also teach the appropriate steps that first responders should take upon arrival.

The information included in this article is based on the 2020 guidelines for CPR, first aid and advanced cardiovascular care. Read more about how the 2020 guidelines impact ACLS training online.