Page 278 - PJ MED OPS Handbook 8th Ed

Appendix 2. Emergency Cardiovascular Care

The following algorithms are compiled from the AHA 2020 Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines.
For more information visit: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines.

Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm for Healthcare Providers
Adult BLS/CPR

Verify scene safety.

• Check for responsiveness.
• Shout for nearby help.
• Activate emergency response
system via mobile device
(if appropriate).
• Get AED and emergency equipment
(or send someone to do so).
Normal No normal • Provide rescue breathing,
1 breath every 6 seconds or
breathing, Look for no breathing breathing,
Monitor until pulse felt or only gasping and check pulse felt 10 breaths/min.
• Check pulse every 2 minutes;
emergency pulse (simultaneously).
if no pulse, start CPR.
responders arrive. Is pulse definitely felt
• If possible opioid overdose,
within 10 seconds?
administer naloxone if
available per protocol.
No breathing
or only gasping,
pulse not felt
By this time in all scenarios, emergency
response system or backup is activated,
and AED and emergency equipment are
retrieved or someone is retrieving them.
Start CPR
• Perform cycles of 30 compressions
and 2 breaths.
• Use AED as soon as it is available.
AED arrives.
Check rhythm.
Shockable rhythm?
Yes, No,
shockable nonshockable
• Give 1 shock. Resume CPR • Resume CPR immediately for
immediately for 2 minutes 2 minutes (until prompted by AED
(until prompted by AED to allow to allow rhythm check).
rhythm check). • Continue until ALS providers take
• Continue until ALS providers take over or victim starts to move.
over or victim starts to move.
© 2020 American Heart Association

276 n Pararescue Medical Operations Handbook / 8th Edition