Life-saving aid given when a person’s heart stops beating; done by clearing the throat, administering chest thumps, and inflating the chest by breathing into the person’s mouth according to a prescribed pattern.
The phase of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiac care that either ( 1 ) prevents circulatory or respiratory arrest or insufficiency by prompt recognition and early intervention or by early entry into the emergency care system or both; or (2) externally supports the circulation and respiration of a patient in cardiac arrest through CPR. When cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs, BLS should be initiated by anyone present who is familiar with CPR.