Part 5: Adult basic life support

Abstract

The 2010 international evidence evaluation process addressed many questions related to the performance of basic life support. These have been grouped into the following categories: (1) epidemiology and recognition of cardiac arrest, (2) chest compressions, (3) airway and ventilation, (4) compression-ventilation sequence, (5) special circumstances, (6) emergency medical services (EMS) system, and (7) risks to the victim. Defibrillation is discussed separately in Part 6 because it is both a basic and an advanced life support skill. In the following summary, each question specific to the population, intervention, control group, and outcome (PICO Question) is listed with the consensus on science and treatment recommendation.