BLS C-A-B algorithm: Basic life support protocol
Last updated: March 15, 2022
Version control: Our ACLS, PALS & BLS courses follow 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC. American Heart Association guidelines are updated every five years. If you are reading this page after December 2025, please contact support@ACLS.net for an update. Version 2021.01.c
Compressions:
- Compression rate of 100-120 per minute, pushing hard and fast in chest center.
- Depth of 2" - 2.4” for adults (5-6cm).
- Children and infants: 1/3 depth of the chest (2” and 1.5”).
- Allow complete chest recoil between compression.
Airway:
- Head tilt/chin lift: tilt victim's head back and lift the victim's chin to open the airway.
- Infant airway can be opened by placing the head in the “sniffing position.”
Breathing:
- Give rescue breathing, mouth to mouth, in the apneic patient with a pulse.
- For effective breathing, watch for chest rise and avoid excessive ventilation. The ratio of chest compressions to breaths is 30 to 2, for a pulseless patient.
- 10 BREATHS should be delivered each minute, or one breath every six seconds.
- Each breath should be delivered over 1 second. Observe visible chest rise.
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How we reviewed this article
Our experts continually monitor the medical science space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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Current versionMail the authorEmail
- Mar 15, 2022
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Copy edited by:
Copy editors - Mar 14, 2022
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Written by:
Jessica Munoz DPN, RN, CENproviding nurse training at Yale New Haven Health-Bridgeport Hospital since 2022. Previously in healthcare and education at Griffin Hospital, St. Vincent's College of Nursing and Sacred Heart University Medical Center.