When someone collapses or stops breathing, every second counts. Being able to perform basic life support can make the difference between life and death. You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse to help in a medical emergency. Ordinary people save lives every day by knowing what to do and acting quickly.
Basic life support (BLS) refers to the steps you take to help someone who is unconscious, not breathing properly, or in cardiac arrest. It includes actions like calling for help, checking responsiveness, doing chest compressions, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
In this blog, we’ll walk through simple, practical tips that anyone can learn. These steps can be used at home, at work, or out in public. If it’s a colleague, a friend, or a stranger, you’ll have the confidence to help when it matters most.
What is Basic Life Support?
Basic life support is the immediate care given to someone experiencing a medical emergency. It focuses on maintaining breathing and circulation without using medical equipment. The goal is to keep oxygen flowing to the brain and vital organs until professional help arrives.
In most cases, BLS is used when someone:
- Stops breathing
- Has no pulse
- Collapses suddenly
- Is unresponsive and not moving
The standard BLS steps include:
- Checking the person’s response
- Calling for emergency services
- Performing chest compressions
- Giving rescue breaths (if trained)
- Using a defibrillator (if available)
Learning how to perform BLS can help you act fast and avoid panic during a crisis.
Step 1: Check for Safety
Before you rush in, take a quick look around. Make sure the area is safe for you and the person who needs help. You won’t be much use if you also get hurt.
For example, if someone collapses near traffic or in water, try to move them to a safer location. If you can’t move them, call for help and let the emergency team know the situation.
Step 2: Check for a Response
Approach the person and gently shake their shoulders. Speak loudly and clearly. Try saying something like, “Are you alright?” or “Can you hear me?”
If they don’t respond, they may be unconscious. This is your cue to take action.
Ask someone nearby to call emergency services (999 or 112 in Ireland and the UK). If you’re alone, make the call yourself before you start chest compressions.
Step 3: Open the Airway
Carefully tilt the person’s head back by lifting the chin and pushing the forehead back. This helps open the airway. If you suspect a spinal injury, avoid moving their neck, but do your best to gently clear the airway.
Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing. Watch their chest to see if it’s rising and falling. Place your ear close to their mouth to check for breath sounds or air movement.
Spend no more than 10 seconds checking. If they are not breathing or only gasping, start CPR right away.
Step 4: Start Chest Compressions
Chest compressions are the most important part of BLS. They help keep blood flowing to the brain and heart.
Here’s how to do them correctly:
- Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest, right between the nipples.
- Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
- Keep your arms straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands.
- Push down hard and fast, at a depth of about 5 to 6 centimetres.
- Aim for a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. That’s about two compressions every second.
Let the chest fully rise after each push. Do not stop unless you are too exhausted to continue, the person starts breathing again, or emergency services take over.
Step 5: Give Rescue Breaths (If Trained)
If you’ve been trained in CPR, combine chest compressions with rescue breaths. This helps to get oxygen into the lungs while compressions keep the blood moving.
After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths:
- Tilt the head back and lift the chin.
- Pinch the person’s nose shut.
- Place your mouth over theirs to form a seal.
- Breathe in steadily for about one second and watch the chest rise.
- Give a second breath the same way.
If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head and try again. Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until help arrives or the person starts breathing.
If you’re not trained or not confident with rescue breaths, stick with chest compressions only. Hands-only CPR is still better than doing nothing.
Step 6: Use an AED (If Available)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can deliver a shock to help restart the heart. You’ll often find them in schools, offices, gyms, train stations, and public areas.
AEDs are designed to be used by anyone, even without training. Once you switch it on, it will talk you through each step with voice prompts.
Here’s how to use one:
- Turn on the AED and follow the spoken instructions.
- Expose the person’s chest and wipe it dry.
- Attach the adhesive pads to the chest as shown on the diagrams.
- Make sure no one is touching the person.
- Let the AED analyse the heart rhythm.
- If a shock is advised, the AED will tell you to press a button to deliver it.
- After the shock (if given), continue CPR with compressions and breaths.
Do not remove the AED. Keep it attached and follow its instructions until emergency services arrive and take over.
How to Help Someone Who is Choking
Choking is another common emergency that needs fast action. If someone is coughing forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing. But if they can’t cough, speak, or breathe, it’s time to act.
- Ask: “Are you choking?”
- Stand behind the person.
- Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
- If that doesn’t work, give 5 abdominal thrusts:
- Stand behind them.
- Wrap your arms around their waist.
- Make a fist and place it just above the belly button.
- Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull inward and upward sharply.
Alternate between back blows and abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unresponsive.
If the person becomes unconscious, start CPR and call emergency services straight away.
Basic Life Support for Children
When giving BLS to children, the principles are similar, but some details change.
- Use one hand for compressions instead of two.
- Press down to a depth of about one third of the chest.
- Give 30 compressions and 2 breaths, just like for adults.
- If you’re alone, give CPR for one minute before calling emergency services.
For infants under one year:
- Use two fingers for compressions.
- Cover their nose and mouth with your mouth for rescue breaths.
- Be gentler, but keep the same rhythm of 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
When to Stop Basic Life Support
You should continue BLS until:
- Emergency medical help takes over.
- The person starts breathing or moving on their own.
- You are physically unable to continue.
It’s natural to feel unsure at first, but doing something is always better than doing nothing. The worst thing is to wait and hope someone else steps in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In an emergency, people can panic and make errors. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Not calling for help early enough
One of the biggest errors is delaying the call to emergency services. Even if you’re unsure how serious the situation is, it’s always safer to make the call immediately.
Stopping CPR too soon
CPR is physically demanding, but it’s vital to keep going until help arrives or the person shows signs of recovery. Short breaks reduce blood flow to the brain, so only pause when absolutely necessary.
Giving weak or shallow compressions
For chest compressions to be effective, you must push hard and deep enough. Light compressions won’t move enough blood through the body.
Being afraid to use a defibrillator
AEDs are designed to be safe and easy. They won’t shock someone unless it’s needed, and they talk you through every step. Don’t let fear stop you from using one.
Focusing too much on breathing
If you’re not confident with rescue breaths, just do chest compressions. Hands-only CPR is better than trying and getting overwhelmed.
Why Everyone Should Learn Basic Life Support
You don’t need to work in healthcare to make a difference. Emergencies can happen anywhere. Someone might collapse in the office, at a football match, or while shopping. If nobody steps in, precious minutes are lost.
Learning basic life support gives you the power to act. It takes away the fear of doing the wrong thing and replaces it with calm, clear action. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
Here are some of the benefits of learning BLS:
- You’ll be ready to act fast in an emergency
- You’ll feel more confident in busy public spaces
- You could save the life of someone you know
- It looks great on your CV and job applications
- It builds leadership and responsibility
In many industries, BLS training is also required for health and safety. But even outside of work, it’s one of the most useful skills you can have.
Where to Get Training
While reading guides is helpful, nothing beats hands-on training. Many local organisations and first aid providers offer certified courses in basic life support. These courses often take a few hours and include practical sessions with CPR mannequins and AED demos.
In Ireland and the UK, you can find training through:
- Local first aid providers
- Community centres
- Colleges and schools
- Workplaces and health and safety departments
- Charities like the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance
Look for a course that includes CPR, AED use, and choking response. It’s also useful to refresh your skills every couple of years. Protocols can change, and regular training helps keep your confidence high.
What to Do After an Emergency
If you’ve had to give basic life support, it’s normal to feel a rush of emotions afterwards. You might feel anxious, shaken, or unsure if you did things right. That’s completely natural.
It helps to talk to someone, especially if the situation was intense or didn’t end well. Some people find it useful to debrief with others who were present. If the event was serious, consider reaching out for professional support or counselling.
Remember, doing something is always better than doing nothing. Even if you didn’t get every step perfect, you gave someone a fighting chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between CPR and basic life support?
CPR is part of basic life support. It focuses on chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen flowing during cardiac arrest. Basic life support includes CPR but also covers using a defibrillator, checking response, opening the airway, and managing other emergencies like choking.
2. Can I perform basic life support without formal training?
Yes. Even without training, you can help by calling emergency services and starting chest compressions. If an AED is nearby, follow its instructions. While proper training gives more confidence, doing something is always better than doing nothing.
3. Is rescue breathing still recommended in CPR?
Rescue breathing is recommended if you’re trained and feel confident doing it. For untrained bystanders, hands-only CPR with continuous chest compressions is advised until emergency help arrives.
4. What should I do if I’m alone and someone needs CPR?
If you’re alone, call 999 or 112 first, then start chest compressions. If possible, put your phone on speaker so you can talk to emergency services while you give CPR.
5. How often should I renew my basic life support training?
It’s recommended to refresh your skills every two years. This helps you stay up to date with changes in best practice and keeps your confidence high during real-life emergencies.
Final Thoughts
Basic life support is not just for emergency workers or first responders. It’s something we can all learn. It’s a life skill like swimming or driving; you hope you never need it, but if the time comes, it can change everything.
Learning BLS means you’ll never have to stand by helplessly in a crisis. You’ll know how to react, how to take charge, and how to keep someone alive until medical help arrives.
You might never forget the moment someone collapsed in front of you. But what you will remember even more is the moment you stepped forward and helped.
If you haven’t taken a BLS course yet, consider signing up soon. The few hours you spend learning it could one day save a life.