British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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In the first of this two-part series, the reasons why nurses were not prepared to take action when faced with an emergency were examined. This article takes a step-by-step look at cardiopulmonary resuscitation as specified by the European Resuscitation Council.
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Basic life support (BLS) is potentially life-saving and unnecessary delays in starting BLS must be avoided. Sudden cardiac death occurs within 1 hour of symptoms in 40% of patients, and in 60% of young/middle-aged patients. ⋯ Although technical expertise and equipment are necessary in specific situations, BLS 'buys time' while waiting for the equipment to arrive. Seventy per cent of cardiac arrests occur in the home and as BLS skills are often the only skills immediately available, their acquisition is essential.