Abdominal thrusts refer to a first aid method for severe choking involving inward and upward thrusts on the abdomen to expel an object blocking the airway.

Adrenaline is a key medication used in anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest, administered intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV) to improve breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

In resuscitation terms, an adult refers to puberty (12 years old) onwards, encompassing all older age groups. Adult protocols suit fully developed anatomy and physiology.

Advanced life support (ALS) is a level of emergency medical care that involves advanced interventions for life-threatening conditions, such as cardiac arrest. It includes high-level skills like advanced airway management, administering medications, interpreting ECGs, and performing defibrillation. ALS is typically provided by healthcare professionals trained to stabilise critically ill patients until further help arrives.

Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is a set of medical interventions for managing severe cardiovascular emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, stroke, and arrhythmias. It involves advanced airway management, drug administration, and defibrillation, guided by protocols to improve patient survival and outcomes.

AED pad placement refers to the correct positioning of AED pads on the chest, which is essential for effective defibrillation. For adults, one pad is placed on the upper right side of the chest and the other on the lower left side.

Agonal breathing is an abnormal, gasping respiration often seen in people near death or experiencing cardiac arrest. It is irregular and ineffective, not providing sufficient oxygen to sustain life, and typically signals a critical emergency requiring immediate intervention, such as CPR.

Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) are the essential steps in basic life support to assess and manage airway patency, breathing effectiveness, and circulation adequacy.

Airway management includes techniques and tools to keep the airway open in a patient who is unconscious or unresponsive. Common techniques include the head-tilt and chin-lift manoeuvre and the use of airway adjuncts to ensure the airway remains unobstructed.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to respiratory and cardiac arrest. Anaphylaxis is treated with adrenaline and CPR if necessary.

Apnoea is the temporary absence of breathing, which in newborns often requires immediate intervention to establish adequate ventilation.

Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, where the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or erratically. It occurs when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats malfunction, leading to an abnormal rhythm. Arrhythmias can range from harmless to life-threatening and may require medical intervention to prevent complications.

Asystole is a form of cardiac arrest where there is no electrical activity in the heart, often called “flatline.” Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm, meaning CPR is required until advanced support is available.

Back blows refer to a technique for treating choking in which a firm slap between the shoulder blades is delivered to dislodge an obstruction in the airway.

Basic life support (BLS) refers to a level of medical care provided to individuals experiencing life-threatening emergencies. BLS encompasses techniques like chest compressions, maintaining an open airway, and providing rescue breaths, all of which aim to support circulation and breathing until advanced medical personnel arrive.

A BVM is a hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients in respiratory arrest. It’s a critical tool in BLS for healthcare providers and delivers higher concentrations of oxygen compared to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Barrier devices like face shields and pocket masks are used during rescue breathing to prevent the spread of infections. They are crucial for maintaining safety during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Brain ischemia is a condition where blood flow to the brain is reduced, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause brain cells to become damaged or die, potentially leading to stroke, brain damage, or other neurological issues if not promptly treated.

Bystander CPR refers to cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by a witness before emergency services arrive. It is often critical in increasing survival rates.

Bystander intervention is immediate assistance provided by a witness during a medical emergency, such as performing CPR or using an AED. Quick action by bystanders can significantly improve the victim’s chance of survival before professional medical help arrives.

Bradycardia is a slow heart rate that may lead to poor perfusion and can precede cardiac arrest if untreated.

A cardiac arrest is a sudden stop in effective blood circulation due to the heart's failure to contract effectively. Signs include unresponsiveness and abnormal or absent breathing, which requires immediate CPR.

CPR is a life-saving procedure for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. It combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation and oxygenation, helping prevent brain damage and death until more advanced treatment is available.

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition where the heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, usually due to severe heart damage, such as from a heart attack. This results in low blood pressure, and reduced organ perfusion, and requires immediate medical intervention to prevent organ failure and death.

Cerebral perfusion is blood flow to the brain, delivering essential oxygen and nutrients. Proper cerebral perfusion is vital for brain function, as inadequate blood flow can lead to brain damage or loss of consciousness. It’s closely monitored in critical care to prevent neurological impairment.

Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is the pressure required to maintain blood flow to the brain, which is crucial for brain recovery after a cardiac arrest.

Check, Call, Care is a three-step approach in emergencies: "Check" for safety and signs of life, "Call" emergency services, and "Care" by providing BLS interventions.

Chest compressions refer to manual compressions of the chest to maintain blood circulation during cardiac arrest. In adults, compressions are typically at a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

Chest recoil is the action of the chest returning to its normal position after a compression. Full recoil allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions, increasing the effectiveness of CPR.

Chest rise indicates effective ventilation during rescue breaths. If the air is reaching the lungs, the chest should visibly rise with each breath.

In resuscitation terms, a child refers to the age of 1 year until puberty (12 years old). This age requires techniques adapted for developing bodies.

Choking refers to airway obstruction that may require techniques such as back blows, abdominal thrusts, or chest compressions if the patient becomes unresponsive.

A circulatory arrest occurs when blood circulation stops, usually due to cardiac arrest. CPR is initiated to restore circulation until the heart can resume its function.

Compression depth refers to the depth to which the chest should be compressed during CPR. The recommended depth for adults is at least 5 cm (2 inches), which helps ensure effective circulation.

Compression-only CPR is a form of CPR where only chest compressions are provided without rescue breaths. This method is often recommended for untrained bystanders or when a rescuer is unwilling to provide mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

Compression rate refers to the speed of chest compressions in CPR, which is typically between 100 and 120 compressions per minute. This rate, combined with adequate compression depth, optimises blood flow during CPR.

Compression-depth standards are guidelines for chest compression depth (5–6 cm for adults) to optimise blood flow during CPR.

The compression-to-ventilation ratio is the ratio of chest compressions to ventilations during CPR, typically 30:2 for adults when one rescuer is present.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a congenital disability where the diaphragm does not fully develop, often requiring specialised airway management in resuscitation.

Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) is A globally-reviewed collection of resuscitation research and recommendations led by ILCOR to guide best practices in resuscitation.

Continuous compression CPR is a cardiorespiratory resuscitation technique in which one rescuer provides continuous chest compressions while a second rescuer administers ventilations. This method can be more effective in maintaining blood flow.

The Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF) sets the standards for essential skills training for healthcare staff in England, including BLS. Compliance with CSTF standards ensures consistent and effective training across healthcare settings. CSTF resuscitation training standards are based on the Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.

COVID-19 resuscitation guidelines are modified guidelines by RCUK to minimise the risk of infection during resuscitation by reducing or avoiding mouth-to-mouth ventilation.

COVID-19 resuscitation adjustments are modifications in resuscitation practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, including using protective equipment and prioritising compression-only CPR for bystander safety.

CPR-induced consciousness occurs when a patient shows signs of awareness, such as movement or eye-opening, during chest compressions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This rare phenomenon can indicate effective blood flow to the brain, requiring careful handling by responders to ensure continued resuscitation.

Defibrillation is the process of delivering an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. It’s essential for treating ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT), both of which cause cardiac arrest.

Difficult airway algorithm is a guideline for managing patients with airway obstructions, using techniques such as intubation, bag-mask ventilation, or surgical airway access in extreme cases.

Dispatcher-assisted CPR refers to CPR instructions provided over the phone by emergency dispatchers to help bystanders start CPR quickly and confidently.

The duty to respond is the obligation of healthcare providers trained in paediatric and adult resuscitation to respond effectively to cardiac arrest emergencies.

DRSABCD is a first aid acronym for responding to emergencies:

• Danger - Check for hazards to yourself, others, and the patient.
• Response - Check if the patient responds to touch or voice.
• Send for help - Call emergency services.
• Airway - Ensure the airway is clear and open.
• Breathing - Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
• CPR - Begin CPR with chest compressions if the patient isn't breathing.
• Defibrillation - Use an AED to restore heart rhythm if available.

This sequence guides life-saving actions.

Endotracheal intubation involves inserting a tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway and assist ventilation. It is commonly used in ALS.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are professional medical responders, such as paramedics, dispatched during medical emergencies. EMS involvement is critical in the advanced stages of the resuscitation process.

Extracorporeal CPR (eCPR) is a resuscitation method that uses extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support oxygenation and circulation in cases of refractory cardiac arrest.

Fluid resuscitation is the rapid infusion of fluids to maintain blood volume and pressure, which is essential in treating shock states like anaphylaxis and cardiogenic shock.

A foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) is a blockage in the airway, commonly treated with back blows, abdominal thrusts, or chest thrusts to expel the obstructing object.

A fully Automatic AED is an AED model that automatically delivers a shock if needed without requiring the rescuer to press a button.

Gasping, also known as agonal breathing, is an irregular gasping pattern that is not effective for oxygenation. Gasping is often an early sign of cardiac arrest, prompting immediate CPR.

Glucagon is a hormone used in patients with anaphylaxis on beta-blockers to counteract the cardiovascular effects of these medications and support blood pressure.

The GoodSAM App is an application that connects trained responders to cardiac arrest incidents, helping to provide immediate CPR assistance before EMS arrival.

COVID-19-related resuscitation guidelines are special guidelines that address the challenges of performing resuscitation on suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, ensuring responder safety and effective care.

Hands-only CPR is a simplified CPR method involving only chest compressions without rescue breaths, often recommended for untrained bystanders.

Hand placement refers to the proper hand placement on the lower half of the sternum during CPR. It ensures effective chest compressions and maximises circulation to vital organs.

The head lift and chin lift manoeuvre is used to open the airway in an unconscious person by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. It’s a standard technique in BLS to clear the airway and is particularly important in CPR.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot, causing damage to the heart muscle due to lack of oxygen. Immediate medical attention is crucial.

Heart rhythm monitoring is the process of analysing the heart’s electrical activity to determine if defibrillation is necessary. AEDs have built-in monitors to assess heart rhythm and deliver a shock if required.

High-quality chest compressions are essential in CPR. They involve compressing the chest to a depth of 5–6 cm at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute, with minimal interruptions, to maintain blood flow during cardiac arrest.

High-quality CPR refers to CPR that meets the recommended depth and rate and minimises interruptions. It is critical to improving survival outcomes in cardiac arrest cases.

The hypothermia protocol is a medical treatment used after cardiac arrest to lower a patient's body temperature. It aims to protect the brain by reducing metabolic demand and preventing further neurological damage. It's typically initiated post-resuscitation to improve survival and neurological outcomes.

Hypovolaemia is a state of decreased blood volume that can lead to shock and requires intervention to restore circulation.

Hypovolaemic shock is a life-threatening condition caused by significant blood loss or dehydration, potentially leading to cardiac arrest.

Hypoxia is a condition where body tissues lack adequate oxygen, which can result from respiratory or circulatory failure. BLS aims to restore oxygenation and prevent hypoxic damage.

Immediate life support (ILS) is a training programme designed for healthcare professionals to manage life-threatening emergencies. It focuses on skills like high-quality CPR, airway management, and effectively using an automated external defibrillator (AED). It prepares responders to act quickly and maintain patient stability until advanced medical assistance is available.

In resuscitation terms, an infant is a child from 24 hours to 1 year old. Infants have distinct breathing and circulation patterns and need specialised care.

Infant CPR refers to cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques specifically for infants under 1 year, requiring adjustments in compression depth, rate, and method to avoid injury.

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is an organisation that collaborates globally to provide evidence-based recommendations for resuscitation practices.

Intramuscular (IM) adrenaline is the preferred route of administration for adrenaline in anaphylaxis. It is injected into the thigh to rapidly manage symptoms of severe allergic reactions.

Intraosseous access is an emergency vascular access through the bone, used when other routes are not feasible during resuscitation.

An in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is a cardiac arrest that occurs within a hospital setting, where advanced medical help is immediately available. IHCA cases often involve rapid response teams and immediate BLS and ALS intervention.

Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a device used to maintain an open airway, especially if intubation or mask ventilation is not feasible.

Mast cell tryptase is a marker released in the blood during anaphylaxis, which can confirm the diagnosis in retrospective analysis.

Minimal interruptions in CPR refer to a protocol emphasising continuous compressions with minimal breaks, as each interruption reduces the effectiveness of blood circulation.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation refers to a method of rescue breathing in which the rescuer breathes directly into the patient’s mouth to provide oxygen. It is a form of artificial ventilation in CPR, although other barrier methods are often preferred in practice.

Neonatal hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature in newborns, which can lead to complications if not managed promptly with thermal care.

Neonatal resuscitation is a specialised resuscitation for newborns, focusing on establishing adequate breathing and circulation immediately after birth.

Neonatal transition is the critical period immediately after birth when a newborn adjusts from intrauterine to external life, requiring careful assessment and support.

Neurological outcome refers to the long-term impact on brain function following an injury or medical event, such as cardiac arrest or stroke. It assesses cognitive, motor, and sensory functions to determine recovery level, quality of life, and any lasting neurological deficits.

In resuscitation terms, a newborn refers to a baby from birth up to 24 hours. Newborns require unique resuscitation approaches due to rapid physiological changes post-birth.

Newborn life support (NLS) is a resuscitation approach for infants at birth. NLS ensures adequate breathing and circulation through techniques suited to the newborn’s physiology.

Non-shockable rhythms are heart rhythms that cannot be treated with defibrillation, including pulseless electrical activity (PEA) and asystole.

Noradrenalin is a vasopressor used to increase blood pressure by constricting blood vessels in severe shock states, including refractory anaphylaxis.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a cardiac arrest occurring outside of a hospital setting. Immediate bystander CPR is crucial for survival in these cases, as there is often a delay in advanced care arrival.

Oxygenation refers to the process of ensuring an adequate oxygen supply to the body. It is critical during resuscitation and is prioritised over intubation in refractory anaphylaxis with hypoxia.

Paediatric BLS refers to basic life support techniques adapted for children, with differences in compression depth, rescue breathing ratio, and sequence due to the differing physiology and common causes of paediatric cardiac arrest.

Paediatric basic life support (PBLS) refers to BLS procedures adapted for infants and children, addressing differences in anatomy and physiology from adults. Key components include age-appropriate compressions and breaths.

Paediatric cardiac arrest refers to cardiac arrest in infants and children, typically due to hypoxia rather than a primary cardiac cause, requiring a different initial approach prioritising ventilation.

The paediatric chain of survival is a sequence of actions to maximise survival after paediatric cardiac arrest, including prevention, early CPR, and rapid defibrillation.

Paediatric immediate life support (PILS) is an advanced level of paediatric resuscitation training designed for healthcare professionals to recognise and respond to paediatric emergencies.

Post-cardiac arrest care refers to the advanced care provided following successful resuscitation. It aims to stabilise the patient, prevent complications, and improve long-term outcomes.

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome is a complex condition that occurs after resuscitation from cardiac arrest, involving brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and persistent precipitating factors. This syndrome requires specialised, ongoing care to improve survival and neurological outcomes.

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is a technique for aiding or replacing spontaneous breathing by delivering air or oxygen into the lungs under pressure.

A pulse check is an assessment for the presence or absence of a pulse, traditionally part of the CPR algorithm. While trained providers use pulse checks, the emphasis in BLS is generally on assessing signs of life to avoid unnecessary delays.

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is a condition in which the heart's electrical activity is present but fails to produce a palpable pulse or effective blood flow. Despite normal-looking heart rhythms on an ECG, the heart does not contract effectively, making PEA a form of cardiac arrest requiring immediate CPR and medical intervention.

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method for monitoring oxygen saturation levels in the blood. It is used during resuscitation to assess oxygen delivery.

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia (PVT) is a condition where the ventricles beat too quickly and ineffectively, often leading to cardiac arrest. Like VF, pVT requires defibrillation to correct.

A precordial thump is a firm strike to the chest used only in witnessed cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm when a defibrillator is unavailable.

Pre-ductal saturation targets refer to oxygen saturation targets specific to newborns that help monitor and guide oxygen therapy during resuscitation.

Quality standards for CPR and AED training are standards set to ensure adequate training in CPR and AED use for the general public and professionals to maximise survival rates during cardiac arrests.

The recovery position is a lateral, side-lying position for unconscious individuals with normal breathing. This position helps maintain an open airway and allows fluid to drain from the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration.

Rescue breaths refer to mouth-to-mouth or mask-based breaths provided during CPR to deliver oxygen to the lungs. When the rescuer is trained and willing to perform them, rescue breaths are alternated with chest compressions (at the rate of 30 to 2 rescue breaths).

Refractory anaphylaxis is a severe form of anaphylaxis that does not respond to initial treatment with IM adrenaline, necessitating IV adrenaline infusion, fluid boluses, and potential advanced interventions like CPR.

The resuscitation algorithm is a structured step-by-step guide designed to ensure timely and effective intervention during emergencies.

Rescue breathing is the provision of breaths to a patient who isn’t breathing adequately. It is combined with chest compressions to maintain oxygenation in cases where spontaneous breathing is absent or ineffective.

Respiratory arrest is the absence of effective breathing, often preceding cardiac arrest and requiring assisted ventilation.

Resuscitation is the process of reviving someone from unconsciousness or apparent death, typically through techniques like CPR, defibrillation, and advanced life support. It aims to restore breathing, circulation, and vital signs following events like cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

The Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) is the UK’s authority on resuscitation guidelines. It provides evidence-based recommendations on resuscitation practices, including guidelines for basic, immediate, and advanced life support for adults, newborns, and paediatrics. The RCUK guidelines are widely adopted across healthcare systems in the UK to ensure the quality of emergency care.

Resuscitation team roles relate to designated roles in a resuscitation team, including compression provider, airway manager, and team leader, to coordinate effective resuscitation efforts.

Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) is the resumption of a sustained, effective heartbeat and blood flow following cardiac arrest, often achieved through CPR or advanced resuscitation efforts. ROSC indicates successful initial resuscitation, though ongoing monitoring and care are crucial for patient recovery.

The 4 Hs and 4 Ts are identifiable, reversible causes of cardiac arrest that guide resuscitation:

4 Hs:

• Hypoxia - lack of oxygen.
• Hypovolaemia - severe blood or fluid loss.
• Hypothermia - dangerously low body temperature.
• Hyper/Hypokalaemia & metabolic disorders - abnormal potassium levels or metabolic issues.

4 Ts:

• Tension pneumothorax - trapped chest air compressing the lungs.
• Tamponade (cardiac) - fluid around the heart impairing function.
• Toxins - overdose or poisoning.
• Thrombosis - blood clots in lungs or heart arteries.

Addressing these can restore circulation and increase survival.

Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death, beginning about 2-4 hours post-mortem and peaking around 12 hours. It occurs due to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production cessation, which leaves muscles in a contracted state. This process helps forensic experts estimate the time of death and gradually resolves as decomposition progresses.

Brief, seizure-like convulsions that can occur during the onset of cardiac arrest. After these movements stop, assess responsiveness and breathing to confirm cardiac arrest.

Shock is a critical condition where blood flow is insufficient to meet the body’s needs, causing organ dysfunction. Types of shock include anaphylactic and cardiogenic shock, treated with fluid resuscitation and medication.

Shockable rhythms are abnormal heart rhythms that are treatable with defibrillation, specifically ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless VT (pVT).

Spontaneous breathing refers to natural, unassisted breathing. A return to spontaneous breathing is often a critical indicator of successful resuscitation in infants and adults.

Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy breathing sound indicative of airway obstruction. It is often seen in severe anaphylaxis and may require airway intervention.

Suctioning removes obstructions like mucus or blood from the airway to ensure clear airflow during resuscitation.

A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating. Prompt CPR and defibrillation are critical to increasing survival rates.

Survival rate refers to the percentage of individuals who survive cardiac arrest, which can be increased significantly by early and high-quality CPR and defibrillation.

Tachycardia is a fast heart rate that, depending on the cause, may lead to unstable perfusion and require intervention.

Targeted temperature management refers to controlled cooling or warming to achieve a specific temperature and improve neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest.

The Circuit is a UK-based national registry that provides information on the location of AEDs to improve public access during emergencies.

Therapeutic hypothermia or targeted temperature management is a treatment to cool the body post-ROSC, reducing brain damage and improving neurological outcomes.

Tidal volume is the amount of air delivered to the lungs during each ventilation. A target of 5-8 mL/kg in newborn resuscitation is often recommended.

Time to defibrillation refers to the interval between the onset of cardiac arrest and the delivery of an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. Faster defibrillation significantly increases survival rates, making timely intervention critical in cardiac emergencies.

The two-finger technique delivers chest compressions to infants using two fingers to achieve appropriate compression depth without excessive force.

The two-thumb technique for infant CPR involves encircling the infant's chest with both hands, placing both thumbs on the breastbone, and pressing down to provide compressions. This method ensures controlled, effective compressions for smaller bodies.

Vascular access is the establishment of an access point to administer drugs or fluids. It is often critical in resuscitation to administer adrenaline or other medications.

Vasopressors are medications like noradrenaline that constrict blood vessels, raising blood pressure in hypotensive states.

Ventilation is the process of delivering breaths to a patient during CPR, typically performed mouth-to-mouth or with a bag-mask device.

Ventilation breaths are breaths delivered manually or with a device during CPR to supply oxygen to the lungs.

Ventilation rate refers to the frequency of rescue breaths provided during CPR. For adults, the recommended rate is typically one breath every 5-6 seconds when combined with compressions.

The ventilation ratio is the ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths during CPR. In adult BLS, the ratio is 30:2, whereas in paediatric BLS by healthcare providers, the recommended ratio is often 15:2.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening heart rhythm causing the ventricles to quiver rather than pump blood effectively. Defibrillation is necessary to correct this condition.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid ventricular rhythm that may require defibrillation of the pulseless.