ADVANCE LIFE SUPPORT
Advance Life Support (ALS) refers to a set of medical interventions used to manage life-threatening emergencies, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest, severe trauma, or respiratory failure. ALS goes beyond basic life support (BLS) by incorporating advanced airway management, intravenous (IV) therapy, medication administration, and cardiac monitoring.
Why Is ALS Important?
- Increases Survival Rates; ALS interventions, like defibrillation and advanced airway management, can significantly improve a patient's chances of survival and recovery.
- Stabilizes Critical Patients; It helps maintain circulation, breathing, and organ function until the patient reaches a hospital.
- Manages Complex Emergencies; ALS is crucial for handling severe conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and major trauma, where immediate advanced care is needed.
- Prepares for Hospital Treatment; ALS-trained professionals initiate treatment before hospital arrival, reducing delays in critical care
INTRAVENOUS THERAPY
Intraosseous , which it used to deliver fluids or medication inside a vein that is inside a bone
Peroral : Oral Route of administration Like tablets or pills
- Intravenous therapy (IV) is a procedure used to deliver fluids directly into a vein.
- The intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver medications and fluid replacement throughout the body.
- It can be syringes, auto-injectors or drips
Intraosseous , which it used to deliver fluids or medication inside a vein that is inside a bone
Peroral : Oral Route of administration Like tablets or pills
AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
12-20 breaths per minute being the normal rate
Anything higher than that must be observed, can be caused by emotional shock, hypothermia, low blood pressure
No Breathing (0 Breaths/Minute)
Ensure your patient’s airway is not compromised by any solids or fluids. If not breathing, begin CPR immediately.
Very Slow (Hypoventilation) (<8 Breaths/minute)
The patient is not capable of getting enough oxygen into their body on their own.
Usage of a Bag Valve Mask (See below) is Mandatory.
Slow (Bradypnea) (8-12 Breaths/Minute)
A low respiratory rate can be caused by high blood pressure, disease, blood loss, fatigue or medication.
Usage of a Non-Rebreather Mask (See below) may be needed.
Fast (Tachypnea) (20 Breaths/Minute)
High respiratory rate can be caused by stress, asthma, heart stroke, poisoning, and blood loss.
Very Fast (Hyperventilation) (21+ Breaths/Minute)
Hyperventilation can cause lack of C02 within the bloodstream, as a result, blood vessels will constrict causing nerves to not properly function.
Non-Rebreather Mask at 15LPM
12-20 breaths per minute being the normal rate
Anything higher than that must be observed, can be caused by emotional shock, hypothermia, low blood pressure
No Breathing (0 Breaths/Minute)
Ensure your patient’s airway is not compromised by any solids or fluids. If not breathing, begin CPR immediately.
Very Slow (Hypoventilation) (<8 Breaths/minute)
The patient is not capable of getting enough oxygen into their body on their own.
Usage of a Bag Valve Mask (See below) is Mandatory.
Slow (Bradypnea) (8-12 Breaths/Minute)
A low respiratory rate can be caused by high blood pressure, disease, blood loss, fatigue or medication.
Usage of a Non-Rebreather Mask (See below) may be needed.
Fast (Tachypnea) (20 Breaths/Minute)
High respiratory rate can be caused by stress, asthma, heart stroke, poisoning, and blood loss.
Very Fast (Hyperventilation) (21+ Breaths/Minute)
Hyperventilation can cause lack of C02 within the bloodstream, as a result, blood vessels will constrict causing nerves to not properly function.
Non-Rebreather Mask at 15LPM
HEART RATE
the normal pulse is between 60 and 100 BPM .
Anything lower than 60 or higher than 100 could mean that there is a problem with the blood flow.
If the pulse is lower than 15 you will either perform CPR or you will use a defibrillator
the normal pulse is between 60 and 100 BPM .
Anything lower than 60 or higher than 100 could mean that there is a problem with the blood flow.
If the pulse is lower than 15 you will either perform CPR or you will use a defibrillator
BLOOD PRESSURE
It is expressed as a measurement with two numbers:
The systolic number - Which is the amount of pressure inside the arteries during the contraction of the heart muscles
the Diastolic number - Which is the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed
- Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
- Normal values are 90-120mmHg Systolic with 60-90mmHg Diastolic
- If the pressure is higher than normal, you have to find out why
- If the pressure is lower, you have to find out if it's normal or not
- If it's below 90mmHg systolic with 60mmHg diastolic, and it is accompanied with one or more of the following symptoms:
Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, or caused by intense hemorrhage
It is expressed as a measurement with two numbers:
The systolic number - Which is the amount of pressure inside the arteries during the contraction of the heart muscles
the Diastolic number - Which is the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed
- Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
- Normal values are 90-120mmHg Systolic with 60-90mmHg Diastolic
- If the pressure is higher than normal, you have to find out why
- If the pressure is lower, you have to find out if it's normal or not
- If it's below 90mmHg systolic with 60mmHg diastolic, and it is accompanied with one or more of the following symptoms:
Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, or caused by intense hemorrhage
AIRFLOW SUPPORT
1. Bag valve mask (BVM):
2. Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB):
1. Bag valve mask (BVM):
- The BVM consists of a flexible air chamber and a flexible mask to seal the patient's mouth
- A filter to prevent contamination and a valve to prevent backflow
- You will use the BVM to mechanically assist ventilation on patients that cannot breath on their own
- Method of operation:
- You will seal both the nose and mouth of the patient with the flexible mask
- Hold one hand on the flexible mask to keep it fixed
- Then squeeze the air chamber with the other hand
- Repeat once every 5-6 seconds
2. Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB):
- The NRB is a device used to assist in the delivery of oxygen therapy or to deliver inhaling medication
- Unlike the previous one, you will use the NRB when the patient can breath on his own
- It is commonly used for patients that suffer from asthma or that inhaled a large amount of smoke
Automated External Defibrillator
An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening Cardiac arrhythmias
After the device recognizes a cardiac arrest, it will inflict a high voltage chock
Method of operation:
An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening Cardiac arrhythmias
After the device recognizes a cardiac arrest, it will inflict a high voltage chock
Method of operation:
- Cut Patient’s clothes around the chest area using the clothing shears
- Attach the two electrode pads on the patient's chest
- Turn on the AED and wait for it to gather information
- If the device finds cardiac arrest or heart arrhythmia, it will inflict a high voltage shock
- The AED can also be used to check the patient's vital signs
- Once you attach the electrode pads, you will be able to see the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate on the monitor
Honorable Mention; Special Thanks to Judith Lloyd (Luna Finch) Ex Fire Chief and a Doctor for helping us to recreate ALS.