Basic life support

BLS algorithm. Learn it. If you get asked to see a patient outside of the hospital or away from clever defibrillating technology,

ABC

In any patient, the first things to do are:

• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation

If one of these things shows an error, you need to sort it and there's a chance you need to sort it quickly. If you're in hospital, take a look at ALS (advanced life support).

Why do BLS?

Well, it won't cure them. There's no magical 'kiss of life'. It may however keep them alive long enough that help can arrive and you can do something actually useful.