BLS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BLS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What should a team member do if unsure about a task they were assigned? → Ask the team leader for clarification
2. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer infant CPR? → 30:2
3. In a drowning victim, why are rescue breaths considered especially important compared to standard cardiac arrest? → Because the primary cause of cardiac arrest is hypoxia from asphyxia
4. How should a single rescuer prioritize interventions when alone with an unresponsive opioid overdose victim who has no normal breathing but has a pulse? → Call 911, give rescue breaths, and administer naloxone if available
5. Manual left uterine displacement (LUD) during CPR in pregnancy is performed primarily to: → Relieve compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the gravid uterus
6. How long should you check for breathing and pulse simultaneously? → No more than 10 seconds
7. What is the principle of 'patient autonomy'? → Respecting the patient’s right to refuse treatment
8. How do you open the airway in an unresponsive adult without suspected spinal injury? → Head tilt–chin lift
9. As you finish the fifth cycle of 15:2 CPR, assistance with an AED arrives. (True or False) Use adult AED pads for children 8 years of age and older. → True
10. Which method is used to open the airway in an unresponsive victim without suspected trauma? → Head tilt–chin lift
11. For adult CPR, what is the recommended compression rate? → 100–120 compressions per minute
12. Chest compressions should be used as the first step in CPR if you DON'T DEFINITELY feel a pulse in the first ______ seconds. → 10
13. In pregnancy-related cardiac arrest, what intervention is considered if CPR remains unsuccessful after 4–5 minutes? → Emergency perimortem cesarean delivery to relieve aortocaval compression
14. Where should the rescuer's hands be placed for adult chest compressions? → Lower half of the sternum, at the center of the chest
15. Which of the following is a key element of closed-loop communication? → Repeating back the instruction
16. Which device is commonly used to maintain a patent airway in an unconscious patient? → Oropharyngeal airway
17. What is the goal of post-resuscitation care? → To stabilize and optimize the patient's condition
18. In CPR quality metrics, what does 'chest compression fraction' (CCF) measure? → The proportion of total resuscitation time spent actively performing chest compressions
19. Why is early CPR important in the Chain of Survival? → It delays brain death
20. When should chest compressions be paused to allow the AED to analyze the heart rhythm? → Approximately every 2 minutes, aligned with compressor rotation and AED prompts
21. In a suspected opioid overdose victim who is pulseless with absent or agonal breathing, what is the correct BLS action? → Begin CPR immediately and use naloxone if available
22. After giving naloxone to a victim of opioid overdose, if there is no response after 2–3 minutes, you should: → Give an additional dose of naloxone
23. What role does the team leader play during a resuscitation attempt? → Directs and assigns tasks
24. What is the purpose of rescue breathing in CPR? → Deliver oxygen
25. What is the benefit of debriefing after a resuscitation attempt? → Identifies training gaps and improves performance
26. After two rounds of chest thrusts and back slaps, the infant becomes limp and unresponsive. What will you do in this situation to intervene? → have someone activate emergency services
27. What is the first link in the adult Chain of Survival? → Recognition and activation of emergency response
28. What is the most critical factor in effective team-based BLS? → Clear communication among team members
29. What should be done immediately after delivering a shock with an AED? → Resume CPR
30. A person is found unresponsive with slow, gurgling respirations of 4 breaths per minute. You suspect opioid overdose. What is the FIRST action? → Activate the emergency response system (call 911) and get naloxone if available