What defines an adolescent for Basic Life Support care?

An adolescent, for the purposes of Basic Life Support care, is defined as a person from the onset of puberty through adulthood. This phase typically marks significant physical, emotional, and psychological development. Understanding this stage is critical for healthcare providers as the physiology and medical needs of adolescents can be different from those of younger children or adults.

The onset of puberty generally occurs between the ages of 9 and 14, which is when individuals start to experience the changes associated with becoming adults. This definition is paramount for emergency responders, as interventions, dosages, and considerations may vary significantly from those applied to younger children or infants. Recognizing this age group allows caregivers and healthcare providers to properly administer life support measures tailored to the developmental and physiological characteristics of adolescents.