What guidelines should be followed for adolescents in BLS?

For adolescents, the appropriate guidelines to follow in Basic Life Support (BLS) are the adult guidelines. This is because adolescents, generally defined as individuals aged 12 years and older, are physiologically and developmentally more similar to adults than to younger children or infants. As such, they require the same approach to BLS as an adult would.

The adult BLS guidelines include steps such as calling for emergency medical services, initiating high-quality chest compressions, and providing rescue breaths if trained to do so. These guidelines emphasize the importance of effective compressions and an understanding of how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) when needed.

In contrast, guidelines for infants and children differ significantly due to their smaller body size, different anatomical considerations, and varying physiological responses to emergencies. For example, the depth and rate of compressions, as well as the method of delivering rescue breaths, differ for younger populations. Therefore, applying adult guidelines to adolescents ensures that the support provided is suitable for their age group and physical condition.