What is Basic Life Support (BLS)?

Basic Life Support (BLS) refers to the essential, noninvasive procedures used to sustain life during medical emergencies. This includes techniques like CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), airway management, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to address life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrest or respiratory distress. BLS is designed to be performed by anyone with the requisite training—regardless of medical background—before advanced medical help can arrive.

This option emphasizes what BLS is fundamentally about: providing immediate, critical intervention that is vital for maintaining blood flow and breathing in unconscious or unresponsive individuals. The goal is to stabilize a patient's condition until further medical assistance can be given.

The other options, while they may relate to medical care in various forms, do not accurately describe BLS. Advanced surgical techniques and invasive procedures involve more complex interventions that typically require higher levels of training and are not part of basic lifesaving measures. Psychological support is important in emergencies but does not fit into the core definition of BLS, which is focused on immediate physical care rather than emotional or psychological assistance.