basic life support (BLS) [Gk, basis, foundation; AS, lif + L, supportare, to bring up to] , the care that health care providers and public safety professionals provide to patients who are experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or airway obstruction. BLS includes psychomotor skills for performing high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using an automated external defibrillator (AED), and relieving an obstructed airway for patients of all ages.
