BLS AND ACLS GUIDLINES: INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND UKRAINIAN PRACTICE

Abstract

Emergency medical care for sudden cardiac arrest requires strict adherence to international protocols that ensure maximum chances of patient survival. The resuscitation system is based on two levels of life support: BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support). Although these protocols have a common basis, they differ in different countries depending on organisational, educational and resource capabilities.Objective. To conduct a comparative analysis of international resuscitation schools (ERC, AHA, MRC, ANZCOR, Ministry of Health of Ukraine) in order to identify their key features and factors affecting the effectiveness of training and emergency care systems.Materials and methods. We analysed current international and national recommendations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in particular the protocols of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), the American Heart Association (AHA), the Maltese Resuscitation Council (MRC), the Australian and New Zealand Resuscitation Committee (ANZCOR), and Order No. 1259 of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 18 July 2024.Results. It was found that all schools are based on ILCOR recommendations and have common principles: high-quality chest compressions, a 30:2 ratio, early use of AED, teamwork and continuous training. At the same time, there are key emphases: ERC – standardisation of training and mass training of the population; AHA – detailing of algorithms, quality monitoring and team interaction; MRC – development of leadership skills in resuscitation teams; ANZCOR – simplicity, accessibility and adaptation to remote regions; Ukrainian school – integration of civilian and military experience, tactical medicine, adaptation to limited resources.Conclusions. The most effective resuscitation systems combine international standards with local adaptation, ensuring a balance between scientific evidence and practical implementation. For Ukraine, important areas remain the unification of training, the development of cross-sectoral cooperation, the introduction of modern technologies, and the systematic updating of medical workers’ knowledge.