What must be true for BLS to terminate resuscitation in patients 18 years and older?

For Basic Life Support (BLS) to terminate resuscitation efforts in patients aged 18 years and older, it is essential that Advanced Life Support (ALS) resources are genuinely unavailable. This guideline emphasizes the importance of ensuring that a higher level of care is not accessible before deciding to stop resuscitation efforts. If ALS is not available, BLS providers must continue their efforts until they reach a point where their interventions are no longer effective, or until medical direction provides further guidance.

In this context, the absence of ALS resources means that the patient is not receiving the comprehensive care and interventions that advanced providers could offer, which might provide a better chance for survival. This principle is rooted in the idea that all possible avenues for saving a life should be pursued, particularly in emergency situations where time is of the essence.

Termination of resuscitation without the availability of ALS would not be appropriate, as it possibly deprives the patient of vital care that could stabilize their condition. Therefore, this choice underscores the critical nature of having appropriate resources available and the protocols established to ensure that all efforts are made before resuscitation is halted.