Advanced life support

Medications that may be administered include adrenaline (epinephrine), amiodarone, atropine, bicarbonate, calcium, potassium and magnesium, among others.

While CPR is performed (which may involve either manual chest compressions or the use of automated equipment such as the AutoPulse or LUCAS device), members of the team consider eight forms of potentially reversible causes for cardiac arrest, commonly abbreviated as "6Hs & 5Ts" according to 2005/2010 AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

[1][2][3][4] Note these reversible causes are usually taught and remembered as 4Hs and 4Ts[5]—including hypoglycaemia and acidosis with hyper/hypokalaemia and 'metabolic causes' and omitting trauma from the T's as this is redundant with hypovolaemia—this simplification aids recall during resuscitation.

The ratio of compressions to ventilations is now recommended as 30:2 for adults, to produce higher coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures.

In the United Kingdom paramedics are registered healthcare professionals with the Health and Care Professions Council and are qualified to ALS level.