What does the term "adult" refer to in the context of age definitions for basic life support?

In the context of basic life support, "adult" is defined as a person who has surpassed the physical and developmental changes of puberty. This classification is important because it aligns with physiological and anatomical differences that influence first aid and CPR techniques. Individuals in the adult category typically exhibit more developed physical characteristics and a larger body size compared to infants and children, which affects factors such as compression depth and airway management during resuscitation efforts.

Defining adulthood as being past puberty helps first responders to apply appropriate techniques tailored to the specific needs of individuals at different developmental stages. This distinction ensures that the life-saving measures are effective based on the individual's unique anatomical and physiological characteristics. The age of 18 years or older, while commonly associated with adulthood in many contexts, is not the primary factor considered in the basic life support definition as it seeks to focus on the biological changes rather than a strict chronological age.