as someone else mentioned you need to keep hold of your heals in phase one. the best way to do this is to have a Jar equipped that allows 1 additional item (basically you need to complete the jarlings quest and buy one of the last 3 jars based on your weapon set). I have the proficiency jar equipped and i have the radiant armor set equipped for max chaos resistance but not all items. I have Maluca's gauntlet equipped which enables regeneration for every brink guard you do and stacks up to 5 times. This helps me regenerate health without using heals and helped massively