Introduction
In the realm of emergency medical care, two critical certifications are Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). Both are designed to help healthcare providers save lives during cardiovascular emergencies, but they differ significantly in scope, complexity, and application. This article explores these differences in detail.
Key point: The ACLS course entirely includes the BLS course concepts. Many companies require staff to do ACLS and BLS certifications, which seems to be duplicitous.
Good news: If you do your BLS with Pacific Medical Training BLS, we manage to get you up to 8 CE credit hours for it.
Basic life support (BLS)
Definition and purpose (BLS)
Basic Life Support (BLS) provides the foundational skills necessary for responding to life-threatening emergencies. BLS focuses on immediate actions to support breathing and circulation in victims of cardiac arrest and other emergencies until advanced medical care can be provided.
Key components (BLS)
- Chest compressions: High-quality compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute to maintain blood circulation.
- Airway management: Techniques to keep the airway open, such as head tilt–chin lift.
- Rescue breathing: Providing breaths to ensure oxygenation, often using a bag-valve-mask (BVM).
- Automated external defibrillator (AED): Using an AED to deliver shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Training and certification (BLS)
BLS certification is accessible to a wide range of individuals, including lay rescuers and healthcare providers. The training typically takes a few hours and includes hands-on practice to ensure competency in performing CPR and using an AED.
Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)
Definition and purpose (ACLS)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) builds upon the skills learned in BLS, adding advanced interventions to treat cardiac arrest, stroke, and other cardiovascular emergencies. ACLS is intended for healthcare professionals involved in the management of these critical situations.
Key components (ACLS)
- Advanced airway management: Techniques such as endotracheal intubation and the use of supraglottic airway devices.
- Pharmacology: Administration of emergency drugs like epinephrine, amiodarone, and atropine.
- Cardiac monitoring: Interpretation of ECGs to identify and treat arrhythmias.
- Team dynamics and leadership: Coordination and effective communication among team members during resuscitation efforts.
Training and certification (ACLS)
ACLS certification is more intensive, requiring several days of training that includes advanced skill practice, ECG interpretation, pharmacology, and team dynamics. It is designed for healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and paramedics.
Key differences between ACLS and BLS
Scope of practice
- BLS: Focuses on basic interventions like chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use.
- ACLS: Includes advanced interventions such as drug administration, advanced airway management, and cardiac monitoring.
Target audience
- BLS: Suitable for a broad range of individuals, including lay rescuers, lifeguards, and healthcare providers.
- ACLS: Intended for healthcare professionals with a higher level of training and responsibility, such as doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
Level of training
- BLS: Short training duration, typically a few hours, focusing on basic skills.
- ACLS: Comprehensive training over several days, covering complex medical procedures and advanced techniques.
You can find more about the differences between our BLS and CPR courses on the BLS, CPR and CPA/FA/AED page.
Situational application
- BLS: Used in various settings, including community, workplace, and hospital environments for immediate, life-saving interventions.
- ACLS: Applied in clinical settings such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, and during patient transport, where advanced care is necessary.
References
- American Heart Association. (2020). BLS Provider Manual.
- American Heart Association. (2020). ACLS Provider Manual.
- Field, J. M., Hazinski, M. F., & Sayre, M. R. (2010). Part 1: Executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation, 122(18_suppl_3), S640-S656.
- Kleinman, M. E., Brennan, E. E., Goldberger, Z. D., Swor, R. A., Terry, M., Bobrow, B. J., … & Hazinski, M. F. (2015). Part 5: Adult basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality: 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation, 132(18_suppl_2), S414-S435.
- Pacific Medical Training. (2024). ACLS Syllabus. Retrieved from /acls
- Pacific Medical Training. (2024). BLS Syllabus. Retrieved from /bls