What is the Difference between BLS and ALS?
Basic Life Support (BLS) services are provided by Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) members of the squad. EMTs attend a 160 hour New York State Training program in a variety of topics, including bleeding control, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), fracture management, shock, child birth, oxygen therapy and administration, burn management, and airway control. The program encompasses classroom hours, skills training and clinical observation. EMTs are part of the crew that responds to your call for help. The EMT is a vital link in the chain from the emergency scene to the hospital. All patients are treated with BLS skills upon initial patient contact. Advanced Life Support (ALS) services are provided by Paramedic members of the squad. Paramedics attend a training program for one year, which involves approximately 1000 to 1200 hours and includes classroom hours, with skills and clinical training in a hospital setting. Paramedic students spend hundreds of hours in the hospital emergency
· The Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare is a classroom Course , approximately 4.5 hours, including skills practice & skills testing while the ALS course requires approximately 10-12 hours to complete which including skills practice and skills testing.
· BLS involve the routine checking of the patient’s airway, breathing, and blood flow in combination with chest compressions . The ALS certification goes even deeper, with the use of electrocardiograms, IV medications, and intubation.
