ACLS vs BLS: What are the Primary Differences

When it comes to learning first aid and CPR, there are many different options available. While there is a lot of overlap between these courses, there are some important differences that you should be aware of before you register for one or the other.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes ACLS vs BLS such different courses. We’ll also go over some of the major differences between them so that you can decide if one course is right for you or if both might be beneficial.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that has been proven to help victims of cardiac arrest. CPR can save lives by improving blood flow to the brain and vital organs until emergency medical professionals arrive on the scene to provide advanced life support (ALS).

CPR is an important skill for anyone who wants to learn how to respond in an emergency situation involving a person who has suffered a cardiac arrest or other medical emergency that requires resuscitation.

Automated external defibrillation (AED) is used to deliver an electric shock to the heart and restore normal heart rhythm. If you’re trained in CPR, AED training is worth considering because it’s easy to learn and can be done by anyone who has basic first aid training.

The American Heart Association estimates that bystanders who witness an adult collapse can use an AED within 3 minutes of calling 911 — which is critical time in saving someone’s life.

Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment to increase the chance of survival.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed manually by chest compressions and artificial ventilation by mouth-to-mouth breathing until emergency medical services can arrive at the scene.

Why Do I need BLS and/or ACLS?

Knowing how to perform CPR is a requirement for many jobs in healthcare, including nursing, physician assistant, and respiratory therapy.

Other people may want to take an ACLS course because they have a family member or friend who has experienced cardiac arrest and now want to be prepared for that situation.

If you’re not sure whether you need ACLS vs BLS training, ask yourself:

  • Do I work in a hospital?
  • Do I need basic life-saving skills to assist any other victims?
  • Do I work closely with patients?
  • Am I interested in becoming a nurse?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then learning how to perform CPR could potentially save someone’s life one day!

ACLS Vs BLS: Understanding the Differences

The basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) courses are two of the most important first aid training courses available.

They both involve CPR, but that’s where the similarities end. These courses differ in terms of the depth of knowledge they provide students with regarding the treatment of cardiac arrest victims.

What is ACLS: ACLS vs BLS?

The ACLS course teaches you how to respond to life-threatening situations. You’ll learn how to give CPR, use an AED, and other life-saving techniques.

AHA’s ACLS First Aid course is generally offered as an 8-hour class over two days or as a 2-day intensive course (16 hours).

It is designed for healthcare professionals with limited or no experience in cardiac emergencies: RNs, LVNs, paramedics, EMTs, nurses’ aides, respiratory therapists, and other paramedical personnel who may be first responders; physicians’ assistants; physician extenders; nurses; physicians; physician assistants; dentists; pharmacists and paramedics.

The Skills acquired in an ACLS Class

The material covered in this first aid class is designed to help you acquire skills that will enable train you on:

  • The ability to recognize life-threatening cardiac conditions, including cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke.
  • Basic life support skills, including adult CPR with a barrier device and use of an AED.
  • Advanced airway management techniques, including insertion of an oral pharyngeal airway (OPA), nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), and endotracheal tube (ETT).
  • Advanced vascular access techniques for rapid infusion of intravenous medications or fluids.
  • Additionally, participants are taught how to use therapeutic drugs such as epinephrine, atropine, and naloxone.

Finally, they will learn how to use oxygen therapy, vasopressors, and mechanical ventilation techniques.

What is BLS?

BLS is the most basic level of training offered by the American Red Cross and meets National Safety Council standards for CPR certification across all 50 states and Canada.

It’s considered “first aid” because it teaches basic lifesaving skills like CPR and choking rescue techniques, but it doesn’t teach any advanced medical interventions like ventilation and oxygen therapy.

In this course, you will learn:

  • How to recognize the signs of a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath
  • How to assess whether someone is having a heart attack or other cardiac emergency
  • How to perform CPR on adults, children, and infants
  • How to use an AED on adults, children, and infants

BLS for Healthcare Providers

The BLS for Healthcare Providers course is specifically designed for healthcare professionals that may find themselves in a position where they need to provide life-saving first aid to patients.

This course is different from the standard BLS because it teaches you how to apply AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) and provides training on how to use an airway adjunct device (AAD). You’ll also learn how to assess patients who have suffered severe trauma injuries such as spinal cord injuries or head injuries.

BLS for the Public

First responders are trained in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), which involves chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; however, they might not be able to help you if you have an asthma attack or stroke, or suffer sudden cardiac arrest.

The BLS for the Public course teaches you how to recognize these conditions and provide immediate emergency care in order to save lives.

ACLS vs BLS What are the Primary Differences

The primary differences between ACLS vs BLS first aid training are:

  1. The level of care required for each course

The main difference between these two courses is that BLS certification requires you to know only CPR — which is the first step in resuscitation — while ACLS training also covers advanced life support techniques like defibrillation and drug administration.

The ACLS class requires more advanced care than does BLS. Advanced cardiac life support is a more advanced level of care than basic life support, but it’s not necessary for everyone. If this isn’t something you think you will use frequently, the basic course may be better suited for your needs.

  1. Duration of the course

ACLS courses are longer than BLS courses and focus on different material (skills). The number of hours depends on the certification provider; however, most instructors teach 12 hours of content.

Also, CPR certification requires only a single day of training, while ACLS certification involves multiple days of study and practice sessions before you can take your test.

  1. How often each class can be taken: 

Because they’re different levels of certification, it’s possible to take both courses multiple times — but not at the same time;

  1. Who should take the course?

ACLS is a certification level for healthcare professionals, while BLS is the training level for laypeople. This means that ACLS and BLS have very different training requirements, but both are designed to help you respond appropriately in an emergency situation.

The BLS course teaches laypersons, such as office workers, how to perform CPR on a person who is having a heart attack, choking, or has stopped breathing. The ACLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals like nurses and doctors who are trained to perform life-saving procedures in the event of a cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies.

For example, if you’re looking for a job that requires ACLS certification, you’ll need to take an ACLS course that teaches you how to be able to perform CPR on a patient who has had a cardiac arrest. If you’re just looking for basic CPR skills, then BLS (Basic Life Support) will be sufficient for your needs.

  1. The comprehensiveness of the course

Another difference between ACLS and BLS is that ACLS is usually broken down into four levels: Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal/Pediatric Advanced Life Support (NALS).

Each level builds upon the previous one so that by the time you reach NALS, you’ve learned everything there is about resuscitation techniques for children and babies.

  1. The Tools & Resources

ACLS courses will have a lot more resources, such as a defibrillator and an AED. They also may have more tools, such as suction devices, oxygen masks, and IV fluids.

  1. Pharmaceuticals

ACLS courses teach you how to give medications such as nitroglycerin for chest pain, epinephrine for anaphylaxis, and glucagon for hypoglycemia. BLS courses do not teach these medications.

  1. The amount of time spent on each component of the course

Another difference between ACLS and BLS is in the amount of time spent on each component of the course. For example, while both courses have similar content in terms of anatomy, physiology, and assessment skills, ACLS goes into more depth when it comes to treatment plans.

  1. Hands-on training versus lectures

ACLS also includes a lot more hands-on training than BLS does because it focuses on advanced life support skills like defibrillation and tube placement for things like chest tubes or IV access.

While it’s possible to get an online ACLS course, most people choose to take an in-person class. This gives you more hands-onCPR experience with the material and allows you to ask questions directly from an instructor, who can give feedback on your performance.

  1. Immediate care vs. patient treatment

BLS focuses on providing immediate care to someone who’s in cardiac arrest, whereas ACLS focuses on treating patients with heart attacks and other serious conditions.

You can think of it like this: BLS is for people who want to be able to help out in an emergency situation but don’t want to go into the medical field after their training. ACLS is for people who want to pursue a career in medicine or nursing.

  1. Requirements 

While both courses have minimum numbers of students, there are more requirements for taking ACLS than for taking BLS. For example, you must be at least 18 years old and have completed an introductory EKG course before you can take ACLS (but only if you want to obtain an AHA certification). You must also take a CPR refresher class every two years if you want to maintain your AHA certification after completion.

What are Different Types of CPR Courses?

When it comes to CPR courses, it’s not always about ACLS vs BLS, the American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes several other types of CPR courses:

  1. Basic Life Support (BLS). 

This is the most basic level of training. BLS teaches basic steps for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on adults, children, and infants. It also teaches how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

  1. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). 

This course teaches you advanced life support skills, including ventilation, intravenous fluids and drugs, electrocardiograms, and other procedures that may be necessary for medical emergencies.

You must pass a written test before taking this course if you’ve already taken the BLS course or its equivalent. Most course providers offers ACLS classes online or in classrooms around the country.

  1. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification

PALS certification teaches you how to deal with pediatric emergencies such as breathing problems or seizures in babies and young children. It’s similar to ACLS certification but not necessarily required because some organizations consider BLS training more comprehensive than PALS training.

  1. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)/First Responder (FR). 

EMR/FR is a step up from BLS and PALS/CPR-C but not as advanced as ACLS certification. EMR/FR training is usually included as part of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, which is considered equivalent to the Paramedic level of training.

  1. Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B). 

This is the lowest level of medical provider training in the field. EMTs are still able to provide life-saving interventions like CPR, oxygen administration, and bandaging, but they may not be able to provide more advanced treatments such as intravenous fluids or medication administration.

Many EMTs move on from this level into paramedic training programs once they have gained experience in the field, but some choose to stay at this level since it allows them more flexibility than paramedic work does.

ACLS & BLS First-aid Class Similarities

Both ACLS and BLS are first aid courses that teach you how to save lives. The similarities between ACLS and BLS are:

  • Both are courses that focus on basic life support, including the understanding of the heart, its rhythm, and how to respond to a variety of cardiac emergencies.
  • Both require an American Heart Association (AHA) certification before taking the course, so you must be at least 15 years old or have completed a CPR course within the past two years.
  • Both courses include training for infant and child CPR as well as adult CPR.
  • Both offer certification for professionals who work in health care settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Both classes use simulation techniques to teach you how to respond in an emergency situation.

Lastly, both classes also require you to take quizzes throughout the course, as well as take a final exam at the end of the class.

ACLS vs BLS: Which Course Should I Take?

There are a few differences between the ACLS and BLS courses. Although both are important, some people may find one more beneficial than the other. Before you decide whether to take an ACLS or BLS course, consider these factors:

  1. Desired level of certification

The first thing you should do when deciding which cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate to pursue is determine the level of certification you want.

If you only need basic CPR training for yourself or your family members, then BLS is probably sufficient. If you’re required by your employer or school to get a certain level of certification, then ACLS may be necessary for your career or studies.

  1. Costs

The cost of taking an ACLS course is much higher than that of a BLS course. This is due to the extensive curriculum and the number of hours required for each type of certification. But if you’re looking for a career in nursing, it’s worth it to invest in your future by taking an ACLS course instead of just getting your BLS certification.

  1. Time Commitment

ACLS requires at least 100 hours of hands-on training while BLS requires only 60 hours. This means that an ACLS class will take longer than a BLS class but also allow students more time to practice skills before receiving their certification.

  1. How much experience do you already have?

Another thing to consider when choosing between ACLS vs BLS is how much experience you already have with CPR. If you already know how to perform CPR and treat cardiac arrest in an emergency situation, then BLS may be all you need.

However, if this isn’t the case then both courses are worth taking because they teach different things. While BLS teaches CPR and treatment for choking victims, ACLS teaches advanced life support procedures like airway management and intravenous fluids administration.

CPR Classes: What are My Options?

When it comes to learning CPR, there are many options for you.

You can take a class, watch a video and read a book. You can also take an online course. While these are all great options, they each have their pros and cons.

For example, if you take a class in person, it’s important to make sure the instructor is certified and up-to-date with the latest medical guidelines.

  1. Online courses

Also, if you’re interested in becoming certified in more than one type of CPR certification (such as both ACLS and BLS), then taking an online course could save you time and money compared to taking two separate courses in person at different locations.

If you choose an online course, you’ll learn everything you need to know about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). The courses are self-paced so you can learn at your own pace — even while working or traveling! And they’re affordable too!

  1. In-person course

You can also take an in-person class at a hospital or medical facility. This is a good option if you prefer a more hands-on experience with the material or if you want to get more out of your learning experience.

A classroom-based course at your local hospital or community college is a cheaper option than paying for an online course but requires more commitment since you’ll have to attend classes regularly throughout.

  1. Book study programs

A book study program is another option for learning ACLS. This is a book that contains all of the information you need to know in order to pass the exam. Some programs come with videos and other teaching materials, but they are not required in order to pass the test.

These programs allow you to study on your own time and at your own pace. It’s an excellent option if you’re busy or have a hectic schedule and can’t make it into class very often. These programs are also great for students who want a low cost option for completing their education requirements.

  1. Blended course

Finally, you can opt for an instructor-led course that combines both in-person lectures and online resources.

If you’re looking for a more hands-on approach, look for programs that offer blended learning. Blended learning means that you’ll learn some of the material in a traditional classroom setting and some of it online.

Last Words on ACLS vs BLS

CPR is not often thought about until those around us are faced with the possibility of using it. It’s a skill you wish you never have to use, but having it could save a life and may even bring someone back from the brink of death or serious injury.

If you’re ready to get started on your health education and become certified in CPR and first aid, we hope this helps clarify the differences between ACLS and BLS as well as which one may be better for you.