What is CPR?
CPR, also called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a valuable lifesaving technique used for emergency situations when a patient has lost consciousness and stopped breathing, or as a weak pulse. Heart attack, stroke, and drowning are situations when CPR is used to resuscitate a victim or to keep them alive enough until an AED becomes available, usually provided by a first responder. Any layperson, babysitter, personal trainer, security guards, etc should be trained in CPR as you will never know when the situation warrants it.
What is the difference between CPR and ACLS?
While BLS is often required for medical professionals, BLS / CPR courses are commonly completed by teachers, coaches, lifeguards, babysitters, and more. Conversely, ACLS is designed specifically for healthcare professionals. This includes physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists, paramedics, dentists and more.
Basic Life Support CPR
This type of certification is required for healthcare workers such as nurses, doctors, paramedics, and first responders. The difference between BLS and CPR is that the BLS class is an advanced CPR AED course. BLS is an abbreviation for Basic Life Support. The BLS CPR AED is a healthcare level CPR. The American Heart Association certification for healthcare providers is titled BLS Provider.
Do I need both BLS and ACLS?
Well, it depends. BLS is not included in AHA’s ACLS courses. However, it is required that healthcare workers have their BLS in order to get their ACLS certification. The types of healthcare workers that are required to have both BLS and ACLS are doctors, nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Healthcare providers require their workers to be proficient in BLS skills prior to getting the ACLS certification.
Some Words of Caution
There are many companies out their offering CPR certification online for really cheap prices. However, many of those programs are not certified and accredited by the American Heart Association or Red Cross. Another problem is that they are not offering in-person skills session that is required by an accredited American Heart Association or Red Cross in order to get your card.
If your BLS and ACLS certification card does not say the American Heart Association or Red Cross on it, then it is NOT an accredited certification and it will not be accepted by your employer. In order to be employed in the healthcare field, your certification MUST be from an accredited American Heart Association or Red Cross provider. This is a requirement.
Dr. Jay Hershman as seen way too many students who have spent $20 for their BLS or ACLS certification only to find out that their card is not accepted by their employer. He actually had a student come to him saying that her card was not being accepted by her employer. He took a look at the card and noticed that it was not accredited by the American Heart Association or Red Cross. So these companies basically are just ripping off people and taking their money. DO NOT fall for this type of scam! Make sure that your provider is accredited with the American Heart Association or Red Cross.