What's The Difference Between CPR and BLS?

Just like "math" is a very general term for many diversified subjects including Algebra, Geometry, and Trig, "CPR" is a general term for life-saving techniques including chest compressions and rescue breathing.  What does differ, is which specific class is required by different fields of work or as a prerequisite for certain college classes.  

"Heartsaver" classes are, in general, for lay rescuers.  These classes have mix and match modules and can be as simple as CPR/AED instruction only or may include First Aid as well.  They can be further personalized because some groups need Pediatric (Child and Infant) training, others wish to focus on Adult training (usually in the workplace), and still others want to cover it all.  There is even Heartsaver training specifically for K-12 educational facilities that provides a slightly less expensive certification card in an effort to help struggling schools keep their teachers and staff trained.  Our classes are intended to cover Adult, Child, and Infant procedures and we only leave out modules when a customer or employer specifically asks us not to include it; in those cases, the certification card is marked as such to indicate that the participant isn't certified in some of the modules and specifies which.  Heartsaver also offers add-on classes such as Bloodborne Pathogens for those that need that as well.  Those that typically need Heartsaver level training are lifeguards, childcare workers, oilfield and construction personnel, personal trainers, etc.

Far more common is "BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider".  This, too, is CPR (remember the math vs algebra above?)...but at a much more advanced level.  At this level, participants check pulses, usually have access to bag masks or other barrier devices, must practice as a member of a team, and have to take a written test.  This class is what is needed by all medical personnel or those pursuing a medical education such as those in nursing school, an EMT or paramedic program, and medical residencies.  This is also the minimum basic level of certification that those in the medical field such as nurses, physicians, CNAs, dental hygienists, and a host of other "healthcare providers" who must remain certified throughout their careers.  AHA certifications are valid for two years, so we see this group over and over through the years for recertification.  Because this is by far the most popular class we teach, we offer many options each week and dozens every month which are open to the general public.  Unfortunately, many of the colleges that offer nursing and EMS programs aren't intimately familiar with AHA terminology...so often the students beginning these programs are simply told to take "a CPR and AED class".  The resulting confusion sometimes means that they sign up for the lower-level Heartsaver class "because it looks closer to what their paperwork says".  We have instituted many safeguards to attempt to help those unfamiliar with this terminology "gap" by asking any customer signing up for Heartsaver-level classes, at a minimum, what they do for a living and whether they are in a nursing or EMS program in college.  We don't want anyone to waste valuable time or money on a class that won't be acceptable for their needs, so everyone from those answering the phones and email to the instructor who greets participants when they arrive for class works very hard and spend a lot of extra time trying to be pro-active and keeping that from happening to any of our customers.  

These aren't the only AHA classes, but they are the ones that are responsible for the most confusion.  ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) are very advanced classes for a subset of the healthcare professionals group.  They are, in essence, learning about codes...just like you see on ER or other medical scenes.  We teach those as well and pride ourselves on making a very difficult topic much easier to comprehend.  

Whether you're just beginning nursing school and taking your first class or have taken many disciplines and recertified many times over the years, Heartland CPR is here to help!

#heartsaver #bls #smallbusiness #cpr #aha

- Ginger Davis
Heartland CPR, llc
405-603-6666
www.HeartlandCPR.com