You may have noticed that the two terms CPR and BLS (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Basic Life Support) are used interchangeably in the medical field. But is there a difference between them?

Absolutely. CPR and BLS are not the same things. Even though the two are closely related and have several similarities, there are prominent differences that can be used to distinguish between them. We’re here to help you understand better with the help of this article.

CPR and BLS: what does basic life support training cover

Basic Life Support is the course that is an umbrella under which CPR can be categorized. In this course, the students learn the following:

1. How to use an Automatic External Defibrillator
2. How to use bag-mask apparatus to aid ventilation
3. How to carry out complete rescue breathing techniques
4. Clearing a patient’s airway blocked due to choking
5. Work as a comprehensive team to provide immediate assistance

What does CPR certification course cover

At times, CPR courses consist of topics that BLS training does not touch, such as:

1. First aid treatment
2. Basic use of AED
3. Blood Pathogens
4. BLS Vs CPR Clarified

To put it simply, BLS covers a lot more ground than CPR certification classes. Another notable difference is that BLS is more successful when performed in a team, within the confines of a hospital since there is advanced medical equipment with the latest technology available to use. If an infant from the maternity ward stops breathing or chokes, a BLS is a must since the process of revival would require technical and sterile medical tools.

CPR, however, can be performed by an individual. For example, if you saw a person seizing at a park, the first step you’d think of is calling 911 and then performing a CPR if they collapse. At such times, only your presence of mind, knowledge of resuscitation and bare hands come into use to revive the individual.

Certification prerequisites needed in the healthcare field

If you’re planning to apply for a job in the medical field, you’re required to have a BLS training certification. It is considered an advanced form of CPR training and certification and is mandatory in most of the private or public medical institutions for courses like:

1. Board-certified doctors
2. EMTs
3. Lifeguards
4. Nurses
5. Pharmacists

CPR and BLS: examples

At the hospital, BLS covers a standard procedure to perform life-saving techniques based on the person needing the aid. The procedures are different in infants, children, adolescents and adults.

A CPR course teaches people how to perform chest compressions when someone is going under a cardiac arrest at any given place. The chest compressions in a systematic rhythm are used to pace the heart’s normal rhythm to pump blood through all the vital organs non-stop until the EMT arrives and uses a defibrillator to revive the heart.

Conclusion

BLS is an advanced hybrid of the CPR technique that involves the use of hospital equipment. CPR is, however, performed according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association.