CPR, BLS & ACLS AHA Training: What's the Difference and Which Course Do You Need?
Whether you are a professional paramedic renewing your credentials, a nursing student preparing for your first clinical rotation or someone completely new to the healthcare field, having the right CPR training is a must. You might have heard about the AHA BLS and ACLS Training. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they represent very different levels of training, and choosing the wrong course could mean your certification isn’t accepted by your employer or licensing board.
The American Heart Association (AHA) is known for setting the standard for quality resuscitation training worldwide. They deliver courses like First Aid CPR, BLS & ACLS that build people into first responders during any emergency. Each course builds on the last one, enabling healthcare providers to upskill themselves and be better prepared when someone’s life is on the line.
In this guide, we will break down each course, helping you understand what it covers, who it is designed for, and which certification would be ideal for your role, so that you make the right choice.
AHA Training Overview
AHA stands for American Heart Association, a leader and standard setter in resuscitation science, training, and education. Founded in the 19th century, AHA has been at the forefront of emergency care and cardiovascular research for over a century. Today, there are thousands of AHA training centres around the world that deliver AHA-authorised programs and courses, ensuring that healthcare professionals, students, and community responders have access to quality standardised training no matter where they are located. Furthermore, each of these courses is designed in compliance with the official Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC), which are updated periodically depending on the latest resuscitation science.
What is CPR Training?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a skill that helps sustain blood circulation and breathing in a person who is experiencing cardiac arrest until medical help arrives. It involves chest compressions that keep oxygen flowing to the vital organs of the body. AHA’s CPR training, also known as the Heartsaver – CPR AED and Heartsaver First Aid CRP AED, is designed to be accessible to everyone. These training programs are not built for healthcare professionals alone, but rather for each and every individual who may or may not have any medical background but wishes to learn CPR.
What does it cover?
The course mainly covers basic life-saving techniques and skills such as:
- Hands-on CPR, which includes chest compressions and rescue breaths.
- Ways to identify signs of cardiac arrest.
- How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Techniques like choking relief for adults, children, and infants.
The course duration is generally four hours, and the certification validity is two years. However, it is important to note that this CPR training is designed for the general public and cannot be considered as a substitute for BLS or ACLS certification.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Training
Basic Life Support (BLS) training is the next level of AHA training, designed mainly for healthcare professionals and students in the medical field. While the course builds on the skills taught in the CPR training, it goes a step further and prepares providers to respond to cardiac and respiratory emergencies in a clinical or emergency setting. The BLS certification is considered a baseline requirement for nursing professionals, paramedics, physicians, and others in the medical field.
What does it cover?
The BLS course covers a range of advanced life-saving skills, including:
- Adult, children, and infant CPR
- How to use an AED in a clinical setting
- Ways to identify and manage critical emergencies
- Team-based resuscitation
- Pulse checks and clinical decision making
It is generally a full-day course, providing hands-on sessions and training that allow participants to practice and demonstrate their skills in real time. The certification is valid for two years, after which individuals are expected to complete a renewal course to maintain their active status.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Training
The Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is the highest level of doctor CPR training in the AHA curriculum. The course is specially designed for healthcare professionals who are involved in handling cases of cardiac arrest, stroke, and cardiopulmonary emergencies. It is ideal for emergency room physicians, paramedics, anesthesiologists, and professionals who lead or participate in advanced resuscitation response.
What does it cover?
Apart from the basic CPR techniques and drills, the ACLS training program covers a wide range of clinical skills, including:
- Advanced airway management techniques
- Essential medication administration during cardiac arrest
- Handling stroke, acute coronary syndrome, bradycardia, and tachycardia
- ECG interpretation
- Post-cardiac-arrest care
The ACLS course is typically a two-day program that combines cognitive learning and hands-on sessions to ensure complete competency in managing life-threatening situations.
Final Thoughts - Choosing the Right Course
At the end, choosing the right course comes down to a single question – What is your role?
As someone who has no medical background or has no relation to the medical industry but wishes to learn CPR and life-saving skills, choosing the Heartsaver courses is the best decision. On the other hand, if you’re entering the healthcare profession or are currently working in one, a BLS course is your baseline requirement. Lastly, for professionals involved in managing complex cardiac emergencies or leading a resuscitation team, ACLS is the certification you need.
FAQ’s
- Are CPR and BLS the same thing?
No, CPR is a life-saving procedure that helps sustain blood circulation and breathing in a person who is experiencing cardiac arrest, while BLS is a training program designed for healthcare professionals and teaches CPR and other essential life-saving skills surrounding it.
- Can the BLS and ACLS training be completed online?
Yes, while there are certain training centres that do provide the BLS and ACLS training online, most hospitals and credentialing bodies require a blended format or a completely offline completion of the course.
- How long are the AHA certifications valid for?
Most AHA certifications are valid for two years, after which a renewal course needs to be completed to maintain an active certification status.
