BLS vs CPR- What’s the Difference?

Do you think CPR and BLS are the same? Many people think so. These two terms are often used interchangeably and lead to a lot of confusion. Both CPR and BLS are critical skills that can save lives in emergency situations. However, they cover different levels of training and application.

You might be eager to know the true differences between CPR and BLS and how these certifications vary in terms of techniques, scope, and target audience. Are you curious yet? You will discover it soon!

In this blog, we’ll take an in-depth look at both CPR and BLS. We’ll explore what each certification means, the specific skills you will learn, and the contexts in which they are most effectively applied. By delving into the core aspects of these life-saving techniques, we’ll help you decide which certification is right for you according to your profession and several other key factors.

Stay with us as we unravel the essential details of CPR and BLS. Is BLS and CPR the same? Let’s find out!

What is CPR?

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is an emergency procedure performed when a person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It is provided when a person is suffering from cardiac emergencies like cardiac arrest, drowning, choking, and other respiratory distress. CPR involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs until professional medical help arrives. CPR aims to keep the brain and other organs alive until the heart can be restarted or until advanced medical care and medical procedures can be provided.

Let’s Understand BLS

BLS, or Basic Life Support, is a much broader term. BLS includes various emergency medical techniques and skills to sustain life during medical emergencies. BLS includes CPR but also extends to other critical interventions such as managing choking, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), assessing and stabilizing patients, airway management, and coordinating with emergency medical services. BLS training is often provided to healthcare professionals, first responders, and individuals in professions where knowledge of basic emergency care is essential.

Most People’s Confusion: Are BLS and CPR the Same?

You might have already gotten an idea of whether they are the same. To be fair, CPR and BLS are often confused, but they are not the same, though they are closely related. CPR is a critical component of BLS. CPR refers to the specific technique of chest compressions and rescue breaths used to save lives during cardiac arrest. In contrast, BLS refers to a broader set of life-saving techniques that include CPR and other essential emergency interventions. Anyone can learn and perform CPR, but BLS is for professional healthcare providers and first responders.

Related post: 10 Reasons to Get Your BLS Certification Online

What’s the Difference between BLS and CPR?

So, what’s the difference between BLS and CPR? When it comes to emergency medical training, understanding the differences between BL and CPR is essential. While both certifications help individuals with life-saving skills, they serve different purposes and audiences.

Here are the key differences between BLS and CPR to help you determine which certification best suits your needs and professional requirements.

• CPR is a life-saving technique that specifically involves chest compressions and rescue breaths during cardiac arrest, whereas BLS covers a broader range of emergency medical techniques, such as AED use, airway management, CPR, and others.
• CPR is a basic life-saving skill for laypersons, but BLS is a comprehensive program for healthcare professionals.
• CPR training can typically be completed in a short span of time, while BLS training requires a longer period due to its more comprehensive curriculum and advanced techniques.
• Non-healthcare professionals and healthcare professionals can acquire CPR certification, whereas BLS certifications is designed for professional healthcare providers.
• The purpose of CPR is to provide an immediate response to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation. In contrast, the main purpose of BLS is to offer comprehensive emergency care. This includes airway clearance, circulation checks, and assessing the patient’s condition, along with using tools like AEDs, to stabilize patients until advanced medical help arrives.
• CPR includes basic training focusing on chest compressions and rescue breaths. In contrast, BLS is more extensive training that includes CPR, the use of AEDs, defibrillation, choking management, patient assessment, and airway management.
• In terms of cost, CPR classes generally cost less. However, BLS courses costs are higher due to its more comprehensive training and certification requirements.

Application of BLS and CPR Certification

We have understood that BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is for healthcare professionals and teaches how to handle serious emergencies, including using AEDs and keeping airways open, often as part of a team. On the other hand, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification is for anyone who wants to learn how to help in emergencies, focusing on lifesaving techniques for cardiac arrest. While BLS is more detailed and meant for medical settings, CPR is important for everyone to be ready to assist in a crisis, making both certifications valuable for emergency situations.

Which Certification Should I Get?

Choosing between CPR and BLS certification depends on your specific needs and professional requirements. CPR certification is ideal for the general public, including teachers, babysitters, Fitness Trainers, Corporate Workers, Restaurant Employees, Coaches, Parents, and workplace responders. Why? Because these people often work in environments where physical activity, stress, or interactions with the public are common, and there is an increasing likelihood of encountering situations where cardiac emergencies may occur.

On the other hand, BLS certification is designed for healthcare providers, medical personnel, first responders, and others in professions where encountering a variety of medical emergencies is likely. It’s much more advanced training than CPR. So, if you are a healthcare professional in a related field, then a BLS certification is essential to you. BLS certification not only proves you can conduct a necessary cardiac intervention, but it is also a mandatory qualification asked by most healthcare institutions.

So, we come down to this:

Get CPR Certification if you are a layperson looking to be prepared for basic emergencies, like cardiac arrest in everyday situations.

Get BLS Certification if you are a healthcare provider, first responder, or someone who needs comprehensive training to handle a variety of medical emergencies in a professional or clinical setting.

Related Post: How Long Does A CPR Class Take?

Enroll for BLS or CPR Certification Classes with Heart Start CPR in San Francisco

In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when comparing CPR vs BLS certification. While both certifications provide life-saving skills, they are quite different in terms of techniques and application. If you’re a healthcare professional or first responder or work in the healthcare field, BLS certification is essential. Conversely, if you’re a member of the general public seeking basic life-saving skills, CPR certification will be a better option for you. Regardless of your choice, enrolling in certification classes will help you respond effectively to emergencies. You can join Heart Start CPR in San Francisco to receive quality CPR training and BLS certification, including our blended learning options that combine online and in-person instruction for maximum flexibility. We offer both classroom and online courses at your convenience. So, whether it’s BLS or CPR, take the proactive step to become a certified responder. Act now and book your class to ensure you’re prepared to save lives!

FAQs

Do healthcare providers need both BLS and CPR certification?

Healthcare providers usually need BLS certification, which includes CPR training. While having prior CPR knowledge can help, BLS is often required to ensure providers can handle emergencies effectively. It’s not common to need both certifications separately, as BLS covers CPR.

What skills are included in BLS training that are not part of CPR training?

BLS training includes advanced techniques like using an AED, recognizing and managing respiratory emergencies, and providing effective ventilation techniques, which are not covered in basic CPR training.

Is there a difference in the audience for BLS certification and CPR certification?

Yes, BLS certification is aimed at healthcare professionals and first responders, while CPR certification is often designed for laypersons and general public training.

What situations require BLS instead of CPR?

BLS is required in more complex emergencies, such as cardiac arrest or respiratory distress, where additional skills like using an AED and providing rescue breaths are necessary. CPR alone may be sufficient for basic life-saving efforts.