Which level of EMS provider is trained to perform advanced life support measures?

The paramedic level of EMS provider is the only one specifically trained to perform advanced life support (ALS) measures. This includes a wide range of advanced interventions such as administering medications, performing endotracheal intubation, monitoring cardiac rhythms, and using advanced airway management techniques. Paramedics receive extensive training that covers not just medical emergencies but also trauma, pediatric care, and obstetric emergencies, enabling them to handle critical situations that require a higher level of skill and medical knowledge.

In contrast, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level typically focuses on basic life support (BLS) measures, which includes CPR, use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and basic airway management but does not include the advanced procedures that paramedics perform. The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) also provides some advanced interventions, such as limited medication administration, but does not have the comprehensive training or scope of practice that paramedics do. The First Responder level provides initial emergency care but is limited to the most basic skills and does not include advanced life support capabilities.