What is the difference between ILS and ALS?
ILS (Intermediate Life Support) providers [AEMT-I] are certified Emergency Medical Technicians with the added ability to perform advanced airway management (e.g., endotracheal intubation), cardiac rhythm recognition, manual defibrillation and IV fluid therapy. ILS providers also typically have additional training in patient assessment, trauma management and pediatrics. ALS (Advanced Life Support) providers [AEMT-P] are typically referred to as paramedics. Besides being able to perform all the skills of an ILS provider, paramedics can also perform more advanced airway management procedures (e.g., needle cricothyrotomy and jet ventilation), chest decompression, cardiac pacing and drug administration. Additionally, paramedics receive extensive training in patient assessment, trauma management, cardiac rhythm recognition and treatment and pediatrics. Finally, New York State also recognizes “Critical Care” providers [AEMT-CC] as ALS providers. However, training for CC’s lies somewhere in be
