What does the term advanced life support (ALS) refer to?

Advanced life support (ALS) refers to a set of advanced lifesaving procedures and interventions that can be performed by trained medical personnel, typically in emergency situations. This includes a range of interventions such as advanced airway management (e.g., intubation), intravenous medication administration, and cardiac monitoring, among others. ALS is often used in cases where basic life support measures—such as CPR, oxygen administration, and basic wound management—are insufficient to stabilize a patient's condition or address more complex medical emergencies.

Understanding this definition is crucial for EMTs, as it highlights the necessity of higher-level interventions in critical situations and distinguishes these from basic first aid or fundamental life support techniques. The focus of ALS is on providing extensive medical care to critically ill or injured patients, requiring both knowledge and skills beyond standard first aid or basic emergency care practices.