EMT basics work in a variety of environments and locations from hospitals ERs and ambulance companies, to fire departments, casinos and sports arenas. The nature of emergency care is very dynamic with unexpected event occurring all the time. Among the numerous types of emergencies are pediatric emergencies. Unintentional emergencies are the leading cause of death in children and for this reason the EMS professional whether advanced or basic should be prepared. Pediatric advanced life support is a course that can be useful in prepare EMT basic for assisting with pediatric emergencies. EMT basics are often found among advanced providers and assist with life saving effort. Without EMT basic, EMS falls apart. The more well trained EMT basic available the better.

The PALS course is not recommended for new EMT’s but rather the exprienced EMT basic who works with or around advanced providers. New EMT’s would find PALS very difficult and would be expected to be overwhelmed. I would recommend that experienced EMT’s considering taking the PALS course complete an ACLS course first. The ACLS course covers basic ECG interpretation and electrical therapies, something that is necessary to understand prior to taking PALS. In addition the understanding of IV therapies and ACLS pharmacology will also prepare the EMT basic for the PALS course. ACLS can be a challeneging course in itself. However, taking a PALS course without understanding the components of advanced life support in the first place will make taking pals kind of like taking a class in a foreign language….one which you don’t really understand.

If the EMT basic wants a better understanding of advanced life support in general, start with getting some experience (which should be defined as working with advanced providers), take the ACLS provider initial course, and then tackle the PALS course. As a EMT basic you will be so much more sharper with your assessments and understanding of critical patients, both adult and pediatric. Even though there is much to ACLS and PALS that an EMT basic cannot do, understanding what is going on will make you much more useful as a part of the health care team as well as help with advancing your career should you decide to become a paramedic or nurse and work in emergency care .