This course is aimed at Healthcare professional including Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics and Emergency Service Officers. The course provides the candidate with the skills and knowledge to manage the patient in the immediate period of crisis. It includes the recognition, assessment and immediate management of the deteriorating patient. 

Advanced Life Support Level 1

A one-day course aimed at providing the candidate with the skills and knowledge to manage the patient in the immediate period of crisis. It includes the recognition, assessment and immediate management of the deteriorating patient. Candidates are sent a manual at least two weeks prior to the course to commence preparation for the face-to-face component. This includes those skills for dealing with a cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies in a clinical setting. Included in the course is:

• Recognition, assessment and management of the critically ill patient using a structured ABCDE approach (aiming to prevent cardiac arrest)

• Airway management skills

• Basic Life Support

• Defibrillation skills (Manual and/or AED modes)

• Cardiac arrest management using the ARC ALS Algorithm

• Work as an effective team member in a cardiac arrest

The course can also deliver targeted training needs in a session specific to the candidate group or organisational requirements. It is ideal for those in healthcare with limited or infrequent exposure to crisis events needing advanced life support training.

Advanced Life Support Level 2 

This is a two-day (or modular) course with the focus on the developing advanced skills in managing deteriorating patient and cardiac arrest. The course is designed for healthcare professionals with who would be expected to apply those skills taught as part of their clinical duties, or to teach them on a regular basis. Appropriate participants include doctors, paramedics and nurses working in critical care areas (e.g. ED, CCU, ICU, HDU, acute admissions units) or in the resuscitation /medical emergency team, and paramedics.

Medical students, nurses and other healthcare providers not covered in the groups above may be encouraged to complete the ALS1 course. Those with a particular interest in resuscitation should then consider attending an ALS2 course, where appropriate.

The course is very intensive and candidates are sent the ALS2 manual one month prior to the course. Candidates are required to complete a pre-course multiple choice question paper to guide preparation.

Prior skills and competence in CPR is an essential prerequisite to attending the course. While the course covers advanced resuscitation skills it is also designed to develop leadership and team skills in managing such emergencies.

The ALS course teaches the knowledge and skills required to:

• Recognition, assessment and management of the deteriorating patient using a structured ABCDE approach (aiming to prevent cardiac arrest)

• Treat cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, including manual defibrillation

• Management of life-threatening arrhythmias

• Preparing and planning for post resuscitation care

• Care for the deteriorating patient or patient in cardiac and/or respiratory arrest in special circumstances such as asthma, anaphylaxis, and pregnancy

• Lead a team, work as a team member, and use structured communication skills including giving an effective handover

• Consideration for end of life decision making