ACLS & ATLS Course

Lesson 1 • Primary Survey Principles

Introduces the ABCDE assessment framework used in both protocols. Provides the structural backbone for all patient evaluations taught later.

Lesson 2 • Team Dynamics and Communication

Covers closed-loop communication, role clarity, and leadership in resuscitation teams. Effective teamwork directly reduces errors during high-stakes interventions.

Lesson 3 • ACLS and ATLS Overview

Defines scope, goals, and evidence base of both protocols. Anchors the chapter by showing how each system addresses distinct but overlapping emergencies.

Lesson 1 • Airway Anatomy and Physiology

Reviews upper and lower airway structures relevant to emergency management. Anatomical knowledge directly informs device selection and technique choice.

Lesson 2 • Basic Airway Adjuncts

Covers oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, bag-mask ventilation, and positioning. These non-invasive tools are the first-line response before advanced airway placement.

Lesson 3 • Surgical Airway and Difficult Airway Algorithm

Addresses cricothyrotomy and the failed-airway decision tree. Learners apply a systematic algorithm when conventional airway methods are unsuccessful.

Lesson 4 • Endotracheal Intubation

Provides step-by-step direct and video laryngoscopy technique with confirmation methods. Intubation is the definitive airway in most ACLS and ATLS scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Shockable Rhythms

Identifies ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia with treatment priorities. These rhythms require immediate defibrillation to restore perfusion.

Lesson 2 • Tachyarrhythmias

Classifies narrow and wide complex tachycardias and applies the stable versus unstable decision tree. Rhythm origin and hemodynamic status drive the cardioversion versus pharmacology choice.

Lesson 3 • Bradyarrhythmias and Heart Blocks

Distinguishes sinus bradycardia, junctional rhythms, and first through third-degree blocks. Correct classification determines whether pacing or pharmacology is indicated.

Lesson 4 • Non-Shockable Arrest Rhythms

Covers pulseless electrical activity and asystole identification and management. Reversible causes must be identified rapidly to improve survival outcomes.

Lesson 1 • High-Quality CPR Mechanics

Specifies compression rate, depth, recoil, and interruption limits based on current guidelines. Mechanical precision is the single greatest modifiable factor in cardiac arrest survival.

Lesson 2 • Resuscitation Pharmacology

Covers epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine, and vasopressin dosing and timing during arrest. Drug administration must be synchronized with CPR cycles for maximum efficacy.

Lesson 3 • Defibrillation Integration

Coordinates CPR pauses with shock delivery to minimize peri-shock interruptions. Seamless defibrillation integration preserves coronary perfusion pressure during resuscitation.

Lesson 4 • Return of Spontaneous Circulation Care

Addresses immediate post-ROSC priorities including hemodynamic stabilization and targeted temperature management. Post-cardiac arrest care significantly influences neurological recovery.

Lesson 1 • ACS Complications and Monitoring

Identifies mechanical, electrical, and hemodynamic complications following myocardial infarction. Continuous monitoring enables early detection and intervention for life-threatening events.

Lesson 2 • STEMI Identification and Activation

Teaches ST-elevation criteria, equivalent patterns, and system activation for reperfusion. Door-to-balloon time targets depend on rapid and accurate STEMI identification.

Lesson 3 • ACS Pathophysiology and Recognition

Explains plaque rupture, thrombus formation, and ischemic cascade underlying ACS. Early recognition of symptoms and ECG changes drives the entire treatment timeline.

Lesson 4 • NSTEMI and Unstable Angina Treatment

Covers risk stratification tools, antiplatelet therapy, and anticoagulation for non-ST-elevation ACS. Risk score application guides the urgency and type of invasive strategy.

Lesson 1 • Hemorrhagic Stroke and Hypertensive Crisis

Addresses intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage management and blood pressure control. Aggressive pressure reduction and reversal of coagulopathy limit hematoma expansion.

Lesson 2 • Stroke Pathophysiology and Types

Distinguishes ischemic, hemorrhagic, and TIA presentations with underlying mechanisms. Accurate type identification is essential before any pharmacological intervention is initiated.

Lesson 3 • Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment

Covers IV alteplase eligibility, dosing, and contraindications within the treatment window. Mechanical thrombectomy criteria are evaluated alongside thrombolytic therapy decisions.

Lesson 4 • Rapid Stroke Recognition Tools

Teaches validated prehospital and in-hospital stroke scales for rapid identification. Faster recognition directly shortens time to imaging and reperfusion therapy.

Lesson 1 • Damage Control Resuscitation

Applies balanced blood product ratios, tranexamic acid, and avoidance of crystalloid overload. Damage control resuscitation targets the lethal triad of coagulopathy, acidosis, and hypothermia.

Lesson 2 • Hemorrhage Control Techniques

Teaches direct pressure, tourniquet application, wound packing, and junctional hemorrhage control. Stopping external bleeding is the highest priority intervention in trauma care.

Lesson 3 • Hemorrhagic Shock Classification

Classifies shock into four classes based on vital signs, mental status, and estimated blood loss. Class identification guides fluid resuscitation volume and blood product decisions.

Lesson 4 • ATLS Primary Survey in Trauma

Executes the ABCDE trauma primary survey with simultaneous resuscitation. Systematic assessment prevents missed injuries that cause preventable death.

Lesson 1 • Toxicological Emergencies

Identifies toxidromes and applies antidote therapy and modified resuscitation for poisoning. Prolonged resuscitation may be warranted in toxicological arrest due to reversible etiology.

Lesson 2 • Resuscitation in Pregnancy

Modifies CPR technique, drug use, and defibrillation for the pregnant patient. Perimortem cesarean delivery timing is a critical decision that affects both maternal and fetal survival.

Lesson 3 • Anaphylaxis and Obstructive Shock

Treats anaphylaxis, tension pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade as obstructive and distributive emergencies. Rapid cause-specific intervention is the only effective treatment for these conditions.

Lesson 4 • Environmental and Hypothermic Arrest

Manages drowning, hypothermia, lightning strike, and heat stroke with protocol modifications. Core temperature guides resuscitation duration and rewarming strategy selection.