BLS ACLS Course

Lesson 1 • The Chain of Survival

Introduces the sequential links from recognition to post-arrest care. Demonstrates how each link's speed directly affects survival rates.

Lesson 2 • Scene Safety and Initial Assessment

Teaches systematic scene evaluation before patient contact. Ensures learners protect themselves and bystanders while activating emergency response.

Lesson 3 • Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology

Covers heart structure, conduction pathways, and coronary circulation. Provides the anatomical context needed to understand arrest mechanisms.

Lesson 1 • CPR Feedback and Quality Metrics

Introduces real-time feedback devices and performance metrics used to audit CPR quality. Learners interpret feedback data to self-correct technique during practice.

Lesson 2 • Two-Rescuer CPR Coordination

Trains role assignment, switch timing, and communication between two rescuers. Coordinated two-rescuer CPR reduces fatigue and maintains compression quality.

Lesson 3 • Rescue Breathing and Ventilation

Covers head-tilt chin-lift, jaw thrust, and mask seal for effective ventilation. Proper technique prevents gastric inflation and ensures adequate tidal volume.

Lesson 4 • Pediatric and Infant CPR Adaptations

Addresses anatomical differences requiring modified compression depth and ventilation volume for children and infants. Builds on adult technique with age-specific adjustments.

Lesson 1 • Basic Airway Maneuvers

Teaches manual techniques to relieve obstruction in conscious and unconscious patients. Forms the foundation before any adjunct device is introduced.

Lesson 2 • Supraglottic Airway Devices

Introduces laryngeal mask airways and similar supraglottic devices as CPR airway alternatives. Learners insert and confirm placement without interrupting compressions.

Lesson 3 • Difficult Airway Recognition and Response

Trains identification of anatomical and situational predictors of difficult intubation. Learners apply a structured backup plan when primary airway attempts fail.

Lesson 4 • Endotracheal Intubation Overview

Provides an ACLS-level introduction to laryngoscopy, tube placement, and confirmation. Emphasizes minimizing CPR interruption during intubation attempts.

Lesson 1 • Special Defibrillation Situations

Addresses pad placement modifications for implanted devices, wet patients, and medication patches. Ensures safe and effective defibrillation in non-standard scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Integrating AED into CPR Sequence

Trains seamless transition between CPR and AED use to minimize no-flow time. Learners practice the full arrest sequence with AED as a team.

Lesson 3 • AED Device Operation

Covers power-on, pad placement, rhythm analysis, and shock delivery steps. Standardized operation applies across major AED models encountered in the field.

Lesson 1 • Shockable Arrest Rhythms

Covers VF and pulseless VT morphology and immediate defibrillation indication. Rapid recognition of these rhythms is the highest-priority skill in ACLS.

Lesson 2 • Bradyarrhythmias

Identifies sinus bradycardia, heart blocks, and junctional rhythms with hemodynamic significance. Learners apply the symptomatic bradycardia algorithm.

Lesson 3 • Tachyarrhythmias

Covers narrow- and wide-complex tachycardias including SVT, AF, and VT with pulse. Learners apply the stable versus unstable tachycardia algorithm.

Lesson 4 • ECG Basics and Lead Placement

Explains waveform components, intervals, and standard lead positions. Accurate lead placement is prerequisite to reliable rhythm interpretation.

Lesson 1 • Drugs for Acute Coronary Syndromes

Covers aspirin, nitroglycerin, anticoagulants, and fibrinolytics in ACS management. Learners apply contraindication screening before each agent is given.

Lesson 2 • Medication Delivery Routes

Compares IV, IO, and endotracheal routes for drug delivery during resuscitation. Learners prioritize vascular access and adjust doses for alternate routes.

Lesson 3 • Antiarrhythmic Agents

Covers amiodarone and lidocaine for shock-refractory VF and pulseless VT. Learners compare indications, doses, and adverse effects of each agent.

Lesson 4 • Vasopressors in Cardiac Arrest

Explains epinephrine's alpha and beta effects and its role in arrest algorithms. Correct timing relative to CPR cycles and shock delivery is emphasized.

Lesson 1 • Bradycardia Algorithm Application

Applies the symptomatic bradycardia algorithm from assessment through pacing. Learners distinguish adequate from inadequate perfusion to guide intervention.

Lesson 2 • Stroke Algorithm and Recognition

Introduces the acute stroke algorithm including rapid assessment tools and time targets. Learners apply the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale and alert the stroke team.

Lesson 3 • Cardiac Arrest Algorithm Execution

Walks through the universal cardiac arrest algorithm for shockable and non-shockable rhythms. Learners apply two-minute CPR cycles, drug timing, and rhythm checks.

Lesson 4 • Acute Coronary Syndrome Algorithm

Covers the ACS algorithm from symptom onset through reperfusion decision. Learners apply the STEMI versus NSTEMI pathway and time-sensitive interventions.

Lesson 5 • Tachycardia Algorithm Application

Applies stable and unstable tachycardia algorithms including cardioversion and vagal maneuvers. Learners select energy levels and sedation for synchronized cardioversion.

Lesson 1 • Targeted Temperature Management

Explains the neuroprotective rationale and protocol for targeted temperature management. Learners apply cooling initiation, maintenance, and rewarming phases.

Lesson 2 • Return of Spontaneous Circulation Management

Covers immediate priorities after ROSC including oxygenation, blood pressure, and 12-lead ECG. Early stabilization prevents re-arrest and secondary organ injury.

Lesson 3 • Hemodynamic Optimization Post-Arrest

Addresses vasopressor selection, fluid resuscitation, and coronary angiography timing. Hemodynamic stability reduces secondary myocardial and cerebral injury.

Lesson 4 • Neurological Prognostication

Introduces multimodal prognostication tools used after cardiac arrest. Learners understand the timing and limitations of each assessment method.