A: PALS stands for Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and the class teaches students how to care for seriously ill or injured children and infants.
A: The PALS course is designed for healthcare professionals who provide care to children and infants in emergencies. These personnel include first responders, emergency medicine providers, physicians, nurses, paramedics and others.
A: The PALS course includes case scenarios, videos, skills practice, and testing. It is classroom-based, and training includes manikins for practice.
A: The initial course is approximately 12 hours, including breaks and lunch. Our PALS renewal class runs approximately 6 hours.
A: Yes, all students who successfully complete all sections of the PALS course receive a course completion card that is valid for 2 years.
A: Students should have already mastered infant and child BLS skills, and should also be able to recognize various heart rhythms, know the different types of airway management tools, and understand the different drugs commonly used to treat cardiovascular irregularities.
A: To help students determine if they are ready to take the PALS course, students are recommended to complete the online PALS Pre-course Self-Assessment through the AHA Student Website: americanheart.org.
Source:
American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@ecc/documents/downloadable/ucm_433454.pdf