Responding to emergency pediatric cases is, for many, one of the most difficult aspects of being a healthcare professional. Treating young patients can be challenging mentally and emotionally. As such, it’s important to have a strong understanding of pediatric life support skills so that you can act quickly and effectively in the face of these difficult situations.
Taking a pediatric advanced life support (PALS) class is the best way to prepare. The class will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to treat pediatric patients. You’ll also receive a pediatric advanced life support pocket reference card. These cards contain an overview of PALS topics and are a handy reference tool for healthcare professionals.
What is a PALS reference card?
A PALS reference card is a small card that serves as a quick reference for medical professionals. Packed with essential life-saving information, these cards are an excellent refresher tool, both during the PALS course and throughout various healthcare settings. They’re pocket-sized and designed to keep on hand so that it’s ready whenever you need to refer to it.
What information is on a PALS reference card?
PALS cards are reference cards that contain information about pediatric advanced life support. It has some of the most important algorithms, figures, and information to know when providing emergency treatment for young patients. They include the following information:
- Normal vital signs in children
- Pediatric cardiac arrest algorithm
- PALS systematic approach algorithm
- Pediatric septic shock algorithm
- Pediatric bradycardia with a pulse algorithm
- Pediatric Tachycardia with a pulse algorithm
- Medications used in PALS
- Post-cardiac arrest care
- Color-coded length-based resuscitation tape
The information on the cards is based on the most current CPR guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA). If you learn that the guidelines have since been updated and you aren’t planning to take a PALS renewal course anytime soon, you might consider purchasing an updated PALS card to keep on hand.
How can I get a PALS pocket reference card?
While PALS pocket reference cards are available for purchase online, the best way to get a reference card––and retain your PALS knowledge––is to take a PALS certification course. When you sign up for a PALS course, you’ll receive an up-to-date PALS reference card with your student manual that you can keep along with your certification card.
Get PALS Certified at SureFire CPR
Even if you aren’t specializing in pediatric care, all healthcare professionals should receive and maintain PALS certification. The reality is that pediatric patients require different treatment than their adult counterparts. It is crucial that all first responders and medical employees learn the special procedure for pediatric life support because you never know when you’ll encounter a pediatric case.
If you’re ready to complete PALS certification and get your PALS reference card, look no further than PALS certification courses at SureFire CPR. Our team of trainers––each with real-world experience as first responders––provides top-notch lessons in pediatric advanced life support and other healthcare topics. Serving Southern California, we have multiple locations and plenty of course times available.
Our highly-rated PALS certification course covers the following critical topics:
- Pediatric assessment
- Management of pediatric respiratory emergencies
- Vascular access
- Airway management
- PALS pharmacology
- A review of Basic Life Support (BLS)
We want you to leave the course feeling confident in your new skills and ready to head out into the field. To make sure your training is as comprehensive as possible, we’ll also review pediatric case studies and simulations, as well as how to be part of a pediatric resuscitation team. Of course, we’ll leave ample time for questions, too.
Need to renew your PALS certification? We can help with that too! Recertification is easy with our PALS renewal course. Just sign up for a renewal course to maintain your certification and keep your skills sharp.
Complete PALS Certification Online
If you’re worried about fitting training into your schedule, consider our online PALS certification. You can complete the initial training modules online from the comfort of your home, then stop by one of our facilities for a quick skills practice and test. The online modules can be completed at your own pace based on experience, and the in-person component takes less than an hour, so an online certification is a great option for current medical professionals.
We’re here to help. If you have any questions, contact us today using our online contact form or give us a call at (888) 277-3143.
