Foundations of Advanced Life Support (ALS) — PickAClass
⏱ 3h 📚 30 lessons 🎧 Audio version

Foundations of Advanced Life Support (ALS)

Master the essential protocols, algorithms, and decision-making skills required to respond to cardiac arrest and manage life-threatening emergencies.

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About this course

In critical medical emergencies, rapid and structured decision-making saves lives. Understanding the core protocols of Advanced Life Support (ALS) empowers you to act with confidence and precision during cardiac arrest and acute clinical deterioration. This text-based course guides you through the foundational concepts of ALS, from early recognition of deteriorating patients to systematic resuscitation algorithms, helping you build the theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to support a resuscitation team. What you'll learn: - Identify the early warning signs of clinical deterioration and impending cardiac arrest. - Master the universal ALS algorithm for shockable and non-shockable cardiac rhythms. - Understand airway management strategies and safe manual defibrillation protocols. - Apply current pharmacological guidelines for administering key resuscitation medications. - Analyze post-resuscitation care essentials to optimize patient recovery. - Implement effective crisis resource management and communication strategies within a resuscitation team. The course begins with fundamental terminology and patient assessment frameworks before progressing to detailed algorithmic responses and post-arrest care scenarios. Through structured written explanations and clinical case walkthroughs, you will study the step-by-step logic of emergency cardiac care. This program is designed for healthcare students, newly qualified professionals, or anyone seeking a solid introduction to resuscitation principles, with no prior advanced life support experience required. Begin reading today to build a strong foundation in life-saving resuscitation protocols.

Course contents

6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h

1 Patient Assessment and Early Recognition
Identify clinical deterioration and prepare for emergency intervention.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Introduction to ALS Terminology
    Learn the essential vocabulary used in advanced life support settings.
    6 min
  2. The ABCDE Assessment Framework
    Master the systematic approach to assessing a critically ill patient.
    6 min
  3. Spotting Early Warning Signs
    Recognize the physiological triggers that signal clinical deterioration.
    6 min
  4. Recognizing Impending Cardiac Arrest
    Identify the critical signs that a patient is about to arrest.
    6 min
  5. Escalation and Team Activation
    Understand when and how to call for the resuscitation team.
    6 min
2 The ALS Algorithm and Rhythm Analysis
Understand the logic and flow of the universal cardiac arrest algorithm.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. The Universal ALS Algorithm Overview
    Visualize the step-by-step flow of the standard ALS treatment pathway.
    6 min
  2. Shockable Rhythms: VF and pVT
    Learn to identify Ventricular Fibrillation and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia.
    6 min
  3. Non-Shockable Rhythms: PEA and Asystole
    Learn to identify Pulseless Electrical Activity and Asystole.
    6 min
  4. The Logic of Rhythm Checks
    Understand why we pause every 2 minutes and what decisions follow.
    6 min
  5. High-Quality CPR within ALS
    Integrate chest compressions and ventilations into the ALS cycle.
    6 min
3 Defibrillation and Airway Management
Master the technical interventions of the ALS protocol.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Principles of Manual Defibrillation
    Understand how electricity stops lethal arrhythmias.
    6 min
  2. Safe Defibrillation Protocols
    Learn the safety checks to prevent injury to the team during a shock.
    6 min
  3. Basic Airway Management
    Explore the use of OPA, NPA, and bag-mask ventilation.
    6 min
  4. Advanced Airway Strategies
    Compare Supraglottic Airways (SGA) and Endotracheal Intubation.
    6 min
  5. Oxygenation and Capnography
    Understand the role of high-flow oxygen and CO2 monitoring.
    6 min
4 Pharmacology and Reversible Causes
Apply medication guidelines and troubleshoot the causes of arrest.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) in ALS
    Learn the timing, dosage, and rationale for adrenaline administration.
    6 min
  2. Anti-arrhythmic Drugs: Amiodarone
    Understand when to use amiodarone for shock-refractory rhythms.
    6 min
  3. The 4 Hs: Reversible Causes Part 1
    Identify and treat Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hyper/Hypokalemia, and Hypothermia.
    6 min
  4. The 4 Ts: Reversible Causes Part 2
    Identify and treat Thrombosis, Tension Pneumothorax, Tamponade, and Toxins.
    6 min
  5. Vascular Access: IV vs IO
    Compare intravenous and intraosseous routes for drug delivery.
    6 min
5 Post-Resuscitation and Team Dynamics
Manage the patient after ROSC and optimize team performance.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Immediate Post-Resuscitation Care
    Learn the initial steps to stabilize a patient after Return of Spontaneous Circulation.
    6 min
  2. Optimizing Recovery: Neuroprotection
    Understand temperature management and glucose control post-arrest.
    6 min
  3. Crisis Resource Management (CRM)
    Learn how to manage resources and cognitive load during a crisis.
    6 min
  4. Effective Team Communication
    Master closed-loop communication and SBAR handovers.
    6 min
  5. Roles and Leadership in ALS
    Define the responsibilities of the team leader and team members.
    6 min
6 Clinical Logic and Case Walkthroughs
Synthesize knowledge through structured clinical scenarios.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Case Study: The Ward Deterioration
    Apply ABCDE and early warning signs to a clinical scenario.
    6 min
  2. Case Study: Refractory VF
    Walk through the logic of managing a persistent shockable rhythm.
    6 min
  3. Case Study: Asystole Management
    Walk through the logic of managing a non-shockable rhythm.
    6 min
  4. Case Study: Managing Reversible Causes
    Practice identifying the 'Why' behind a cardiac arrest.
    6 min
  5. Course Summary and Final Synthesis
    Review the core pillars of ALS to solidify your foundation.
    6 min
Final project

The Resuscitation Blueprint

You will be presented with a complex clinical scenario involving a deteriorating patient who eventually arrests. You must outline the step-by-step management plan.

What you'll get

  • 📜 Certificate of completion
    Add it to your LinkedIn profile
  • 💬 Personal AI tutor
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  • 🎧 Audio version included
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  • ♾️ Lifetime access
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  • 📱 Phone or computer
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  • 💸 14-day refund
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  • ⚡ Short & focused
    3h of practical content

Certificate of completion

Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.

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Certificate of Mastery
This certifies that
Name Surname
has successfully demonstrated mastery of
Foundations of Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Skills demonstrated
✓
Behavioral pattern analysis
Foundational
1.2 hrs
✓
Decision-architecture frameworks
Proficient
1.4 hrs
✓
A/B test design
Proficient
1.7 hrs
✓
Behavioral copywriting
Advanced
1.9 hrs
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PickAClass — Name Surname
Foundations of Advanced Life Support (ALS)
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Performance detail
Coursework summary
Lessons completed 14 / 14
Practice questions 26 / 28
Assignments submitted 4 (avg 4.5 / 5)
Capstone project Reviewed — 4.6 / 5
Total practice 6.2 hrs
Performance benchmark
Cohort rank Top 12% of 1,625
Time to completion 11 days (median: 22)
Mastery score 91 / 100
Practice-question score 94%
Skill verification Verified Skill Path
Verify this credential
pickaclass.com/certificates/PCC-2026-X4F7-AP19
Issued under the academic standards of PickAClass. Skill levels reflect assessed performance against the course's competency rubric. This is an original credential of this platform.

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