• Steps to CPR
• When to start CPR
• When to give breaths, including with barrier devices
• When to check a pulse
• How to give compressions at the proper depth and rate and with complete chest recoil
• When to use an AED
• The signs and actions for severe airway obstruction in the responsive and unresponsive victim
• The links of the Chain of Survival
• Activating the appropriate emergency response system
• Performing CPR
• Providing early defibrillation
• Ensuring the arrival of early advanced care by activating 9-1-1
• Describe the signs of 4 common life-threatening emergencies in adults
• Cardiac Arrest
• Choking
• Stroke
• Heart Attack

• Learn hands-on with a manikin for one person to administrate CPR to one victim.
• Group participation to develop skills with a manikin.
• Identification of the signs and symptoms of airway obstruction including dislodging techniques.
• Recognition of the early warning signals of respiratory and cardiac arrest.
• Identification of the signs and symptoms of stroke.
• Understanding the functions of heart and lung anatomy.
• Identification of risk factors.
• Child and infant CPR are presented.
• Course length is approximately 3-5 hours and student must successfully pass a skills evaluation on a manikin.
• Course meets the minimum requirements for adult, child and infant CPR with American Heart Association certification valid for two years.

BLS Instructor

Ideal Candidate

• Motivated to teach.
• Motivated to facilitate learning.
• Motivated to ensure that students acquire the skills necessary for successful course completion.
• Views student assessment as a way to improve individual knowledge and skills.
• Committed to teach four courses in a two year period in accordance with the AHA guidelines and support the Chain of Survival in your community.

Prerequisites

• All prospective participants in an Instructor Course must have a current Provider status in the discipline the candidate wishes to teach.
• All prospective participants in an Instructor Course must attend an Instructor Orientation prior to the course.  The course director will schedule that date.
• All prospective participants must complete the Core Instructor Course prior to the start of the Instructor Course.
• Instructor Candidate Application completed.
• Letter of recommendation submitted.
• All prospective participants in an Instructor Course must own the most current edition of the required AHA Provider textbooks and Instructor’s manuals for the course they intend to teach and must have the appropriate toolkits.

ACLS Provider Course

• Recognize and initiate early management of peri-arrest conditions that may result in cardiac arrest or complicate resuscitation outcome.
• Demonstrate proficiency in providing BLS care, including prioritizing chest compressions and integrating AED use.
• Manage cardiac arrest until the return of spontaneous circulation, transfer of care or termination of resuscitation.
• Identify and treat ischemic chest pain and expedite the care of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
• Recognize other life-threatening clinical situations, such as stroke, and provide effective initial care and transfer to reduce disability and death.
• Demonstrate effective communication as a member or leader of a resuscitation team and recognize the impact of team dynamics on overall team performance.
• Review Basic Life Support (BLS) Primary Survey.
• Review the ACLS Secondary Survey.
• Understanding the ACLS algorithms.

• Performing BLS CPR skills using the 2011 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.
• Reading and interpreting ECGs.
• Understanding ACLS drugs.
• Performing the BLS primary survey and the ACLS secondary survey.
• Completion of pre-course assignment.

• Participate in, practice and complete all learning stations.
• Pass the 1-rescuer CPR/AED testing station.
• Pass the Mega code testing station.
• Pass the closed-book written test with a minimum score of 84%.