Preparing for an Advanced Life Support (ALS) course involves more than reviewing CPR techniques. You will need to understand cardiac arrest management, recognise different heart rhythms, know when medications are used and work effectively as part of a resuscitation team.
Many ALS courses, including those offered by Parasol EMT, provide pre-course learning materials to help participants prepare for practical training. Completing these materials early gives you more time to understand the topics and identify areas that need extra attention.
Here is what you should focus on before attending your course.
Complete Your Pre-Course Learning Early
Many ALS courses combine online learning with face-to-face practical training. The online component introduces important topics such as cardiac arrest algorithms, medication protocols and rhythm recognition.
Leaving everything until the night before can make it difficult to remember the information during practical assessments.
Try to complete your learning over several sessions. For example, you could spread the material across three to five study sessions during the week before your course.
This gives you time to review difficult topics, revisit the algorithms and practise applying what you have learnt.
Review the ANZCOR Guidelines
The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) publishes resuscitation guidelines used in Australian healthcare training.
Before attending an ALS course, become familiar with two important areas.
1. Adult cardiac arrest management
Review the adult cardiac arrest algorithm, including shockable and non-shockable rhythms, CPR cycles, defibrillation and medication administration.
Pay particular attention to when adrenaline and amiodarone are used, as treatment depends on the patient’s heart rhythm and response.
2. Recognising and managing a deteriorating patient
Understanding how to assess a patient before cardiac arrest is equally important.
Review the ABCDE assessment approach:
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Exposure
This structured assessment helps healthcare professionals identify problems, prioritise treatment and recognise when urgent assistance is needed.
Study tip: Keep a copy of the relevant algorithms nearby while studying. Once you feel comfortable, try explaining each step without looking at the flowchart.
Practise ECG Rhythm Recognition
Recognising heart rhythms is an important part of ALS training. During practical scenarios, you may need to identify a rhythm quickly and decide whether defibrillation or another treatment is appropriate.
Start by reviewing the main cardiac arrest rhythms.
Shockable rhythms: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT).
Non-shockable rhythms: Asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
You should also revise other rhythms that may be covered in your course, including bradycardia, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and different types of heart block.
If you do not regularly interpret ECGs at work, spend around 15 to 20 minutes each day reviewing rhythm strips.
Focus on recognising the main features of each rhythm rather than simply memorising examples.
Refresh Your Basic Life Support Skills
ALS training builds on Basic Life Support (BLS), so it helps to review your CPR and defibrillation skills before attending.
Chest compressions
For adult CPR, the recommended compression rate is 100 to 120 per minute, with a depth of approximately 5 to 6 cm.
Make sure you understand correct hand placement, allowing the chest to recoil fully and keeping interruptions to a minimum.
Bag-mask ventilation
Review how to position the airway, maintain a proper mask seal and deliver effective breaths.
The C-E grip is one technique used to hold the mask in position. Avoid excessive ventilation, as it can interfere with effective resuscitation.
Defibrillator use
Become familiar with the basic steps involved in operating a defibrillator, including pad placement, rhythm assessment and safety checks before delivering a shock.
If you have access to a training manikin, a short practice session before your course can help you refresh these skills.
Understand the Different Team Roles
ALS scenarios involve teamwork. During training, participants may take turns performing different responsibilities, such as managing the airway, performing chest compressions, operating the defibrillator or leading the resuscitation.
Understanding these roles beforehand can make practical sessions easier to follow.
The team leader has an important responsibility.
Rather than performing every task, the team leader coordinates the response, monitors progress and communicates the next steps.
This includes ensuring CPR continues, arranging rhythm checks, confirming medication administration and considering reversible causes.
If you have limited experience leading a resuscitation, try mentally working through a cardiac arrest scenario.
Practise giving clear instructions and explaining what should happen next.
What to Bring on the Day
Check the joining instructions from your training provider before attending. Requirements can vary between courses.
Common items to prepare include:
Photo identification: Some providers require identification for registration or certification.
Comfortable clothing: Wear something suitable for practical activities, including performing CPR on a manikin.
Pre-course completion evidence: Bring confirmation of completed
