Course Description

Intermediate Life Support (ILS) or Advanced Life Support 1 (ALS1) Course: A Synopsis

This course, often referred to as Intermediate Life Support (ILS) or Advanced Life Support 1 (ALS1), is a vital training program designed for healthcare professionals who may be required to manage cardiorespiratory arrest and other medical emergencies. It bridges the gap between basic life support and advanced resuscitation, equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills to provide effective initial and ongoing care in critical situations.

12 Hours of CPD

5.5 Hours – Educational Activity

4.5 Hours – Reviewing Performance

What Topics and Skills are Learnt?

The ILS course comprehensively covers a range of crucial topics and practical skills, building confidence and competence in emergency management. Key areas of learning typically include:

• Recognition and Assessment of the Critically Ill Patient: Participants learn to systematically assess patients using structured approaches (e.g., ABCDE approach) to identify deteriorating conditions and anticipate potential cardiorespiratory arrest.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Review and Refinement: A thorough review of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and effective use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is provided, ensuring participants maintain proficiency in these fundamental skills.
• Airway Management: This includes advanced airway adjuncts such as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, laryngeal mask airways (LMAs), and often extends to bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation techniques and strategies for managing airway obstruction.
• Cardiac Arrest Rhythms and Management: Participants learn to recognise common cardiac arrest rhythms (e.g., ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, asystole, pulseless electrical activity) and the appropriate algorithms and interventions for each, including defibrillation and pacing.
• Post-Resuscitation Care Principles: Understanding the crucial steps immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), including monitoring, targeted temperature management, and initial stabilisation.
• Team Dynamics and Communication: Emphasis is placed on effective teamwork, leadership, clear communication, and role allocation during resuscitation efforts, recognising that successful outcomes often depend on a well-coordinated team.
• Pharmacology in Resuscitation: An overview of essential emergency drugs, their indications, dosages, and routes of administration (e.g., adrenaline, amiodarone, atropine).
• Special Circumstances in Resuscitation: This may include considerations for managing cardiac arrest in specific populations or scenarios, such as pregnancy, anaphylaxis, or trauma.
• Ethical and Legal Considerations: Discussion of ethical dilemmas and legal responsibilities associated with resuscitation efforts.

In essence, the ILS course is an investment in both individual professional development and, more importantly, in the lives of patients. It empowers healthcare providers to deliver high-quality, evidence-based emergency care when it matters most