ACLS

AHA’s ACLS Course has been updated to reflect new science in the 2020 American Heart
Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (2020 AHA
Guidelines for CPR and ECC). This course builds on the foundation of lifesaving BLS skills,
emphasizing the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR.

This advanced course highlights the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication,
systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute
dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE?
Healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary
arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency
response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units such as physicians,
nurses, and paramedics.

COURSE COVERS
• Basic life support skills, including effective chest compressions, use
of a bag-mask device, and use of an AED
• Recognition and early management of respiratory and cardiac arrest
• Recognition and early management of peri-arrest conditions such as
symptomatic bradycardia
• Airway management
• Related pharmacology
• Management of ACS and stroke
• Effective communication as a member and leader of a resuscitation team

COURSE DELIVERY
ACLS can be delivered in 2 formats to meet the needs of students and offer flexibility for
Instructors. All formats include the same learning objectives and result in the same course
completion card.
• Instructor-led Training
Instructors deliver both the cognitive portion of training and the psychomotor component
of thorough skills practice and testing in a classroom setting.
• Blended Learning – HeartCode® ACLS
Includes a combination of eLearning, in which a student completes part of the course in
a self-directed manner, and a hands-on session