European Paediatric Advanced Life Support

The EPALS course is designed for all healthcare professionals who are likely to be involved, either as a team member or team leader, in the resuscitation of a child, infant or newborn whether in hospital or out of hospital. The course aims to provide caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed for managing a critically ill child during the first hour of illness, and preventing progression to cardiac arrest. Emphasis is given also to team management and non-technical skills.

The course takes up 2 full days (or up to 3 days) and includes:

• Recognition of a critically ill child
• Knowledge and skills in assessing and treating problems with the airway, breathing and circulation (including bag-mask ventilation)
• Intraosseous infusion
• Management of shock
• Scenario-based training in the management of critically ill children
• Basic life support
• Treatment of choking
• Neonatal life support
• Advanced cardiac arrest algorithms
• Shockable and non-shockable rhythms, defibrillation
• Scenario-based training in the management of (imminent) cardiac arrest, severe trauma and special circumstances; with emphasis on non-technical skills and team approach
• Post-resuscitation care and ethics