ACLS Recertification Training Classes

ACLS Recertification Training Classes

Advanced Cardiac Life Support is a set of guidelines created by the American Heart Association for the treatment of cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory arrest. Specific treatments are given for each group of cardiac arrhythmias based on the absence of a pulse and if they have a pulse, it’s based on the rate being either too slow or too fast.

Some of the medications given are Atropine, Adenosine, Amiodarone, Lidocaine, Epinephrine and Dopamine. These will increase or decrease the heart rate as well as increase the blood pressure.                            Some of these medications are given emergently by a syringe and pushed through the IV line. Others are drips that run at a specific rate into the IV line.

Sometimes electrical therapy is needed. Some rhythms require an unsynchronized shock while others need a synchronized shock also called cardioversion.  If the rhythm is too slow it may require an external temporary pacemaker, or one placed internally.

As you can tell, this is an advanced resuscitation class. Students taking the class must be proficient in Basic Life Support and have had heart rhythm recognition training.  Before taking this class you should be able to look at the monitor and name the heart rhythm as well as the treatment.

This is a recertification class, so if you have not taken Advanced Cardiac Life Support in the past, or have an expired American Heart Association card, you’ll need to take a Provider class which is an Initial class.