Advanced Life Support is for the clinicians who will lead or support a resuscitation until the patient is handed over. It builds on BLS with the full adult ALS algorithm: rhythm recognition, manual defibrillation, advanced airway, IV and IO access, drugs, reversible causes and care after return of circulation.
The theory is done online before the day, so the day itself is spent on equipment and scenarios. Groups are small, at most 8 per educator, so everyone leads at least one simulated arrest and gets specific feedback on it.
Who it's for
GPs, nurses and paramedics who would lead or assist at a cardiac arrest: practice nurses, day surgery and recovery nurses, aged care clinical leads, and rural and remote clinicians.
Before you attend
A clinical role (AHPRA-registered or a paramedic) and current BLS skills. About 8 hours of online learning, at your own pace, finished before the day.
What you'll learn
- Recognise the deteriorating adult and act early to prevent cardiac arrest
- Deliver and supervise high-quality CPR with minimal interruptions
- Identify shockable and non-shockable arrest rhythms and common peri-arrest rhythms
- Defibrillate safely in manual mode, and describe when cardioversion and pacing are used
- Manage the airway with a bag-valve-mask, adjuncts and a supraglottic airway
- Give adrenaline and amiodarone at the right points in the algorithm, by IV or IO
- Find and treat reversible causes using the 4 Hs and 4 Ts
- Lead a resuscitation team with clear roles and closed-loop communication
- Begin post-resuscitation care after return of spontaneous circulation
Your training day
1 day. Plus about 8 hours of online learning.
| Time | Session | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Welcome and orientation Objectives, team introductions, and a walk through your own resuscitation trolley and defibrillator | Briefing |
| 08:20 | High-quality CPR Compression and ventilation check on feedback manikins; rotating compressors every 2 minutes | Skills station |
| 08:50 | Rhythm recognition Rapid rhythm identification on the simulator, linked to the algorithm decision | Workshop |
| 09:30 | Manual defibrillation Safe charge-and-shock sequence, shockable and non-shockable pathways; cardioversion and pacing overview | Skills station |
| 10:15 | Morning tea | |
| 10:30 | Airway management Two-person bag-valve-mask, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, supraglottic airway, suction, capnography | Skills station |
| 11:15 | Access and drugs IO insertion on trainers, drug preparation, timing in the algorithm, 4 Hs and 4 Ts | Workshop |
| 12:00 | Demonstration arrest Educators run a full arrest in real time, then the group breaks down what each role did | Demonstration |
| 12:30 | Lunch | |
| 13:00 | Cardiac arrest scenarios Shockable and non-shockable arrests, peri-arrest bradycardia and tachycardia, anaphylaxis, post-ROSC care. Team leader, defibrillator, airway, drugs and scribe roles rotate | Simulation and debrief |
| 14:45 | Afternoon tea | |
| 15:00 | Assessment Each participant leads one assessed scenario. Theory exam if not completed online | Assessment |
| 16:15 | Debrief, reflection and refresher plan Individual feedback, reflection on team performance, an action plan and certificates. Finish at 17:00 | Debrief |
Assessment and certificates
- Theory exam: multiple-choice, 80% to pass
- Two minutes of effective CPR on a feedback manikin
- Safe manual defibrillation, including correct rhythm identification
- Leading a simulated cardiac arrest independently, following the ANZCOR adult ALS algorithm
Participants who meet every assessment criterion receive a certificate of competency showing the course, date, CPD hours and guideline version. Anyone who doesn't receives a certificate of attendance with specific feedback, and can be reassessed at a later session at no charge.
Training requirements and CPD
This course is designed to support the requirements below. Confirm your employer's certificate requirements before booking.
- NSQHS Standard 8, Action 8.11: evidence of clinicians' competence in advanced life support, following Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines
- Employer-specific advanced life support refresher requirements, subject to local policy
- RACGP CPR requirement for GPs (an ALS course that includes CPR is accepted)
- ANZCOR Guideline 10.2: blended delivery with 6–8 hours of instructor-led training, feedback devices and team leadership
16 planned learning hours. [CPD accreditation pending] Learning hours are not a guarantee of CPD credit or a specific CPD category.
- RACGP activity ID: [Activity ID pending]
- ACRRM activity ID: [Activity ID pending]
Official standards and how we document training →
Running the course at your workplace
Up to 8 with one educator, up to 16 with two. A room big enough for two scenario stations, or your own treatment room or recovery bay for in-situ scenarios. Tables, chairs and power points.
Equipment we bring
- ALS manikin with airway and rhythm simulator
- Training defibrillator with manual mode
- CPR feedback manikins
- Bag-valve-masks, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, supraglottic airways, suction
- IO trainer, simulated drug box and cognitive aids (algorithm cards)
Travel within metropolitan Melbourne is included. Regional and interstate travel is quoted before you book.
Course questions
It teaches advanced life support to the same level and follows current ANZCOR guidelines, but it is our own course and doesn't lead to an Australian Resuscitation Council certificate. Acceptance depends on your employer or credentialing committee. If your credentialing committee asks for ARC ALS2 by name, check with them before booking.
We recommend a yearly refresher, but your employer sets its required interval and accepted certificates. Anyone who has done ALS in the last 18 months can take the half-day recertification instead of the full day.
They need to finish it before the day, because the practical sessions assume the theory is done. We send you a completion list beforehand so there are no surprises.