Paediatric emergencies are rare in most workplaces, which is exactly why they are frightening when they happen. This course gives clinicians a structured way to assess the seriously unwell infant or child, act early, and run a paediatric resuscitation with confidence.
The day is built around scenarios on infant and child manikins, with cognitive aids for weight-based doses so no one is doing mental arithmetic under pressure.
Who it's for
GPs, practice nurses, emergency and rural clinicians, paediatric and perioperative nurses, and anyone who may need to resuscitate a baby or child.
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
- Assess a seriously unwell infant or child with a structured ABCDE approach
- Recognise and treat respiratory failure and shock before they progress to arrest
- Give high-quality infant and child CPR at 15:2, including the two-thumb encircling technique
- Follow the ANZCOR paediatric ALS algorithm for shockable and non-shockable rhythms
- Defibrillate a child safely with correct pad size, placement and weight-based energy
- Manage the paediatric airway with bag-valve-mask ventilation and adjuncts
- Calculate weight-based drug and fluid doses using a cognitive aid, and gain IO access
- Support family presence and communicate clearly with parents
Your training day
1 day. Plus about 8 hours of online learning.
| Time | Session | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Welcome and orientation Objectives, equipment walk-through, and the cognitive aids we use for weights and doses | Briefing |
| 08:20 | Infant and child CPR Two-thumb encircling and one- or two-hand techniques on feedback manikins, 15:2 with two rescuers | Skills station |
| 09:00 | Assessing the seriously unwell child Structured ABCDE assessment using case videos and manikins; when and how to escalate | Workshop |
| 09:45 | Airway and ventilation Bag-valve-mask sizing and technique, adjuncts, positioning infants and children | Skills station |
| 10:30 | Morning tea | |
| 10:45 | Access, drugs and fluids IO insertion on trainers, weight estimation and dose calculation with cognitive aids | Workshop |
| 11:30 | Paediatric defibrillation Pad sizes and placement, weight-based energy, safe shock | Skills station |
| 12:15 | Lunch | |
| 12:45 | Scenarios Respiratory arrest, shock, VF, asystole and PEA, bradycardia, SVT and anaphylaxis. Roles rotate, including a parent role | Simulation and debrief |
| 14:45 | Afternoon tea | |
| 15:00 | Assessment Each participant leads one assessed paediatric 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 including dose calculations, 80% to pass
- Effective infant and child CPR on feedback manikins
- Safe paediatric defibrillation with correct energy and pad placement
- Leading a simulated paediatric resuscitation independently, following the ANZCOR paediatric 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: competence in paediatric advanced life support for responders in services that care for children
- Paediatric resuscitation training for GPs, practice nurses, and rural and emergency staff
- ANZCOR Guideline 10.2: blended delivery, cognitive aids and team training
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 area for in-situ scenarios. Tables, chairs and power points.
Equipment we bring
- Infant and child manikins with CPR feedback
- Training defibrillator with paediatric pads and rhythm simulator
- Paediatric bag-valve-masks, airway adjuncts and suction
- IO trainer and simulated paediatric drug box
- Weight-based dosing cognitive aids
Travel within metropolitan Melbourne is included. Regional and interstate travel is quoted before you book.
Course questions
No. It is our own paediatric advanced life support course, following current Australian and New Zealand (ANZCOR) guidelines, which differ in places from American ones. It doesn't lead to an AHA or APLS certificate.
Yes, that is the main reason to train. When paediatric emergencies are rare, skills and confidence fade fastest. A structured approach and practised team roles make the biggest difference.