PALS Course Duration
How long a PALS course takes depends mostly on the route and on how often you see sick children. A NICU nurse who resuscitates weekly and a family doctor who has not seen a paediatric arrest in years will need very different amounts of preparation.
In short
HeartCode PALS: an adaptive online part followed by a hands-on skills session. Classroom PALS: all teaching and testing in the room, so it is longer. The booking form shows the time of each session.
The online part adapts to what you already know, so clinicians who work with children every day move through it faster. You then attend a hands-on session for infant and child CPR, case practice and testing. See HeartCode PALS.
Cases on respiratory problems, shock and arrhythmias are taught and practised in the room with infant and child manikins, so the course takes longer than a skills session. It suits people new to paediatric resuscitation. See classroom PALS. The exact schedule for each date is confirmed when you book.
The course standard is the same for everyone. What varies is preparation: someone who rarely treats children should allow extra time for normal values by age, weight-based doses and the systematic approach. Our PALS study guide sets out a one-week plan.
Renewals follow the same standard, and HeartCode is usually the quicker route for experienced providers. See PALS renewal.
Units that must keep a minimum number of PALS-certified nurses on every shift usually prefer on-site PALS, split into several short sessions so the unit stays staffed. Emergency staff who also need ACLS can plan both together — see ACLS course duration.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar
It depends on the format: HeartCode is an online part plus a skills session; classroom PALS is longer. Times are shown for each date in the booking form.
They are similar in scale; the time depends mainly on the format you choose.
The HeartCode skills session is completed in one visit. Check the classroom schedule when you book.
It adapts to your knowledge, so it varies from person to person.
About a week for most people; more if you rarely treat children.
Yes, on-site sessions can be split so the unit stays staffed.
Safety First Medical Services is an American Heart Association training centre on Al Reem Island. HeartCode blended PALS, classroom PALS and on-site PALS for paediatric, neonatal and emergency teams, with a two-year AHA PALS Provider eCard.
See PALS dates and register PALS course overview Group booking enquiry
What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.
Last reviewed by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.