PALS Course Syllabus
The PALS course is organised around the way children actually deteriorate: breathing problems and shock first, arrest last. Its syllabus reflects that — most of the time goes on recognising and treating a sick child before the heart stops.
The syllabus in one line
Child and infant BLS → the paediatric systematic approach → respiratory distress and failure (four types) → shock (four types) → bradycardia and tachycardia → cardiac arrest → post-arrest care → team scenarios and testing.
The course opens with child and infant high-quality CPR, then the PALS systematic approach: an initial impression from the doorway, a hands-on primary assessment, a secondary assessment and diagnostic tests. Knowing what is normal for each age — see vital signs by age — is part of it.
Telling respiratory distress from failure, and the four problem types: upper airway obstruction, lower airway obstruction, and lung tissue disease and disordered control of breathing.
Compensated versus hypotensive shock, the four shock types, septic shock and fluid resuscitation, with intraosseous access when a vein cannot be found.
Bradycardia with poor perfusion, tachycardia including SVT, the cardiac arrest algorithm, weight-based shocks and cardioversion and post-arrest care.
Every drug and energy in PALS is calculated by weight — see weight-based dosing and PALS drugs.
Child and infant CPR skills tests, case-based scenarios that you lead, and a written test — see the PALS pretest and exam and PALS practice questions. Newborn resuscitation at delivery is not included; that is NRP.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar
Paediatric assessment, respiratory emergencies, shock, bradycardia, tachycardia, cardiac arrest, post-arrest care, child and infant CPR and team dynamics.
Not resuscitation at delivery, which is covered by NRP. PALS covers infants and children.
No. Much of it is about recognising and treating respiratory problems and shock before arrest.
Yes, as weight-based doses within each algorithm.
Yes, it is taught as the route when IV access cannot be obtained quickly.
Child and infant CPR skills tests, case-based testing scenarios and a written test.
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.