PALS for Paramedics
For many ambulance crews, a critically ill child is one of the least frequent and most stressful calls. A PALS course gives paramedics a structured way to assess and treat children in the field.
In short
Paramedics usually need PALS alongside ACLS. Field challenges include worried parents, equipment in many sizes, estimating weight without scales and deciding what to do on scene versus en route.
A calm, structured first look — the initial impression from the systematic approach — is often all the information you have before a parent hands you the child. Parents are a key source of history and usually stay with the child.
Without scales, a length-based tape gives a weight estimate and pre-calculated doses and equipment sizes — see weight-based dosing.
IO access is often faster than IV in a small, shut-down child.
See ACLS for paramedics and BLS for paramedics. We train ambulance teams on site.
Deciding whether to treat on scene or move quickly to hospital depends on the problem: an obstructed airway needs immediate action, while a stable child with suspected sepsis benefits most from rapid transport with pre-notification. Pre-alerting the receiving ED lets the paediatric team be ready.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar
Most ambulance services require it alongside ACLS.
Often with a length-based tape that also gives doses and equipment sizes.
Yes, it is often the fastest route in a critically ill child.
Seizures, breathing difficulty, allergic reactions and trauma.
Yes.
Yes, a pre-alert lets the paediatric team prepare.
Yes. Rare calls are when structured training matters most, because there is little day-to-day practice to fall back on.
Your service sets the list, but it typically includes bag-mask devices and masks in several sizes, paediatric airway adjuncts, a length-based weight tape, IO equipment and paediatric defibrillator pads.
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.