PALS vs Pediatric First Aid
Parents, teachers and nursery staff sometimes search for a PALS course because it sounds like the most complete child emergency training. It is — for hospital clinicians. For everyone else, pediatric first aid is the right course.
The short answer
Healthcare professionals who treat critically ill children: PALS. Parents, teachers, nannies, coaches and nursery staff: AHA Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED.
| PALS | Pediatric First Aid CPR AED | |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Healthcare professionals | Parents, teachers, childcare staff |
| Prerequisite | Current BLS | None |
| Covers | Assessment, drugs, IO, rhythms, shock, arrest | First aid, CPR, AED, choking for children and infants |
| Equipment used | Monitors, defibrillators, IV/IO, drugs | Hands, barrier device, AED |
The pediatric first aid course teaches what you can do before an ambulance arrives: CPR, choking relief, allergic reactions, fever and seizures, burns and injuries. See the pediatric first aid course guide.
PALS assumes clinical skills and equipment. See PALS requirements.
School nurses usually hold BLS; PALS depends on the school’s policy. Teachers and assistants take pediatric first aid.
In a school or nursery, the first person to help a collapsed child will usually be a teacher or carer with first aid training; the ambulance and hospital teams who take over will have PALS. Both links matter, and good first aid at the start makes everything that follows more effective.
Clinicians: book PALS on this page. Parents and schools: see the first aid course page.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar
PALS is designed for healthcare professionals; parents should take pediatric first aid.
No, teachers take pediatric first aid.
Yes, child and infant CPR, AED and choking relief.
Usually BLS; PALS depends on school policy.
PALS, as it is an advanced clinical course.
Not usually; BLS and PALS cover more than first aid for clinical practice.
Nursery nurses without a clinical licence usually take pediatric first aid; PALS is designed for healthcare professionals.
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.