Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS Course)

Participants enrolled in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) courses will learn the latest CPR and AED rescue techniques. At Calgary First Aid we offer Heart and Stroke Foundation Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) courses.

This course is offered at both of our training locations. This is a two-day course that requires approximately 13 hours of learning time. Participants enrolled in this course will learn about advanced life support techniques, airway management, usage of a crash cart, peri-arrest conditions and more.

To register for this course in any of our Calgary training centers scroll to the bottom of the page to view all available course dates, times and locations.

Who is Required to Take This Course?

This Heart and Stroke Foundation course is designed for individuals that work, manage or participate in any work involved with cardiac arrest and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies.

Many participants are employed in emergency response, emergency medicine and critical/intensive care units.

How Much Does This Course Cost?

The cost of this course is 269.99. Included in the cost of the course is a take-home manual, taxes and certification fees.

What Will I Learn in This Course?

Participants enrolled in this ACLS course will learn about the following skills and techniques according to the latest ILCOR guidelines.

• Life support rescue skills

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and chest compressions

• Usage of barrier devices including bag-valve masks

• When and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED)

• Recognition and management of respiratory and cardiac arrest victims including usage of a crash cart

• Recognition and management of peri-arrest conditions

• Airway management

• Basic pharmacology

• ACS

• How to effectively work in a team

What Are the Course Prerequisites?

Participants must have a current BLS completion card (This certificate must be issued by the Heart and Stroke Foundation) and complete the mandatory pre-course self-assessment and be proficient in the following:

• Reading and interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs)- Be able to identify—on a monitor and paper tracing—rhythms associated with bradycardia, tachycardia with adequate perfusion, tachycardia with poor perfusion, and pulseless arrest.

These rhythms include but are not limited to:

• Normal sinus rhythm

• Sinus bradycardia

• Type I second-degree AV block

• Type II second-degree AV block

• Third-degree AV block

• Sinus tachycardia

• Supraventricular tachycardias

• Ventricular tachycardia

• Asystole

• Ventricular fibrillation

• Organized rhythm without a pulse

Demonstrate a basic understanding of the essential drugs used in:

• Cardiac arrest

• Bradycardia

• Tachycardia with adequate perfusion

• Tachycardia with poor perfusion

• Immediate post-cardiac arrest care

Students are given directions on how to access the Student website in their ACLS Provider Manual. The student website provides important supplementary information and videos, as well as a link to the Precourse Self- Assessment.

The mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment requires a passing score of 70% or higher to print the certificate. Students can take the Precourse Self-Assessment as many times as needed to achieve a passing score.

What Certification Will I Receive?

Participants that successfully complete the course, including the written component, will receive a Heart and Stroke Foundation ACLS completion card that is valid for 2 years.