Who Should Attend This Advanced Life Support (ALS) Course?
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who are regularly involved in managing or responding to cardiac arrests and acutely unwell adult patients. It is particularly suited to clinicians working in high-dependency, emergency, or resuscitation-focused environments.
Ideal participants include:
- Doctors, Nurses, and paramedics
- Resuscitation officers and educators
- Clinical staff working in:
- Emergency Departments (ED)
- Intensive Care Units (ICU/CCU/HDU)
- Theatres and acute medical units
- ICU outreach or medical emergency teams
Eligibility: Delegates must hold – or be in training for – a recognised professional healthcare qualification and have a role that involves acute or emergency patient care.
Course Overview
The ALS course offers in-depth, clinically focused training in the recognition, management and escalation of life-threatening emergencies in adults. Using a blend of pre-course learning, interactive teaching and high-fidelity simulations, it develops both technical skills and non-technical skills such as leadership, communication and team working.
Key themes include:
- Early recognition and treatment of the deteriorating patient using a structured A–E approach
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) algorithms for adult cardiac arrest
- Airway assessment and management, including the use of supraglottic airway devices (e.g. i-gel)
- ECG rhythm recognition, including peri-arrest and 12-lead interpretation
- Safe and effective defibrillation (manual and/or AED)
- Appropriate use of resuscitation drugs in ALS
- Leading and participating in multidisciplinary resuscitation teams
Course Length:
At least 15 contact hours delivered over 2 days
Course Assessment:
At least 15 contact hours delivered over 2 days
Certification
On successful completion, delegates receive a Resuscitation Council UK ALS Certificate of Attendance.
Materials Provided
- ALS Course Manual (pre-course)
- Resuscitation resources, flow charts, and slide set (post-course)
- Personal resuscitation mask
Additional 1-Day Life Support Course Option
Alongside the full 2-day RCUK ALS course, we also offer a non-RCUK 1-day Life Support course, which can be tailored to your organisation’s needs. This condensed programme focuses on the core principles of advanced life support without full RCUK certification.
It is ideal for:
- Teams requiring an intensive refresher in ALS skills
- Services looking for internal training aligned with current ALS practice
- Clinical educators who teach resuscitation protocols and want a focused update
If you’re unsure whether the full 2-day ALS course or the 1-day option is most appropriate for your team, our clinical educators are happy to advise.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the 2-day ALS course, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the incidence and causes of sudden cardiac arrest in adults.
- Recognise and treat the deteriorating patient using a structured A–E approach.
- Understand and apply the Resuscitation Council UK Advanced Life Support (ALS) guidelines.
- Perform safe, effective Advanced Life Support interventions for adult patients.
- Understand the principles and safe practice of defibrillation (manual and/or AED).
- Recognise cardiac arrest and peri-arrest rhythms, including interpretation of 12-lead ECGs.
- Understand the safe use of airway management techniques, including supraglottic devices such as the i-gel.
- Demonstrate appropriate use of resuscitation drugs, understanding indications and timing.
- Lead and participate effectively within a multidisciplinary resuscitation team, demonstrating strong communication and leadership skills during simulated emergency scenarios.
Course Structure and Programme
The Advanced Life Support (ALS) course is highly practical and delivered in an immersive, supportive learning environment. Course manuals are provided in advance to help candidates develop core knowledge before attending.
Training is delivered through a blend of:
Interactive Lectures & Guided Discussions
- Key ALS concepts
- Causes and prevention of cardiac arrest
- Rhythm recognition, algorithms and decision-making
Practical Skill Stations
Hands-on stations designed to build competence and confidence in:
- High-quality CPR
- Manual defibrillation and AED use
- Airway management techniques
- Use of airway adjuncts (e.g. i-gel)
- ECG rhythm interpretation, including 12-lead ECGs
Team-Based Emergency Simulations
Realistic ALS simulations allow candidates to practise:
- Performing structured A–E assessments
- Leading and supporting a resuscitation team
- Managing complex peri-arrest and cardiac arrest scenarios
- Applying communication, leadership and non-technical skills
Case-Based Learning & Reflective Feedback
Facilitated debriefs follow each scenario to:
- Reinforce guideline knowledge
- Improve clinical decision-making
- Support development of teamwork and leadership skills
Post-Course Resources Provided:
All candidates receive a post-course pack including:
- ALS course slide set
- Medical emergency flow charts
- Personal resuscitation mask
- Additional reference materials for ongoing learning
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Course – 2-Day Training FAQs
The ALS course is suitable for Doctors, Nurses, paramedics, operating department practitioners, resuscitation officers and other clinical staff who are responsible for managing cardiac arrest or critically ill adult patients. Delegates must hold – or be working towards – a recognised healthcare qualification.
Yes. The 2-day ALS course is fully accredited by the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK). Successful delegates receive an official ALS certificate recognised across NHS trusts, private hospitals and independent healthcare organisations.
Delegates receive the full ALS course manual (pre-course), hands-on practical training, access to high-fidelity simulation equipment, post-course resources, resuscitation flow charts and a personal resuscitation mask. Continuous assessment and scenario-based learning are also included.
Absolutely. We provide on-site ALS training for departments, clinical teams and healthcare organisations. Training can be delivered at your location and adapted to your clinical environment and equipment.
If you do not require RCUK certification, we offer a 1-day Life Support course covering the essential elements of ALS. This version is ideal for internal updates, skills refreshment or teams seeking a shorter programme. It is not RCUK-certified.
Yes. All delegates must complete the online learning and pre-reading in the ALS manual before attending. This ensures consistent baseline knowledge and prepares candidates for practical assessments.
Assessment is continuous throughout the course and includes observation in skill stations, rhythm recognition, airway management and participation in simulated ALS scenarios. There is no single written exam, but all learning outcomes must be demonstrated.
Previous Immediate Life Support (ILS) training is highly recommended and often required by employers. If you are unsure whether your experience is sufficient, our clinical team can advise.
Courses can be delivered at our training venues or directly within your organisation. On-site delivery is popular for ED, ICU, theatres and medical teams who wish to train together.
Just yourself and suitable clinical clothing. All training equipment, manikins, airway adjuncts, monitors and defibrillators are provided.
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Contact Details
Whether you’d like to discuss your training requirements, book a course, or get expert advice, our friendly clinical team would love to hear from you.
Phone: 0333 0122 999
Email: info@rcmstraining.co.uk
Resuscitation Consultancy Medical Services Ltd
86 Forest Walk
Buckley, Flintshire
CH7 3AR
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed