Eligibility for Recertification
Recertification is available to delegates whose Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) certificate remains valid or expired within the previous 12 months.
If your certification has lapsed by more than one year, you will need to complete the full ILS or PILS course instead of the shorter recertification programme.
Please note: You may be asked to provide evidence of your current or recently expired certificate when booking, to ensure compliance with RCUK training standards.
Course Overview
The course refreshes the practical skills and clinical judgement developed during the original ILS or PILS programme. Through practical scenarios and instructor feedback, delegates revisit the techniques and decision-making required to manage deteriorating patients and medical emergencies safely and effectively.
- ABCDE patient assessment
- Early recognition and prevention of cardiopulmonary arrest
- High-quality CPR
- Safe use of manual and automated defibrillators (AEDs)
- Basic airway manoeuvres and adjuncts
- Effective communication and leadership in emergency situations
- Scenario-based team simulations
The course refreshes the practical skills and clinical judgement developed during the original ILS or PILS programme. Through practical scenarios and instructor feedback, delegates revisit the techniques and decision-making required to manage deteriorating patients and medical emergencies safely and effectively.
What You'll Refresh During the Course
Throughout the course, delegates revisit the practical techniques and clinical decision-making introduced during their original ILS or PILS training. Structured emergency scenarios provide the opportunity to refresh essential skills, reinforce current Resuscitation Council UK guidance and maintain confidence when responding to deteriorating patients in clinical practice.
Why Attend a Recertification Course?
Regular refresher training helps healthcare professionals maintain confidence in skills that may not be used every day. Recertification also provides the opportunity to reinforce current Resuscitation Council UK guidance, refresh practical techniques and continue working safely within multidisciplinary emergency teams.
Learning Outcomes
This recertification course revisits the key learning outcomes from both the ILS and PILS programmes.
ILS Recertification Outcomes
Delegates will refresh their ability to:
- Recognise and treat the deteriorating adult patient using the ABCDE approach
- Identify causes and support the prevention of cardiopulmonary arrest
- Deliver effective CPR and defibrillation (manual or AED)
- Perform simple airway manoeuvres using basic adjuncts
- Use non-technical skills (communication, leadership, teamwork) to support safe emergency care
PILS Recertification Outcomes
Delegates will reinforce their skills to:
- Apply a structured ABCDE approach for seriously ill infants and children
- Provide timely treatment to prevent paediatric cardiorespiratory arrest
- Deliver effective care during paediatric respiratory or cardiopulmonary arrest
- Act as a confident member of the paediatric resuscitation team
Course Length:
At least 4 contact hours (half-day)
Course Assessment:
Assessment takes place throughout the course using practical observation and structured emergency scenarios in accordance with current Resuscitation Council UK requirements.
Certification
Successful delegates receive a Resuscitation Council UK Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) recertification certificate, valid for one year.
Course Structure & Programme
Teaching combines short updates, practical skill stations and realistic emergency scenarios, allowing delegates to refresh essential techniques before applying them within structured team-based simulations.
Teaching Methods
- Interactive, instructor-led lectures
- Group workshops and discussion
- Targeted skills stations
- Hands-on scenario-based simulations
- Team-based resuscitation exercises
Practical & Scenario Elements
- ABCDE assessment refresh
- CPR and safe defibrillation skills
- Basic airway adjuncts
- Cardiac arrest team participation
- Adult or paediatric emergency simulations (depending on ILS or PILS pathway)
Further Course Information
This course follows current Resuscitation Council UK guidance. Further information about Immediate Life Support and recertification is available from the Resuscitation Council UK.
ILS/PILS Recertification Training FAQs
This course is available to delegates with a valid Resuscitation Council UK Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) certificate, or one that expired within the previous 12 months. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, we’re happy to advise before you book.
If your certificate expired more than 12 months ago, you’ll normally need to complete the full ILS or PILS course rather than the recertification programme in accordance with current Resuscitation Council UK requirements.
The course takes a minimum of 4 contact hours and is delivered as a half-day practical training session.
Successful delegates receive a Resuscitation Council UK Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) recertification certificate, valid for one year.
Immediate Life Support (ILS) recertification focuses on the recognition and management of deteriorating adult patients and adult cardiac arrest. Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) recertification covers the assessment and management of seriously ill infants and children. While the course structure is similar, the clinical scenarios and resuscitation guidance are specific to each patient group.
Yes. To ensure eligibility, delegates may be required to provide proof of their valid or recently expired ILS/PILS certificate when booking.
Immediate Life Support and Paediatric Immediate Life Support certification is generally renewed every year to help maintain practical skills and remain familiar with current Resuscitation Council UK guidance. Recertification courses provide an opportunity to refresh essential knowledge and practical techniques before certification expires.
Yes. Recertification training can be delivered onsite for hospitals, GP practices, community healthcare providers, dental teams and other organisations requiring group training. Courses can also be tailored to reflect local equipment and clinical practice where appropriate.
Yes. Course content follows current Resuscitation Council UK guidance and is reviewed to reflect changes to national recommendations. Training is delivered by practising clinicians with current clinical experience.
Yes. The course is delivered through a Resuscitation Council UK-approved training centre and follows the current requirements for ILS and PILS recertification.
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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