Paediatric Life Support (PLS)

The ALSG Paediatric Life Support (PLS) course provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required for the immediate assessment, recognition and initial management of seriously ill or injured infants and children. Using a structured ABCDE approach, the course focuses on the critical first minutes of paediatric emergencies before advanced or specialist help becomes available.

PLS is designed to improve confidence in the recognition and management of paediatric emergencies through a combination of interactive teaching, practical skills stations and realistic simulation-based scenarios. The course is delivered worldwide by ALSG-approved training centres and is recognised as an excellent foundation in paediatric emergency care.

The PLS course comprises a flexible online learning component (VLE) followed by a one-day face-to-face course. The online tutorials must be completed before attending the course. Candidates typically require between 4 and 8 hours to complete the online learning. No exceptions are made.

 

Eligibility
This course is intended for healthcare professionals who may be required to assess or manage acutely ill or injured infants and children. It is suitable for those working in both hospital and pre-hospital environments.

This may include (but is not limited to):

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Advanced Nurse Practitioners
• Advanced Paramedics
• Paramedics
• Emergency Care Practitioners
• Operating Department Practitioners
• Resuscitation Training Officers
• Physician Associates
  
  

Eligibility Checklist

• Registered healthcare professional
• Basic Life Support certification (e.g. BLS Healthcare Provider or equivalent)
• Involved in the care of paediatric patients as part of your clinical role
• Previous experience managing paediatric emergencies is beneficial but not essential
  
  

Course Content

Instructor-led teaching, skills stations and simulation scenarios covering:

• Structured ABCDE assessment of the sick child
• Recognition of the seriously ill child
• Airway management
• Oxygen therapy and ventilation
• Recognition and management of respiratory distress and respiratory failure
• Recognition and management of shock
• Intraosseous access
• Fluid resuscitation
• Basic paediatric life support
• Management of the deteriorating child
• Teamwork and communication during paediatric emergencies
• Integrated simulation-based paediatric emergency scenarios
  
  

Duration
1 day (approximately 8 hours), following completion of the online VLE component.

Criteria for Successful Completion

• Complete all ALSG online VLE modules and associated assessments before attending the course.
• Actively participate in all teaching sessions, practical skills stations and simulation scenarios.
• Demonstrate competency throughout the continuous assessment process.
• Successfully demonstrate the assessment and initial management of paediatric emergencies using a structured approach.
• Demonstrate competency in paediatric basic life support skills.

Assessment is continuous throughout the course.

Certification
Candidates who successfully complete the course will receive an official ALSG Paediatric Life Support (PLS) Provider Certificate, valid for four years.

Instructors
Our highly experienced instructors come from backgrounds including Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, Nursing and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care. All remain actively involved in clinical practice and regularly manage paediatric emergencies within their specialist areas.

Codeblue is a registered and approved ALSG Training Centre. ALSG Provider Certificates can only be issued through approved training centres using fully certified ALSG instructors who maintain appropriate professional registration and indemnity insurance.

Course Materials
Students will receive the following materials prior to the course:

• Online VLE enrolment key
• Course Programme
• Criteria for Successful Completion

 

Pre-Course Learning
Completion of the ALSG online VLE tutorials is mandatory before attending the face-to-face course. Candidates should allow approximately 4 to 8 hours to complete the online learning.

If you attend the course without completing the required VLE, your options are:

• Return home (no PLS certificate, no observer certificate and no successful course completion).
• Remain on the course as an observer (observer certificate only where applicable and subject to attendance requirements).

No refunds will be issued where the required VLE has not been completed.

If you are unable to complete the course due to incomplete VLE, your online learning can be used towards a future PLS course. Codeblue will deduct the cost of the VLE from your next full PLS course booking. We cannot guarantee that another ALSG training centre will offer the same arrangement.

CPD / CEU Credits
All Codeblue courses are eligible for CPD/CEU credits. The number of credits available depends on your professional body and speciality. This course provides up to 8 hours of face-to-face educational activity, which may be claimed in accordance with your professional regulator’s CPD requirements.

Course Location
Codeblue Training Centre, Unit 127 Slaney Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin, D11 TX86