This course builds on the foundation of lifesaving basic life support skills, emphasizing the importance of preventing cardiac arrest, early and continuous high-quality life support, and high-performing teams.  It is designed for healthcare professionals and emergency responders who participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiac emergencies.  Suggested participants include: physicians; nurses; paramedics; emergency medical technicians; respiratory therapists; physician assistants; medical or nursing students; and other allied health personnel.  This course qualifies individuals for initial and renewal certification.  

This course will teach:

• The sequence for a systematic evaluation of adult patients
• Early recognition and management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and stroke
• Early recognition and management of bradycardias and tachycardias that may result in cardiac arrest or complicate resuscitation outcome
• Effective communication as a member or leader of a high-performance team
• Recognition and early management of respiratory arrest
• Recognition of cardiac arrest
• Prompt, high-quality BLS including prioritizing early chest compressions and integrating early AED use
• Early management of cardiac arrest until termination of resuscitation or transfer of care, including immediate post-cardiac arrest care
• Evaluation of resuscitative efforts during a cardiac arrest through continuous assessment of CPR quality, monitoring the patient’s physiologic response, and delivering real-time feedback to the team

To successfully complete this course, one must complete all 3 of the following components. Part 1, an online cognitive portion and written exam; Part 2, a hands-on skills practice session where students have the opportunity for one-on-one practice time with an AHA ACLS Instructor; and Part 3, a skills testing session.  Upon successful completion of all three parts, participants receive their healthcare provider course completion card.  Parts 2 and 3 will be completed on your registered date and time at the Tidewater Center for Life Support. 

*Part 1 must be completed prior to your registered date and time; all course participants will be issued a course key code from eLearning.heart.org that will provide access to the Part 1 of HeartCode ACLS on the AHA website.  

**If the minimum number of required course participants is not met, a coordinator may reach out to you 2-3 business days prior to class to reschedule your session.

Click here to watch the HeartCode ACLS video

The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in all AHA courses and has developed instructional materials for this purpose.  Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA.  Any fees charged, except for the fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the AHA.