ACLS Certifiation

This weekend, rather than working in the hospital, I took my ACLS training and certification course. I'm now certified to participate in advanced cardiac life support situations. Since the 2010 guidelines have numerous changes to the prior algorithms, I wanted to fill everyone in on the changes. You never know when you might encounter an emergency, and these guidelines might help save someone's life.



So, here's a scenario: when you're out Christmas shopping, an elderly couple walks by you and the woman collapses on the floor. You approach her and place her on her back while asking her "are you ok?" She doesn't respond, so you ask the husband to call 911 and you ask a bystander to get an AED. Then (and this is a change), you check for a pulse on her carotid artery (her neck). You can spend 5-10seconds feeling for a pulse, but you don't really feel anything. Immediately begin chest compressions, and (this is another change), you should do at least 100 chest compressions per minute (it's roughly to the beat of the BeeGee's song "Stayin' Alive"), at a depth of at least 2 inches. Hard and fast. You begin chest compressions and feel a few of her ribs break - don't be deterred, continue to give compressions at a depth of at least 2 inches so that her heart can pump some blood to her vital organs. After 30 compressions, you give 2 breaths, then immediately return to chest compressions. Once the AED arrives, turn it on and follow its instructions while doing your best to continue chest compressions (i.e. have a bystander get the AED ready). Follow the AED's instructions, and continue your 100chest compressions/minute rate with 30compressions then 2 breaths until the ambulance arrives. This is what we call "Basic Life Support", or BLS, and everyone should be aware of how to do these simple life-saving things.



"Advanced Cardiac Life Support", or ACLS, begins with the ambulance and continues in the Emergency Department. While continuing the basic principles of at least 100/min, at least 2inches in depth, and follow the algorithm which corresponds to the changes you notice on Lead II of the ECG:

We also were trained in immediate stroke assessment and care, the details of which can be found below:

Please Note: all information and photographs are provided from the American Heart Association's 2010 ACLS guidelines. Please go here for more information on how to be better prepared in case of an emergency. The ACLS guidelines are meant to be performed by trained professionals, please do not attempt ACLS unless properly trained and certified.