Lesson 1Integration of reversible causes (Hs and Ts) into resuscitation and targeted diagnosticsThis part stresses spotting and treating fixable causes of arrest using the Hs and Ts approach, combining on-site tests, focused treatments, and ongoing checks to fix root problems and enhance revival success in remote or busy scenes.
Systematic review of Hs and Ts causesBedside clues to hypoxia and hypovolemiaRecognizing acidosis, hypo/hyperkalemiaIdentifying tension pneumothorax and tamponadeSuspecting toxins, thrombosis, and traumaUsing ultrasound and labs to guide treatmentLesson 2Defibrillation protocols: PAD, immediate analysis, shock intervals, energy settingsThis part covers safe and effective shocking of the heart, including public defibrillator use, quick rhythm checks, deciding on shockable rhythms, energy choices for different devices, timing shocks, and reducing pauses before and after to save lives faster.
Indications for defibrillation in cardiac arrestPAD setup, pad placement, and safety checksImmediate rhythm analysis and shock decisionsEnergy settings for biphasic and monophasicCoordinating shocks with ongoing compressionsPost-shock rhythm reassessment and actionsLesson 3Vascular access and medication delivery: IV/IO placement, drug selection, dosing, timing for epinephrine, amiodarone/lidocaineThis part outlines setting up IV or bone access during arrest, picking good spots and tools, choosing and measuring revival drugs, timing adrenaline and heart rhythm meds, and ensuring safe, correct delivery and records in the field.
Choosing IV versus IO access during arrestIV and IO insertion sites and techniquesEpinephrine dosing and timing by rhythmAmiodarone and lidocaine indicationsFlushing, infusion, and line patency checksMedication tracking and double-check systemsLesson 4Immediate scene management and 60-second primary actions (scene safety, call for help, BLS chain activation)This part details the first minute at the scene, focusing on responder safety, quick arrest spotting, starting basic life support, early call to emergency services, and instant actions to avoid delays in chest compressions and shocking.
Scene safety and personal protective equipmentRapid assessment of responsiveness and breathingActivating EMS and BLS response systemsPositioning patient and preparing for CPRCoordinating bystanders during first minuteLesson 5High-performance BLS: compression rate, depth, hand placement, minimizing interruptionsThis part concentrates on giving high-quality basic life support, with right compression speed, depth, bounce-back, hand spots, cutting pauses, adding breaths, switching compressors, and using devices to improve blood flow during arrest.
Optimal compression rate and depth targetsCorrect hand placement and body mechanicsEnsuring full chest recoil and avoiding leaningMinimizing pauses and managing rhythm checksCoordinating compressions with ventilationsUsing CPR feedback devices and metronomesLesson 6Cardiac rhythm recognition and algorithm application: VF/VT, PEA, asystole decision pathwaysThis part teaches spotting main arrest rhythms like ventricular fibrillation, pulseless tachycardia, PEA, and flatline, and using advanced life support steps, mixing rhythm checks, shock choices, drug timing, and constant rechecks in an organized way.
ECG features of VF and pulseless VTIdentifying PEA and true asystoleShockable versus nonshockable pathwaysTiming rhythm checks with compressionsIntegrating drugs into rhythm algorithmsCommon rhythm interpretation pitfallsLesson 7Advanced airway management in ALS: indications, sequence (OPA/NPA, SAD, endotracheal intubation), confirmation and continuous waveform capnographyThis part discusses advanced breathing tube options in advanced life support, including when to use, step-by-step oral/nasal airways, throat devices, tube insertion methods, checking with ongoing CO2 monitoring, and fixing breathing issues.
Selecting basic versus advanced airway devicesOPA and NPA sizing, insertion, and pitfallsSupraglottic airway placement and fixationEndotracheal intubation steps and safetyWaveform capnography for tube confirmationManaging airway obstruction and dislodgementLesson 8Termination of resuscitation: criteria, documentation, family communication, and safe handover to emergency departmentThis part explains when and how to end revival efforts, covering medical and legal rules, proper records, kind talks with families, and smooth, safe transfer to hospital teams in Botswana's emergency systems.
Field and in-hospital termination criteriaAssessing futility and likelihood of survivalRequired medical and legal documentationCommunicating death and prognosis to familiesCoordinating handover with emergency departmentLesson 9Team roles, closed-loop communication, leadership during resuscitation, task allocation and timingThis part builds strong revival teams, stressing clear job assignments, feedback communication, leader actions, task order, timing key steps, and reviews to better performance and patient results in high-pressure situations.
Assigning clear roles before and during arrestPrinciples of closed-loop communicationLeadership behaviors under high stressCoordinating tasks and intervention timingManaging conflicts and cognitive overloadStructured post-event debriefing methods
