Lesson 1Session 2: Basic life support review, high-quality CPR metrics, and monitoring (teaching methods and adaptations)Covers how to teach and evaluate high-quality BLS within ACLS, including compression metrics, ventilation targets, feedback devices, and adaptations for different learners and clinical environments using varied teaching strategies.
Review current adult BLS and AED guidelinesTeach compression depth, rate, and recoil targetsUse CPR feedback devices and manikin dataAdapt BLS teaching for diverse learner groupsIntegrate BLS into ACLS case-based scenariosLesson 2Session 1: Introduction, expectations, pre-test knowledge assessment, and role allocationDefines goals and structure for Session 1, including orienting instructor candidates, clarifying expectations, reviewing course materials, and using pre-course assessments to guide individualized learning plans.
Review course agenda and instructor pathwayClarify instructor roles and professionalismExplain performance and conduct expectationsAdminister and debrief pre-course knowledge testIdentify learner needs and support plansLesson 3Session 8: Post–cardiac arrest care and targeted temperature management overviewCovers teaching post–cardiac arrest care, including hemodynamic optimization, ventilation targets, neurologic monitoring, and targeted temperature management, with emphasis on integrating these concepts into advanced scenarios.
Review goals for post–cardiac arrest stabilizationTeach blood pressure and perfusion managementDiscuss oxygenation and ventilation targetsIntroduce neurologic assessment and prognosticationExplain targeted temperature management principlesLesson 4Session 10: Final summative assessment (skills stations, written test) and certification logisticsOutlines how to conduct final skills and written assessments, apply scoring tools, ensure fairness and reliability, communicate results, and manage certification documentation and course completion logistics.
Set up ACLS instructor skills testing stationsAdminister and score written examinationsApply standardized assessment checklistsCommunicate results and provide brief feedbackComplete certification records and course reportsLesson 5Session 7: Megacode structure and flow: leader tasks, team tasks, and time-critical interventionsDescribes how to structure and run megacode sessions, including scenario design, timing, leader and team tasks, integration of algorithms, and strategies for real-time coaching and post-scenario debriefing.
Design megacode scenarios with clear objectivesSequence assessment, interventions, and reassessmentAssign and rotate team leader and member rolesEmphasize time-critical defibrillation and drugsUse structured debriefing after each megacodeLesson 6Session 9: Consolidation simulations, formative feedback sessions, and remediation plansFocuses on designing consolidation simulations that integrate course content, providing formative feedback, identifying performance gaps, and planning remediation strategies to support struggling instructor candidates.
Plan integrated multi-system ACLS scenariosUse formative assessment tools during simulationsDeliver specific, behavior-focused feedbackIdentify common performance gaps and causesDevelop individualized remediation action plansLesson 7Session 3: Recognition and immediate management of arrhythmias and rhythm interpretation practiceFocuses on teaching recognition and initial management of bradycardias, tachycardias, and arrest rhythms, emphasizing rhythm interpretation practice, algorithms, and instructional strategies for deliberate practice and feedback.
Teach systematic ECG rhythm analysis stepsDifferentiate shockable and nonshockable rhythmsLink rhythms to ACLS treatment algorithmsDesign rhythm strip practice and drillsCoach learners using targeted rhythm feedbackLesson 8Session 4: Airway management, ventilation strategies, and advanced airway placement principlesDetails how to teach airway assessment, bag-mask ventilation, and advanced airway options, including indications, device selection, confirmation of placement, and safe integration into ACLS scenarios and skills stations.
Review airway assessment and predictors of difficultyTeach effective bag-mask seal and two-rescuer techniqueCompare supraglottic and endotracheal airwaysDemonstrate confirmation of tube and device placementIntegrate airway skills into megacode scenariosLesson 9Session 6: Team roles, leadership, closed-loop communication, and CRM techniquesAddresses teaching team dynamics, leadership, and communication in resuscitation, including role clarity, closed-loop communication, CRM principles, and structured debriefing of teamwork behaviors in simulations.
Define team roles in ACLS resuscitationTeach effective code team leadership behaviorsPractice closed-loop communication techniquesApply CRM principles to high-stress eventsDebrief teamwork using behavioral checklistsLesson 10Session 5: Pharmacology in ACLS: indications, dosing, timing, and safe administrationExplains how to teach ACLS pharmacology, including indications, dosing, timing, routes, and safety checks for key drugs, while using case-based methods, medication charts, and error-prevention strategies in simulations.
Review core ACLS drugs and indicationsTeach weight-based and fixed dosing principlesEmphasize timing and sequence with algorithmsPractice medication preparation and labelingAddress medication safety and error prevention
