The management of children is a difficulty, especially in the medical career track. Pediatrics is known as one of the most difficult specialties to take on as a healthcare provider. CPR is no different. Out of the varied CPR programs offered in Canada today, Pediatric Advanced Life Support is one of the most highly sought CPR training programs in Ottawa First Aid. We offer PALS training all week for very affordable rates, compared to other training providers in the area.
Signing Up and Contacting Us
If you need PALS training and certification, just visit us at our training location in the business district. Our offices and phone lines are open from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can contact us during office hours also, expect replies to e-mails and application requests during that time. The form below may be used to start your enrollment and application process but it will only confirmed during the next business day. Enroll today!
Pediatric Cardiac Emergencies
CPR is performed for one major reason – cardiac arrest. When adults get heart attacks, it is usually because of a pre-existing cardiac problem, such as Coronary Artery Disease or CAD, characterized by plaque depositing in the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood. Without enough oxygen reaching the heart, it starts to malfunction and eventually fails.
In children, cardiac arrest happens differently. Pre-existing cardiac conditions, specifically congenital heart problems, are very common in children. However, the main cause for cardiac arrest in children is respiratory in nature. Children who experience respiratory problems and eventually respiratory failure are in great risk for getting a heart attack. The lack of oxygen circulating in the body places great stress on the heart, which causes it to suddenly stop working – hence cardiac arrest in children being called asphyxial arrest.
The PALS Program in Ottawa First Aid
Ottawa First Aid offers different CPR training programs throughout the week, among them being Pediatric Advanced Life Support training. It is 14 hours long, spread out over two days. Recertification classes are available as well; they run shorter, only one day is needed to complete recertification training. In a PALS program, the focus is management of pediatric cardiac arrest in a medical setting.
PALS training involves the following topics in their curriculum:
- Basic CPR skills (compressions and ventilation) for (1) infants, (2) toddlers and pre-schoolers, and (3) older school-age children.
- Defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion for pediatric patients
- Pediatric cardiac pharamacology
- Intraosseous and intravenous access
- Introduction to the “code” team and team dynamics
A PALS certificate (and other certificates awarded to students by Ottawa First Aid) have a validity period of five years. Students can renew their certificates at a PALS re-certification program, available also at our provider. The training credentials you receive from us are valid all over Canada, and meet whatever requirements you may need them for.
In order to pass PALS training and receive a training credential, you must have complete attendance and passing grades on (1) the written and (2) practical exams. The exams – called certification exams – are usually scheduled on a separate day from training.