Course Details
DURATION
7.5 hours

This course covers:

  • Recognition of respiratory distress, shock, and cardiac arrest
  • Appropriate lifesaving interventions to take within the initial minutes of response until the child is transferred to an advanced life support provider
  • High-performance team dynamics.

PEARS training is intended for any healthcare provider and others who might encounter pediatric emergency situations in the course of their work, including:

  • Physicians and nurses not specializing in pediatrics
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Physician assistants
  • Emergency medical technicians
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Prehospital and in-hospital healthcare providers (outside of critical-care areas)
  • Outpatient clinic staff
  • School-based providers.

Course takes approximately 7.5 hours (without breaks) and is given in an Instructor-led training session. Passing a video-based written exam and skills test with a grade of 84% or higher is required for the awarding of a PEARS course completion card.

Pre-course Requirements

You should prepare for the course as follows:

  1. BLS Competency: Be prepared to pass the Skills Tests for 1-Rescuer and 2-Rescuer Child and Infant BLS with AED. You will not be taught how to do CPR or how to use an AED during the course. You must know this in advance. The resuscitation scenarios require that your BLS skills and knowledge are current. Review and understand all 2015  BLS guidelines, especially as they relate to pediatric patients. You may find this information in the BLS Provider Manual.
  2. PEARS Algorithms and Flowcharts: Be familiar with the PALS algorithms and flowcharts so that you can apply them to clinical scenarios. Note that the PEARS Course does not present the details of each algorithm.
  3. Supplement Your Knowledge: Review and understand the information in the PEARS Provider Manual and on the Pre-course Assessment. Pay particular attention to the Systematic Approach to Pediatric Assessment, the Evaluate-Identify-Intervene Model, and the Management of Respiratory and Circulatory Abnormalities.

Text and Learning

The American Heart Association requires ALL students to bring the 2015 PEARS Manual to class. There are NO EXCEPTIONSYou may purchase the book online at Defibthis.com when you register for the class or stop in to our student store and pick it up. You can also purchase the hard copy at http://aha.channing-bete.com or the less expensive ebook at https://ebooks.heart.org.

It is acknowledged that the manuals are very expensive.  They are an AHA requirement that allows us to provide you with a valid AHA card at the end of your course.  We have books on hand for purchase if needed, but we also encourage you to shop around for the best value. You may also ask your friends, put it out on Facebook, or go to your hospital’s medical library as they often have copies on hand for just this occasion!

Erin D.

I took the AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) training at Defib This previously and came back to renew my ACLS. The instructors and instructors in training were awesome with both teaching in an understandable way and sharing relevant stories to help with learning. I highly recommend Defib This for your BLS and ACLS certifications. They even provide coffee and snacks!

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Alan S.

The service was great, the facility looked clean and the instructors were great giving the class. Keep up the great work!

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J H.

I’ve been using Defibthis , for a few years now , since moving to the area , it’s my
“go to”, for my ACLS/PALS.. the schedule is very accommodating, with plenty of options for either online , or in person classes . The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and very personable .

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Andrea L.

Recently got certified for a newer skill. The instructor, Kim, was amazing. She took the time to explain, made the class interesting and kept it real in the sense that she gave realistic examples and scenarios. The facility was easy to find too. I always freak out about parking and the email sent prior to class helped alleviate that because it gave clear instructions on my options of where to park. I appreciate the facility for being organized, clean and having a restroom/water/coffee available. I’ll definitely be back in the future for any renewals. Thank you!

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Testimonial

Here’s what our students are saying…

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Erin D.
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Alan S.
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J H.
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Andrea L.
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