Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS)

• 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.

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.

The American Heart Association requires ALL students to bring the 2015 PEARS Manual to class. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. You 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!