The Pediatric Chain of Survival

Prevention - Early CPR - Early Activation of EMS - Early ALS

EARLY ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT

ALS is the EMS acronym for advanced life support, which is a service provided by EMS. ALS services are also provided by emergency department and intensive care units. ALS providers have special training providing advanced emergency interventions that are often needed for patients that are critically injured or ill. ALS is highly dependant on BLS, which is basic life support. The skills taught in a CPR class are basic life support skills. If BLS is not provided, or is done poorly prior to the arrival of ALS care, the chances of the survival of the critically injured or ill decreases rapidly. Therapies like endotracheal intubation, administration of drugs and other advanced interventions will often be found to be useless if the victim has been without oxygen for some time.

This is why the basic life support (CPR) class is so important. Providers of ALS have to maintain advanced level certifications like, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS), every twos years in order to understand the current guidelines and to have their competency evaluated. Some EMS systems and agencies require ALS providers to have and maintain multiple certifications in order to qualify for employment. This is not only in the best interest of the public, but the ALS provider as well. Science is constantly progressing, and newer and more effective methods of providing the best patient care are constantly being developed. So it is important that providers are brought up to speed with the most current changes in emergency medicine.

Those who work in emergency services must also maintain a minimum amount of continuing education hours in order to maintain licensure and certification. The amount of hours varies by region but is generally between 48 and 60 hours every two years, in addition to being actively employed in patient care.

Today, emergency care really excels. Paramedics, emergency department staff, and surgery teams, working together save many lives on account of there dedication and commitment to excellence. Emergency teams are constantly being pushed to higher standards, and those who have been in EMS for along time will agree, we have come along way in just a short time. Although ALS care is the last link in the pediatric chain of survival it is a vital one. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and when all of the links in this chain are intact, this will give the pediatric victim of injury or illness the best chance of survival.  

Michael Morales EMT-Paramedic

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• Automated External Defibrillators
• Altered Mental Status
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• First Aid Kit Essentials
• Good Samaritan Laws
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• Pediatric Chain or Survival: Prevention
• Pediatric Chain or Survival: Early CPR
• Pediatric Chain or Survival: Early Activation of EMS
• Pediatric Chain or Survival: Early Advanced Life Support