Welcome to the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Short Course.
This course is designed as a structured, high-yield companion to help you master the essential concepts, algorithms, and decision-making required in advanced cardiovascular emergencies. It is built to strengthen your clinical reasoning, rhythm recognition, and ability to function confidently within resuscitation scenarios.
Disclaimer:
This ACLS short course is an independent educational resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing the American Heart Association (AHA), ILCOR, or any official ACLS provider.
The content is intended for learning support only. Learners must always follow practices, protocols, and training provided by accredited ACLS centres and certifying organisations.
Goals of the Course
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Recognise life-threatening arrhythmias and initiate the correct ACLS algorithm
- Apply the Adult Cardiac Arrest, Bradycardia, and Tachycardia algorithms accurately
- Understand priorities in airway management and ventilation during ACLS
- Integrate high-quality CPR with advanced interventions
- Select and administer ACLS medications correctly
- Manage post–cardiac arrest care principles
- Identify and treat ACS and stroke presentations
- Function effectively within a resuscitation team and communicate clearly
- Apply ACLS concepts to realistic clinical scenarios
Key Competencies
This course develops the following competencies:
- Rapid ECG rhythm recognition
- Algorithm sequencing and decision-making
- High-quality CPR integration
- Defibrillation and cardioversion principles
- Advanced airway considerations
- IV/IO access and pharmacology
- ROSC and post-arrest care
- Stroke and ACS pathways
- Effective resuscitation team performance
How the Course Is Structured
Each chapter contains:
- A concise High-Yield Summary
- Key algorithm steps and decision points
- Scenario-based MCQs with answers
- Reworded and original exam-style questions
- End-of-chapter rapid reviews
- A final consolidated practice exam
This format allows you to work through chapters sequentially or jump directly into high-yield sections depending on your learning preference.
What to Expect
- Direct, high-impact explanations
- Accurate ACLS content aligned with clinical practice
- No unnecessary wording
- Strong emphasis on real-world application
- A large bank of exam-style questions
- A final practice test to assess readiness
Curriculum
- 8 Sections
- 8 Lessons
- 16 Weeks
- Chapter 1 – Introduction to ACLS2 Items
- Chapter 2: Initial Assessment2 Items
- Chapter 3: BLS Review2 Items
- Chapter 4 – ACLS Survey (A–B–C–D)2 Items
- Chapter 5 – Principles of Early Defibrillation2 Items
- Chapter 6 – Systems Of Care2 Items
- Chapter 7: ACLS Case Scenarios1 Item
- Complete1 Item
Instructor
Clinical Medical Sciences Academy Prep (CMSA Prep) is a comprehensive, expanding postgraduate medical education platform designed to support doctors across multiple disciplines and stages of training. While initially focused on surgical training and CMSA examinations, the platform is intentionally structured to grow beyond surgery to include a broad range of clinical sciences, professional certifications, and postgraduate qualifications.
CMSA Prep provides structured, exam-focused learning resources that integrate foundational sciences, clinical reasoning, and applied knowledge. The platform is developed with a strong emphasis on South African examination standards, healthcare context, and postgraduate training requirements, ensuring relevance and academic rigor at every level.
