In this classroom-based, Instructor-led course, students learn how to use a systematic approach to quickly assess, recognize the cause, and stabilize a pediatric patient in an emergency situation. During PEARS, students interact with real patient cases, and realistic simulations and animations to assess and stabilize pediatric patients experiencing respiratory and shock emergencies, and cardiopulmonary arrest. PEARS prepares students to provide appropriate lifesaving interventions within the initial minutes of response until a child can be transferred to an advanced life support provider.

Who should take this course?

The AHA’s PEARS Course is designed for healthcare providers and others who might encounter pediatric emergency situations during their work, including:

•     Physicians and nurses not specializing in pediatrics
•     Nurse practitioners
•     Physician assistants
•     EMTs,
•     Respiratory therapists
•     Prehospital and in-facility healthcare providers (outside of critical-care areas)
•     Outpatient clinic staff
•     School-based providers
•     Any other healthcare provider who infrequently sees critically ill or injured infants and children

What does this course teach?

•     Systematic pediatric assessment
•     Recognition and stabilization of respiratory emergencies
•     Recognition and stabilization of shock emergencies
•     Recognition and stabilization of cardiopulmonary arrest
•     Resuscitation team concept

Course Completion Card

Students who successfully complete the PEARS Course will receive a PEARS Provider course completion card (print or eCard), valid for 2 years. Course completion requirements include:

•     Active participation in the case discussions
•     Active participation in the rescue breathing skills station and cardiac arrest case simulations
•     Pass the skills tests in 1- and 2-rescuer child BLS with AED and 1- and 2-rescuer infant BLS
•     Pass the video-based written exam with a minimum score of 84%