ALS Insights – Life Support Institute of Australia

Life Support Institute of Australia
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ANZCOR-aligned ALS and CPD insights for Australian paramedics, nurses and doctors. Short, practical episodes on high-quality CPR, reversible causes, algorithms and more. From Life Support Institute — creators of the flexible online ALS course (10 CPD hours, personalised certificate, study from anywhere)

Episodes

  1. May 31

    The Fallacy of pulse checks with CPR

    Why You Should Stop Using Pulse Checks to Gauge CPR Quality In the middle of a cardiac arrest, it’s tempting to reach for a pulse to see if your compressions are working. But what if that reassuring pulse you feel isn’t what you think it is? In this episode, we explore why manual pulse checks during CPR are often unreliable. Evidence shows they can be misleading in up to 50% of cases, frequently detecting retrograde venous pulsations rather than true arterial flow. This false confidence can lead teams to unintentionally ease off on compression quality when it matters most. We break down: Why ANZCOR no longer recommends pulse checks as a measure of CPR qualityThe superiority of waveform capnography (ETCO2) for monitoring resuscitation effectivenessHow a sudden rise in ETCO2 is one of the best early signs of ROSCPractical team strategies to maintain high-quality CPR without unnecessary interruptionsIf you’ve ever paused or adjusted compressions based on a pulse check, this episode will change how you approach resuscitation forever. Listen now for clear, ANZCOR-aligned insights you can apply on your very next shift. #CPR #PulseCheck #ETCO2 #Capnography #ALS #Resuscitation #ANZCOR #FOAMed #AdvancedLifeSupport

    6 min

  2. May 15

    The Adrenaline Paradox

    Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a key drug in ANZCOR-aligned ALS for cardiac arrest — but what's really happening? Its alpha-adrenergic effects cause vasoconstriction, boosting coronary and cerebral perfusion to improve ROSC chances. The beta-adrenergic side ramps up heart rate and contractility... which can spike myocardial oxygen demand and contribute to poorer neurological outcomes in survivors. We cover the basics: standard 1 mg dosing, timing in shockable rhythms, and why evidence shows ROSC gains but often no long-term neuro benefit — or even risks. Quick, practical insights for paramedics, nurses, and doctors.

    6 min

  3. Apr 25

    A shift in temperature: The death of therapeutic hypothermia

    Is induced hypothermia dead? In this episode, we dive into the shifting paradigm of Advanced Life Support (ALS) post-resuscitation care. Following the TTM-2 trial and updated ILCOR/ANZCOR guidelines, the focus has shifted from deep therapeutic hypothermia (32–34°C) to strict fever prevention and targeted normothermia (36°C) for comatose post-cardiac arrest patients. We discuss the evidence, the dangers of over-cooling, and how to implement effective post-arrest care to improve neurological outcomes.  Topics Covered: Why the "cool everything" approach failed.Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) vs. Therapeutic Hypothermia.Fever prevention as the new standard (≤37.5°C).Management of shivering and rewarming strategies.

    7 min

  4. Mar 9

    One-Stop Shock Protocol – Advanced Defibrillation Team Flow (Episode 4)

    Episode 4 of ALS Insights: now we bring it all together with the One-Stop Shock Protocol – the advanced, ANZCOR-aligned team flow that minimizes interruptions and delivers the shock safely and fast. Builds directly on Episodes 1–3 (high-quality CPR, AED mechanics, shock physiology) to show how to integrate rhythm analysis, clear commands, hands-off safety, and immediate post-shock CPR. Perfect for paramedics, nurses, and rural/remote teams wanting seamless arrest management. From Life Support Institute – flexible online ALS course (10 CPD hours, personalised certificate, study from anywhere). Enrol at lifesupportinstitute.com.au.

    6 min

  5. Mar 7

    Why AED Shocks Actually Stop the Heart – Deeper Physiology Explained

    Episode 3 of ALS Insights: a deeper physiological look at why AED shocks actually stop the heart during VF/pulseless VT. Explains ion channel effects, depolarization, critical mass theory, and how stopping chaotic rhythm allows the SA node to restart. ANZCOR-aligned insights for paramedics, nurses, and doctors. Builds on Episode 2's mechanics with more science. From Life Support Institute – flexible online ALS course (10 CPD hours, personalised certificate, study from anywhere). Enrol at lifesupportinstitute.com.au.

    20 min

  6. Mar 7

    How an AED Really Works – Defibrillation Mechanics Explained (Episode 2)

    Episode 2 of ALS Insights: a clear, ANZCOR-aligned explanation of how an AED really works in cardiac arrest. Covers pad placement, impedance detection, energy delivery, biphasic waveforms, safety checks, and common myths. Ideal refresher for paramedics, nurses, rural/remote healthcare workers, and anyone needing CPD hours. From Life Support Institute – flexible online ALS course (10 CPD hours, personalised certificate, study from anywhere). Enrol at lifesupportinstitute.com.au."

    7 min

  7. Mar 5

    High-Quality CPR – ANZCOR Guidelines Explained

    First episode of ALS Insights: a practical breakdown of high-quality CPR according to current ANZCOR guidelines. Focus on compression depth, rate, recoil, and team coordination in cardiac arrest. Perfect refresher for paramedics, nurses, rural/remote healthcare workers, and anyone needing CPD hours. Brought to you by Life Support Institute – creators of the flexible online ALS course (10 CPD hours, personalised certificate, study from anywhere). Visit lifesupportinstitute.com.au to enrol

    5 min
  • 7 Episodes

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ANZCOR-aligned ALS and CPD insights for Australian paramedics, nurses and doctors. Short, practical episodes on high-quality CPR, reversible causes, algorithms and more. From Life Support Institute — creators of the flexible online ALS course (10 CPD hours, personalised certificate, study from anywhere)

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