The UK Resuscitation Council Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) course was launched in 2007. It was developed in response to a demand from healthcare professionals who may have to act as first responders and treat seriously ill children or children in cardiac arrest until the arrival of a cardiac arrest team / the ambulance service.

Who is this course suitable for?

The PILS course is appropriate for the following candidates: Doctors, medical students (final year) and nurses who world closely with children. The PILS course addresses the needs of staff who need more advanced skills than those taught during basic life support (BLS), but who do not require the more comprehensive twoday European Paediatric Advanced Life Support (EPALS) course.

Learning outcomes

The PILS course teaches the knowledge and skills to:

  • Understand the structured ABCDE approach that facilitates rapid recognition of seriously ill children
  • Provide appropriate initial treatment interventions to prevent cardiorespiratory arrest
  • Treat children in respiratory or cardiorespiratory arrest until the arrival of a resuscitation team or more experienced assistance
  • Promote active membership of a paediatric resuscitation team