Resuscitation Courses Manchester | RCUK Approved | PLAB Guide Training Centre Manchester
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Choose Your Course
Select a course below to jump straight to its full details and live booking dates. All four courses are delivered at our Manchester centre and carry Resuscitation Council UK certification.
Advanced two-day paediatric resuscitation for clinicians leading emergency care of children.
The one-day adult course most NHS trusts ask for. Bridges BLS and ALS.
One day on recognising and stabilising the critically ill child.
For clinicians nominated as Instructor Potential who want to teach ILS.
Compare at a Glance
Which Course Is Right for Me?
Course
EPALS
Duration
2 days
Patient Group
Infants & children
Best for
Clinicians who lead or form part of a paediatric resuscitation team
Course
ILS
Duration
1 day
Patient Group
Adults
Best for
Anyone who may start resuscitation before the arrest team arrives
Course
PILS
Duration
1 day
Patient Group
Infants & children
Best for
Staff who may meet a deteriorating child but don't lead the arrest team
Course
ILSi
Duration
1 day
Patient Group
Teaching skills
Best for
Clinicians nominated as Instructor Potential on an ILS or PILS course
Still unsure? PILS is the usual starting point for paediatric resuscitation; EPALS is the advanced course above it. ILS is the standard adult requirement for most ward and department roles. Email resus@plabguide.co.uk and we'll advise.
Why Choose Us
RCUK Approved Training
RCUK Approved Centre
Fully approved by the Resuscitation Council UK for ILS, PILS, ILSi and EPALS — certification recognised by NHS employers nationwide.
Expert Clinical Faculty
Taught by certified RCUK instructors and senior clinicians working in NHS emergency and critical care today.
Hands-On Simulation
Advanced adult, child and infant manikins with team-based scenarios that mirror real clinical emergencies.
Small Group Sizes
Deliberately small cohorts mean maximum hands-on time with the equipment and personalised faculty feedback.
Monthly Dates
Regular monthly cohorts plus bespoke in-house group training — flexible enough to fit around a clinical rota.
IMG Specialists
We understand the UK clinical landscape and regularly support international medical graduates building an NHS-ready profile.
Course 01 · RCUK Approved
EPALS
European Paediatric Advanced Life Support
EPALS is the Resuscitation Council UK's advanced paediatric course. Over two days you'll work through the structured approach to the seriously ill or injured child, from early recognition through to leading a full paediatric resuscitation and managing post-resuscitation care.
What You'll Cover
Recognising the Seriously Ill Child
Structured paediatric ABCDE assessment, early warning signs, and intervening before cardiorespiratory arrest occurs.
Airway, Breathing and Circulation Management
Paediatric airway adjuncts, bag-valve-mask technique, oxygen delivery, fluid resuscitation and vascular access including intraosseous.
Paediatric Advanced Life Support Algorithm
Rhythm recognition, defibrillation energy levels in children, weight-based drug dosing and reversible causes of arrest.
Special Circumstances & the Newborn
Trauma, anaphylaxis, sepsis, drowning and the principles of resuscitation at birth.
Team Leadership, Scenarios and Assessment
Non-technical skills, closed-loop communication, post-resuscitation care, and assessed simulated scenarios with faculty debrief.
Who Should Attend
Course 02 · RCUK Approved
ILS
Immediate Life Support
ILS is the course most NHS trusts ask for. In one day it gives you the skills to recognise a deteriorating adult patient, start high-quality resuscitation, and work effectively as part of the arrest team until advanced help arrives. Also available as eILS — online learning followed by a half-day practical session.
What You'll Cover
Recognising the Deteriorating Patient
ABCDE assessment, early warning scores, and recognition and management of peri-arrest arrhythmias.
Basic Life Support & Airway Management
High-quality CPR, airway adjuncts (OPA and NPA), and bag-valve-mask ventilation with supplemental oxygen.
Defibrillation & Rhythm Recognition
Safe use of automated and manual defibrillators, and identifying shockable versus non-shockable rhythms.
The ALS Algorithm in Practice
Applying the RCUK algorithm, working through the reversible causes (4Hs and 4Ts), and the drug sequence.
Team Roles, Scenarios and Assessment
Closed-loop communication, handover to the senior clinician, post-resuscitation care, and observed practical scenarios.
Who Should Attend
Prerequisites: a current BLS certificate, or a BLS update within the previous 12 months. No advanced airway experience needed.
Course 03 · RCUK Approved
PILS
Paediatric Immediate Life Support
PILS prepares you to recognise the critically ill child and deliver effective resuscitation until the paediatric team arrives. It's the natural first step in paediatric resuscitation training and the usual prerequisite mindset before EPALS. Also available as ePILS — online learning plus a half-day practical session.
What You'll Cover
Recognition of the Sick Child
Paediatric ABCDE assessment, early warning scores, and spotting the child at risk before arrest occurs.
Paediatric Basic Life Support
Infant and child BLS sequences, age-specific CPR technique, two-rescuer CPR and correct ventilation ratios.
Paediatric Airway Management
How the child's airway differs, positioning and suction, OPAs and NPAs, and bag-valve-mask technique for infants and children.
Defibrillation & Respiratory Emergencies
Paediatric energy levels and pad placement, plus recognition and initial management of asthma, croup, bronchiolitis and anaphylaxis.
Team Scenarios & Skills Assessment
Facilitated simulation across infant and child age groups, with structured faculty feedback and final assessment.
Who Should Attend
Prerequisites: a current BLS certificate (adult or paediatric). No previous paediatric resuscitation experience beyond BLS is required.
Course 04 · Instructor Development
ILSi
Immediate Life Support Instructor Course
For healthcare professionals nominated as Instructor Potential on an ILS or PILS course. Over one day you'll develop the teaching, feedback and assessment skills needed to become a certified RCUK ILS Instructor.
Check your eligibility before booking
You must have been nominated as Instructor Potential (IP) on a previous ILS or PILS course delivered by an RCUK Approved Centre, your IP status must be confirmed on the RCUK online system, and this course must be completed within 12 months of that nomination. If you're unsure, contact your nominating centre — or email us — before you book.
What You'll Learn
Teaching Life Support Skills Effectively
Structuring and delivering resuscitation teaching to candidates at varying levels of competence.
Delivering Structured Feedback
Giving clear, constructive, evidence-based feedback that builds candidate confidence and competence.
Small Group Teaching & Simulation Facilitation
Facilitating small group learning and running simulation-based resuscitation scenarios.
Instructor-Level Communication
Managing diverse learner groups in high-pressure clinical teaching environments.
Assessment in Resuscitation Training
RCUK assessment standards and how to apply assessment frameworks fairly and consistently.
Who Should Attend
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a doctor to attend?
No. ILS, PILS and EPALS are open to any registered healthcare professional. We regularly train nurses, allied health professionals, paramedics and international medical graduates alongside doctors.
How long are the certificates valid?
RCUK provider certificates are valid for 1 year, after which a renewal course is required. Some NHS trusts have their own renewal requirements, so it's worth checking your employer's policy.
What's the difference between PILS and EPALS?
PILS is a one-day intermediate course covering recognition and immediate management of the critically ill child. EPALS is the advanced two-day course for clinicians who lead paediatric resuscitation. PILS is the recommended starting point.
What's the difference between ILS and ALS?
ILS bridges the gap between Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support. It covers more than BLS but is a shorter course than the full two-day ALS programme.
Are these courses suitable for IMGs joining the NHS?
Yes. ILS in particular is one of the most commonly requested resuscitation certifications for international medical graduates starting NHS work, and we have extensive experience supporting IMGs through it.
What should I bring on the day?
Photo ID, your booking confirmation, and comfortable clothing suitable for practical skills work. All equipment, course materials and refreshments are provided.
Can my trust pay, or can we book as a group?
Many NHS trusts fund or reimburse these courses and we're happy to issue an invoice for your employer. We also offer group bookings and in-house delivery for teams — email resus@plabguide.co.uk for rates and dates.
How do I know if I've been nominated as Instructor Potential?
Your IP nomination is communicated by the faculty of your ILS or PILS course and can be checked on the RCUK online portal. If you're unsure, contact the RCUK Approved Centre that delivered your course before booking ILSi.
Where You'll Train
PLAB Guide Training Centre
Second Floor, 308 Moseley Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 2LH
RCUK Course Enquiries
resus@plabguide.co.uk
Bookings, dates, eligibility and group training for ILS, PILS, ILSi and EPALS.
Who to Contact
RCUK Resuscitation Courses
resus@plabguide.co.uk
ILS · PILS · ILSi · EPALS
First Aid Courses
firstaid@plabguide.co.uk
Workplace and paediatric first aid training
Rental & Venue Hire
training@plabguide.co.uk
Room hire and equipment rental
General Info & Appraisals
info@plabguide.co.uk
Everything else