WSIB approved

Heaven Can Wait

Emergency First Aid Training

Heart and Stroke
ACLS, PALS, BLS, and PEARS® Courses

Online/Blended option available

ACLS/PALS Public Signup Courses

Heaven Can Wait is partners with The Surgical Room.

  • We recently completed the PALS weekend course offered by Heaven Can Wait. It was a fantastic course which covered all the important points that we needed to learn or refresh. Our instructor, John, was a highly qualified individual who was very competent is all aspects of the course. The whole experience was fantastic and we learned a lot of important tips. Highly recommend this course for any professional in need to get PALS certified or in need to renew their status. We've already signed up for the renewal 2 years from now!

    — Dr. Sumeet Bhalla
    DDS, RCDC(C), Cert. Pediatric Dentist

  • I found the PALS course to have a lot of knowledge but our instructor presented the course in a clear and concise way. The instructor stressed to follow an organized pattern when doing the practical scenarios. This helps when you are dealing with very stressful emergency situations. I would recommend Heavan Can Wait for offering a very thorough and organized PALS course.

    — Dr. Ian Braverman

  • I found the ACLS course to be very thorough, well organized, and very practical. Katherine taught the course in a clear and concise manner and made it relevant to clinical dental practice. I found the practical part to be difficult at first but Katherine took her time to make sure we understood all the components of each rescue situation. I feel more confident in dealing in ACLS situations. I also enjoyed having the course taught at the dental office where these types of emergencies can happen.

    — Dr. Ian Braverman

  • David Goodman provided us with a top-notch ACLS Course in my own office which was very convenient for us all.

    The Instructor was very experienced, professional and helpful. She gave us personalized attention and ran us through all the clinical situations required of an ACLS course.

    It was a very heavy and thorough course, but well worth it. All in all, the ACLS Course was an excellent experience which has sharpened our skills. We plan on recertifying with Heaven Can Wait in the future.

    — Dr. Christopher J. Cudmore
    Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

  • Recently I had the opportunity to take the PALS course provided by Heavencanwait. I found that David Goodman’s team did a superb job of training us to ensure we would be competent in providing Paediatric Advanced Life Support when needed. Thus I highly recommend Heavencanwait for any office requiring this advanced training.

    — Dr. Neil B. Applebaum
    DDS, Dip. Paediatric Dentistry

  • We used Heaven Can Wait for our in-house ACLS course at MM Family and Sleep Dentistry. They were thorough professionals and they accommodated to all the professional requirements of the attendees taking the course. We highly recommend them and will continue to use them for ACLS and PALS courses. They provided us with excellent service, and we were very happy to use the service.

    — Dr. Jasdev Bhalla
    B.D.S, MSc, FADSA

ALCS class Heaven Can Wait is pleased to offer Heart & Stroke Advanced Life Support courses including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS®) and Basic Life Support (BLS). We provide the convenience of private, in-office training to foster an intimate learning environment for your group. We take care of course registration, supply course materials and bring the equipment to you. Courses are available to you 7 days a week with a 6:1 student to instructor ratio (Heart & Stroke Policy).

The Heart & Stroke courses offer the latest resuscitation science, provide hands-on realistic scenarios, simulations and animations with content that is adaptable to the needs of your group.

  • BLS Course Completion Cards are valid for 1 year
  • ACLS, PALS and PEARS Course Completion Cards are valid for 2 years

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Renewal Course

BLS course

The Basic Life Support (BLS) Renewal course is intended for the healthcare professional and trained first responder who provides care to patients in both the in- facility or prehospital setting, or by those who require Heart and Stroke BLS certification to enter a healthcare-related training program. Same day BLS Renewal courses are included in the ACLS and PALS courses.

This course is an accelerated program designed specifically for the experienced BLS provider. The BLS Renewal course places an emphasis on skills and cognitive retention, therefore, does not re-teach all the components covered in the full BLS Provider course.

Course length

  • ~ 2h 15m

Focus

The BLS Renewal course allows the experienced BLS provider the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge through written exam and skills assessment. This program focuses on reviewing the essential skills rescuers need to know in order to perform high quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations, and provide early use of an AED.

Designed to give students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the following skills used in resuscitation:

  • High quality CPR – Infant, Child and Adult
  • Chain of Survival
  • Early use of defibrillator
  • Multi-rescuer resuscitation (team dynamics)
  • Relief of foreign body airway obstruction – Infant, Child and Adult

Course Prerequisite

One of:

The prerequisite for attendance at the BLS Renewal course is current certification (taken within the last 12 months) in the Heart & Stroke BLS Provider course, or successful completion of the BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge. The BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge is designed to ensure the provider has the baseline knowledge to attend the BLS Renewal course when they do not have a current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider course completion card. The BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge can be completed through the Heart & Stroke at a cost of $10.

BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge Link

*Students without one of these prerequisites will not be permitted to attend the HSFO BLS Renewal course.

Book Course

⇧ Course List

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Provider and Renewal Course

ACLS course

The Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider and Renewal course is intended for healthcare professionals who either guide or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units; physicians, dentists, nurses, paramedics, as well as students in those fields and others who need an ACLS course completion card for employment or other purposes.

It is highly recommended that only those who will use the skills of ACLS within their scope of practice take the ACLS course. Please note that successful completion of the course does not grant permission to practice the skills learned.

Same day BLS Renewal courses are included in the ACLS and PALS courses.

Course length

  • Provider course ~ 12h 30m
  • Renewal course ~ 6h

Focus

This instructor led, blended learning program builds on the foundation of BLS skills. Highlighting the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest care, acute dysrhythmias, stroke and acute coronary syndromes.

Emphasis on 3 major concepts:

  • Crucial importance of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation to patient survival
  • Integration of basic life support with ACLS intervention
  • Importance of effective team interaction and communication during resuscitation

Designed to give students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the following skills used in resuscitation:

  • Systematic approach
  • High-quality CPR
  • Airway management
  • Rhythm recognition
  • Defibrillation
  • Intravenous/intraosseous access (information only)
  • Use of medications
  • Cardioversion
  • Transcutaneous pacing
  • Team dynamics

Course Prerequisite

Providers who take the ACLS Provider or Renewal course, must have a current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider course completion card or have completed a BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge, complete the mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment and be proficient in rhythm interpretation, demonstrate a basic understanding of the essential drugs used in cardiac arrest, bradycardia and tachycardia with and without adequate perfusion.

The Precourse Self-Assessment can be found on the Heart & Stroke Student Website. You can find details on accessing the Student Website in your ACLS Provider Manual. The website provides important supplementary information and videos, as well as a link to the Precourse Self-Assessment. The mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment requires a passing score of 70% or higher in order to print the certificate. It is recommended that you review the ACLS Provider Manual prior to completing the Precourse Self-Assessment.

BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge & Precourse Self-Assessment Link

*Students without one of these prerequisites will not be permitted to attend the ACLS Provider or Renewal course

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⇧ Course List

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Provider and Renewal Course

PALS course

The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider and Renewal course is intended for healthcare professionals who either guide or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units; physicians, dentists, nurses, paramedics, as well as students in those fields and others who need a PALS course completion card for employment or other purposes.

It is highly recommended that only those who will use the skills of PALS within their scope of practice take the PALS course. Please note that successful completion of the course does not grant permission to practice the skills learned.

Same day BLS Renewal courses are included in the ACLS and PALS courses.

Course length

  • Provider course ~ 12h 40m
  • Renewal course ~ 7h 40m

Focus

This instructor led, blended learning program focuses on a systematic approach to pediatric assessment, basic life support, PALS treatment algorithms, effective resuscitation and team dynamics to improve the quality of care provided to seriously ill or injured children, resulting in improved outcomes.

Emphasis on 5 major concepts:

  • Identification and treatment of problems that place the child at risk for cardiac arrest
  • Application of a systematic approach to pediatric assessment
  • Use of the evaluate-identify-intervene sequence
  • Use of PALS algorithms and flowcharts
  • Demonstration of effective resuscitation team dynamics

Designed to give students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the following skills used in resuscitation:

  • Perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation per Heart & Stroke
  • Foundation of basic life support recommendations
  • Differentiate between patients who do and do not require immediate intervention
  • Recognize cardiopulmonary arrest early and begin CPR within 10 seconds of recognition
  • Apply team dynamics
  • Differentiate between respiratory distress and failure
  • Differentiate between compensated and decompensated (hypotensive) shock
  • Preform early interventions in the treatment of shock
  • Differentiate between unstable and stable patients with arrythmias
  • Describe clinical characteristics of instability in patients with arrythmias
  • Implement post-cardiac arrest management

Course Prerequisite

Providers who take the PALS Provider or PALS Renewal course, must have a current Heart & Stroke BLS course completion card or have completed the BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge, complete the mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment, and be proficient in rhythm interpretation, demonstrate a basic understanding of the essential drugs used in the management of cardiac arrest, bradycardia and tachycardia. Providers must be able to combine rhythm interpretation and pharmacology in the management of the pediatric patient.

The Precourse Self-Assessment can be found on the Heart & Stroke Student Website. You can find details on accessing the Student Website in your PALS Provider Manual. The website provides important supplementary information and videos, as well as a link to the Precourse Self-Assessment. The mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment requires a passing score of 70% or higher in order to print the certificate. It is recommended that you review the PALS Provider Manual prior to completing the Precourse Self-Assessment.

BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge Link

*Students without one of these prerequisites will not be permitted to attend the PALS Provider or Renewal course

Book Course

⇧ Course List

Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS®)

Provider Course

PEARS course

The PEARS Provider Course is intended for healthcare professionals who care for pediatric patients, preparing them with foundational skills to assess, recognize, and participate in the initial management of respiratory and/or cardiovascular emergencies and cardiopulmonary arrest. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units, non-critical care units; physicians, dentists, nurses, paramedics, as well as students in those fields, outpatient clinic staff, school-based providers and any other healthcare professional who infrequently sees critically ill or injured infants and children.

The goal of the PEARS Provider Course is to improve outcomes for pediatric patients by preparing healthcare providers in assessment, early recognition, prompt communication, and initial intervention in patients with respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest by using high-performance team dynamics.

Same day BLS Renewal courses are included in the PEARS Provider Course.

Course length

  • Provider course ~ 8h

Focus

The instructor led; case-based approach teaches learners to provide lifesaving interventions to the pediatric population until handover of care to an advanced life support provider can be facilitated.

Emphasis:

  • Systematic Approach to pediatric assessment
  • Leadership: Communication and other important elements of team dynamics as they relate to resuscitation
  • Skills: performing child and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using shock management equipment and a method for giving rapid fluid boluses, and using oxygen delivery and airway management equipment
  • Medical Management: acute respiratory problems, acute circulatory problems and acute cardiac arrest

The PEARS Provider Course is designed to give learners the opportunity to acquire, practice, and demonstrate proficiency in the assessment and management of critically ill pediatric patients.

Course Prerequisite

The prerequisite for attendance at the PEARS Course is current certification (taken within the last 12 months) in the Heart & Stroke BLS Provider course, or successful completion of the BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge. The BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge is designed to ensure the provider has the baseline knowledge to attend the BLS Renewal course when they do not have a current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider course completion card. The BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge can be completed through the Heart & Stroke at a cost of $10.

BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge Link

*Students without one of these prerequisites will not be permitted to attend the PEARS Provider Course

Book Course

⇧ Course List

⇧ Course List

  1. What if I do not have a valid Heart & Stroke BLS card?

    A valid Heart & Stroke BLS completion card is a required prerequisite for the BLS Renewal, ACLS and PALS courses. If your card is expired, you have a BLS card from another agency, have not taken a course in the past 12 months but are confident in your skills through your work, or have a valid BLS card and feel uncertain about your proficiency in BLS, then you are eligible to do the BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge.

  2. I just took my BLS course with Heaven Can Wait (or another agency), and my ACLS/PALS Instructor said I need to have a Heart & Stroke BLS card. Can I take the BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge and present the certificate with my other agency’s certification to meet the prerequisite?

    No. The BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge is only intended for the assessment of the baseline knowledge required to attend the BLS Renewal course. It does not provide you with a Heart & Stroke BLS Provider certification. The prerequisite for advanced courses (ACLS, PALS) is a Heart & Stroke BLS Provider completion card. You would still be required to attend the BLS Renewal course to obtain this BLS Provider completion card to satisfy the prerequisites for advanced courses.

  3. Does Heaven Can Wait offer the BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge?

    The BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge is only offered through Heart & Stroke and must be completed if you do not have a valid Heart & Stroke BLS course completion card in order to take the BLS Renewal course. BLS Renewal Prerequisite Challenge Link

  4. Am I required to know how to interpret 12 lead ECG’s in order to pass the ACLS or PALS courses?

    No, 12 lead interpretation is beyond the scope of the ACLS/PALS provider. You will be given the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in rhythm recognition as it applies to the algorithms.

  5. Does the ACLS/PALS courses teach me how to intubate?

    No. Endotracheal intubation is an advanced skill that should only be performed by an experienced provider. Providers experienced in endotracheal intubation attend advanced airway courses and regularly utilize this skill within their practice. The emphasis of the airway stations in ACLS/PALS is on proficiency in basic airway maneuvers and a review of the advanced airways.

  6. Once I complete the course(s) can I begin practicing the skills I have learned?

    No. Successful completion of the course(s) does not grant the permission to practice the skills learned. You must work within your scope of practice and may require additional sign off with your institute of practice.

  7. What is the difference between a Provider course and a Renewal course?

    The Provider course is designed for those who have not taken ACLS/PALS before, those who are interested in working in areas which resuscitation is expected and those who may have previously taken a Provider course but have had limited exposure since their last Provider course.

    The Provider course is 2 days.

    The Renewal course is designed for those who have previously taken an ACLS/PALS Provider course and are approaching 2 years from their course completion date. Those who have previously taken a Provider course but have had limited exposure can still participate in a Renewal course; given the pace of the Renewal course, those with limited exposure may find it beneficial to participate in a Provider course.

    The Renewal course is 1 day.

  8. How do I access the Heart & Stroke Student Website?

    Access to the Student Website can be found in the ACLS/PALS Provider Manuals or by going to the Training Resources Tab on the Heart & Stroke Resuscitation Portal at cpr.heartandstroke.ca. Please note that a login in required.

  9. I have recently injured myself and it might prevent me from engaging in some of the activities. Does this mean that I can not attend the course?

    If you have any physical condition that might prevent you from engaging in course activities, please tell an instructor. The instructor may be able to adjust the equipment if you have back, knee, or hip problems. 

  10. Am I required to know how to use the equipment prior to attending a course?

    No. Equipment manufacturers may vary amongst different institutions. You will be oriented to the equipment used within the course(s) and provided adequate time to familiarize yourself with its use. It is important to know what equipment your institution utilizes.

  11. Can I book a Heart & Stroke BLS Renewal course separate from ACLS/PALS?

    Yes. BLS Renewal course completion is recommended every year in order to mitigate skill degradation. Heaven Can Wait offers stand-alone BLS Renewal courses to help you maintain currency in certification.

  12. Is there a PEARS Renewal Course?

    No. The PEARS Provider Course is designed for healthcare professionals that do not see sick or injured children on a frequent basis. To ensure that healthcare professionals can demonstrate proficiency, a PEARS Provider Course must be completed every 2 years.

⇧ Course List

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Refund Policy

A “full” non-refundable payment is required to register for the ACLS, PALS and PEARS programs.

If you do not provide notice to reschedule within 10 business days, the full amount will be charged again to register for another date(s). You will only have the ability to reschedule once after which the full amount will be charged again to register for another date(s).