• Hypoxia: An H&T Reversible Cause of Cardiac Arrest
    Oct 10 2025

    Tips for ACLS providers to consider when evaluating hypoxia as a possible cause of cardiac arrest and what we can do to correct it.

    Determining hypoxia using a pulse oximeter or arterial blood gasses (ABGs).

    A goal of ACLS is to recognize signs of hypoxia and provide timely treatment to prevent an arrest.

    Examples of some things that might lead us to think of hypoxia as a cause of cardiac arrest.

    Why pulse ox doesn’t give accurate readings during CPR.

    Delivering ventilations with near 100% oxygen concentration using a BVM attached to supplemental O2 and a reservoir.

    Using end tidal waveform capnography to assess the quality of CPR.

    Changes to ventilation rates, tidal volume, and O2 concentration affects a patient's oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH.

    The danger of excessive ventilation of a patient in cardiac arrest.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

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    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins
  • Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
    Oct 9 2025

    Review the ECG characteristics of SVT & sinus tachycardia and the treatment of unstable vs stable patients with cardioversion & medications.

    Signs & symptoms that indicate a patient is unstable.

    Delivery of a synchronized shock for the treatment of unstable SVT using a biphasic vs monophasic defibrillator.

    Consideration for team safety while performing synchronized cardioversion.

    Actions to take immediately if an unstable patient we’ve cardioverted goes into a pulseless rhythm.

    Management of stable patients in SVT.

    For more free information on narrow complex tachycardias, check out the pod resource page at passacls.com.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins
  • Epinephrine Administration During Cardiac Arrest
    Oct 8 2025

    When to give the first dose of epinephrine, its route, repeat frequency, & maximum dose following ACLS's Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    Epinephrine is the first IV medication we administer to patients in cardiac arrest.

    When we give the first dose of epinephrine depends on whether the patient is in a shockable or non-shockable rhythm.

    When to give the first dose of epinephrine and its frequency for patients in asystole or PEA following the right side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    When to give the first dose of epi and its frequency for patients in V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach following the left side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    Example chronology of events for a scenario where a patient is found unresponsive with only gasping/agonal breathing.

    Administration of epi via the IO or endotracheal route in the absence of an IV.

    The maximum cumulative dose of epinephrine that can be administered to patients in cardiac arrest.

    When do we stop administering epinephrine.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    5 mins
  • IO & ETT Medication Administration
    Oct 7 2025

    The pros and cons of ACLS medication administration via intraosseous (IO) or endotracheal tube (ETT) route when IV access isn't available.

    IO vs ETT as an alternative route.

    The locations we should place an IO when running a code.

    The ACLS medications that can be given intraosseous.

    Where you can find more information about intraosseous access during resuscitation efforts.

    In the absence of an IV or IO, some medications may be given down the endotracheal tube.

    The disadvantages of medication administration via ETT.

    Review of the medications that can be given down the tube and how they should be given.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins
  • Prehospital Capabilities and EMS Destination Protocols for STEMI & Stroke
    Oct 6 2025

    Prehospital EMS capabilities and why paramedic-staffed ALS ambulances make a difference in the early identification & treatment of STEMI and stroke.

    The chain of survival for a cardiac emergency and stroke.

    ALS ambulances are staffed with paramedics who have training in ACLS skills.

    Why EMS Destination Protocols for suspected stroke and STEMI make a difference.

    ACLS’s timed benchmarks for:

    • point of first medical contact to PCI for ST elevation MI;
    • door to tPA for ischemic stroke; and
    • onset of symptoms to EVT for LVO strokes.

    Why EMS should bypass a close hospital to transport a STEMI or suspected stroke patient to a hospital capable of 24/7 PCI or a certified stroke center.

    Check out the Pod Resource page at passacls.com for links to the "EMS On Air" podcast for links to episodes that look at EMS's role in stroke outcomes in the rural vs urban area.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Review
    Oct 3 2025

    The use of an AED to improve cardiac arrest outcomes including: attaching the pads during CPR; following prompts; and safely administering a shock.

    Why we should use an AED.

    The general use of AED.

    including: indications for use; attaching the AED pads; following verbal prompts; and safely administering a shock.

    Following the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm while using an AED.

    Contraindications to AED use.

    General safety considerations to remember.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    6 mins
  • Asystole & Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
    Oct 2 2025

    Review the Asystole/PEA side of the Cardiac Arrest algorithm including: epinephrine administration, advanced airways, causes of PEA, and when to stop.

    For apneic patients without a carotid pulse or patients with only gasping/agonal respirations, we will follow the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    For pulseless patients that the AED doesn't advise a shock, the patient's ECG shows asystole, or a non-perfusing organized rhythm (PEA), we will follow the right side of the Adult Cardiac Arrest algorithm.

    Initial steps are aimed at delivery of high-quality CPR to keep the brain and vital organs alive.

    Epinephrine administration.

    Placement of an advanced airway.

    Considering possible reversible H & T causes of cardiac arrest including three common causes of PEA and their emergent interventions.

    When we should discontinue resuscitation efforts and call the code.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

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    7 mins
  • CPR Songs
    Oct 1 2025

    Many CPR classes use songs like "Stayin Alive" to help compressors maintain a fast rate.

    Advantages, disadvantages, and a selection of good CPR songs.

    Providing good, high-quality CPR with minimal interruptions and early defibrillation are two key interventions shown to improved cardiac arrest outcomes.

    A training tool used in many CPR and ACLS classes is to use a song (or a song list) to help the person doing chest compressions maintain an adequate rate.

    Characteristics of songs that will help us perform good CPR.

    Advantages & disadvantages of using a song during CPR.

    Selected songs from various genres and time periods from AHA's "Don’t Drop The Beat" playlist on Spotify.

    **American Cancer Society (ACS) Fundraiser

    This is the seventh year that I'm participating in Men Wear Pink to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the American Cancer Society's life-saving mission.

    I hope you'll consider contributing.

    Every donation makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

    Paul Taylor's ACS Fundraiser Page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paultaylor

    THANK YOU for your support!

    Good luck with your ACLS class!

    Links:

    Buy Me a Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/paultaylor

    Free Prescription Discount Card - Get your free drug discount card to save money on prescription medications for you and your pets: https://safemeds.vip/save

    Pass ACLS Web Site - Other ACLS-related resources: https://passacls.com

    @Pass-ACLS-Podcast on LinkedIn

    AHA's CPR Songs on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mU2FNAhSOtQwW0hBgQMaK

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    4 mins