Course Description
Walk into your ACLS course confident with every rhythm on the monitor.
This is our complete rhythm refresher for health professionals preparing for a Heart & Stroke ACLS provider course. You'll build one systematic approach, then work through each rhythm family: how to recognize it, what makes it dangerous and what decision it drives. The last module ties it together the way ACLS does: pulse or no pulse, stable or unstable, too fast or too slow.
What you'll learn
1. The systematic approach: ECG paper and normal intervals, calculating rate, regularity, P waves, PR and QRS, and spotting artifact.
2. Sinus rhythms: normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia and tachycardia, and sinus arrhythmia.
3. Atrial and junctional rhythms: PACs, SVT, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and junctional rhythms.
4. Ventricular and arrest rhythms: PVCs, VT and torsades, VF, asystole, PEA, and CPR artifact during rhythm checks.
5. AV blocks: first-, second- and third-degree blocks, and which ones can fail suddenly.
6. Putting it together for ACLS: shockable or not, stable or unstable, narrow or wide tachycardias, when to consider pacing, and paced rhythms.
Course details
- Online and self-paced, about 90 minutes
- 6 modules, 36 lessons and 7 interactive rhythm-sorting activities
- A graded quiz after every module and a 20-strip final rhythm check: 80% to pass, unlimited attempts, with explanations after each attempt
Best for: anyone taking ACLS for the first time, or who hasn't read rhythms in a while.
The essentials of rhythm recognition in about 45 minutes.What you'll learn
- A systematic approach: assess the patient first, read ECG paper, calculate rate, then check regularity, P waves, PR interval and QRS width.
- Core ACLS rhythms at a glance: sinus, atrial and junctional, ventricular and arrest rhythms, AV blocks and pacing.
- Rhythm check: a 12-question graded check on real rhythm strips.
Course details
- Online and self-paced, about 45 minutes
- 3 modules, 8 short lessons and an interactive practice activity
- Graded 12-question rhythm check: 80% to pass, unlimited attempts, with an explanation for every answer
Best for: providers who read rhythms regularly and want a quick refresh before class.
Important information:
Independent course. The ECG Short Primer, ECG Pre-course Refresher and ECG Refresher plus 12-lead are original educational courses developed by Life Safe Medical Training. They are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or delivered on behalf of Heart & Stroke, and they do not contain Heart & Stroke algorithms, drug doses or course materials. Heart & Stroke and ACLS course names are used only to describe the course these programs help you prepare for.
Not a certification. Completing a course does not provide ACLS, BLS or any other certification, and it does not replace attending a Heart & Stroke ACLS provider course. The certificate of completion confirms only that you completed the online course. Unless stated otherwise, these courses are not accredited for continuing education credit by any professional college or association.
Educational use only. Course content supports learning and does not replace clinical assessment, professional judgment, your employer's policies and protocols, medical direction, or the limits of your professional scope of practice. Always follow current resuscitation guidelines and the algorithms provided in your ACLS provider course.
Currency. Content reflects our understanding of practice at the time of writing (September 2026). Guidelines change, and learners are responsible for keeping their knowledge current.
Access and refunds. Courses are delivered online by invitation after registration. Please see our refund and cancellation policy before purchasing.