CPR Basic and Advanced Life Support Courses

RECOVER CPR – BLS

The RECOVER CPR – BLS (Basic Life Support) Course focuses on replacing the crucial functions of the cardiopulmonary system in patients with acute CPA. In this course, participants will learn about the latest recommendations for performing high-quality BLS, including the approach to rapid diagnosis of CPA, how to tailor chest compressions to individual patients to maximize blood flow, and options for ventilation during CPR.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use the RECOVER Initial Assessment Algorithm, rapidly determine if an unresponsive patient is in cardiopulmonary arrest.
• Demonstrate correct technique for chest compressions in dogs and cats of various sizes and chest conformations to maximize blood flow during CPR.
• Explain the approaches to ventilation during CPR in dogs and cats and the pros and cons of each.

Authored by Daniel J. Fletcher, PhD, DVM, DACVECC, Associate Professor of Emergency and Critical Care at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, this course teaches the evidence-based Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines developed by the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Initiative.

Certification in BLS by the RECOVER Initiative will be conferred upon completion. This online course is a prerequisite to the RECOVER CPR – ALS online course.

RECOVER CPR – ALS

Advanced Life Support (ALS) is initiated after Basic Life Support (BLS) has been started. In this RECOVER CPR – ALS Course, participants will learn about adjunctive therapies that can help improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs and correct physiologic derangements such as arrhythmias or metabolic disturbances secondary to ischemia.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use the RECOVER ECG Algorithm, differentiate the 4 main arrest rhythms: asystole, pulseless electrical activity, ventricular fibrillation, and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
• Based on the ECG rhythm diagnosis, develop a drug treatment plan including vasopressors, parasympatholytics, anti-arrhythmics, fluid therapy, buffer therapy, and treatment of electrolyte disorders.
• Demonstrate safe and effective use of an electrical defibrillator and explain the physiology underlying the use of electrical defibrillation for shockable arrest rhythms.
• Tailor the treatment plan for patients with prolonged cardiopulmonary arrest.
• Employ structured techniques for effective communication and team dynamics during management of an acute medical crisis.

This course, authored by Daniel J. Fletcher, PhD, DVM, DACVECC, Associate Professor of Emergency and Critical Care at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, will help prepare your team and maximize the chance of a successful outcome for your patients.

Certification in ALS by the RECOVER Initiative will be conferred upon completion.

RECOVER CPR – BLS and ALS Recertification Courses

The online recertification courses in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) are made available for veterinary professionals that have taken the original online veterinary CPR courses based on the evidence-based RECOVER CPR guidelines. The certification that was granted is valid for a 2-year period, at which point the veterinary professionals are required to complete the recertification courses in order to renew their certification status.

Given the significant updates in the 2024 RECOVER CPR guidelines, which are now included in the new RECOVER CPR BLS and ALS courses, RECOVER is currently providing all certified learners who purchase recertification courses with access to the new BLS and ALS courses. This provides all learners with access to the new RECOVER CPR BLS and ALS courses and ensures that as many learners as possible get access to this important, newly updated, content. 

The online recertification courses are also used as requirements to maintain one’s status as a RECOVER Certified Rescuer® or RECOVER Certified Instructor®.

To keep your online status current, it’s essential to enroll in recertification courses prior to the expiration of your current courses. There is no grace period. You will receive notices from RECOVER Academy regarding your course expiration. In addition, we recommend putting your course enrollment and completion information on your calendar to ensure that you do not miss your recertification enrollment window. If you miss the window, you will be unable to enroll in recertification and will need to repeat the original courses.