Immediate Life Support (ILS)
Recognising deterioration and responding quickly to a medical emergency can be critical to patient safety. Healthcare and care professionals need to identify signs of deterioration, carry out an appropriate initial assessment and take prompt action when a person becomes critically unwell or suffers a cardiac arrest.
This CPD-accredited Immediate Life Support (ILS) course is designed for nurses, healthcare assistants, care workers, support workers and other professionals who may need to respond to a deteriorating or critically ill person. Learners will develop knowledge of recognising deterioration, core emergency assessment, cardiac arrest response, peri-arrest situations and reversible causes, while applying their learning through scenario-based and competence-focused practice.
CPD Accredited
Certificate Included
Learn at Your Own Pace
1 hour
6 MODULES
Early recognition and response
Immediate life support skills
*For individual learners. Need to train multiple staff? See Organisation pricing
Why This Course Matters
Improve confidence in recognising signs of clinical deterioration.
Develop a structured approach to responding to medical emergencies.
Understand the immediate response to suspected cardiac arrest.
Recognise peri-arrest situations and understand the importance of reversible causes.
Support safer emergency response through effective assessment, escalation and communication.
Did You Know?
Cardiac arrest can happen unexpectedly, and early recognition with prompt CPR and defibrillation can significantly influence outcomes. Knowing how to recognise deterioration and begin an appropriate emergency response can help care and healthcare professionals act more confidently while additional clinical support is being arranged.
Why Learn With Carelearner
CPD Accredited Certificate
100% Online & Self-Paced Learning
Instant Digital Certificate on Completion
Works on Desktop, Tablet & Mobile
Industry Best Practice
Earn Your CPD Certificate
Complete the course and pass the final assessment to receive a CPD-accredited certificate ready to download, print and keep on file for inspection.
What's Inside the Course?
Here are the modules you will cover in this course:
Recognising the Deteriorating Patient
Explores how to identify early signs of clinical deterioration, changes in a person's condition and warning signs that require prompt assessment and escalation.
Core Emergency Assessment Skills
Covers the key principles of an initial emergency assessment, including assessing responsiveness, airway, breathing and circulation and obtaining appropriate help.
Cardiac Arrest Response
Explains the immediate response to suspected cardiac arrest, including recognising cardiac arrest, starting appropriate life support measures, CPR and understanding the role of an AED.
Peri-Arrest and Reversible Causes
Explores situations where a person is at immediate risk of cardiac arrest and introduces potentially reversible causes that should be considered when responding to a critically unwell person.
Simulation and Competence
Brings together the key principles of immediate life support through realistic scenarios, helping learners apply assessment, communication, escalation and emergency response principles.
Who Is This Course For?
- 1. Nurses
2. Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)
3. Care Workers
4. Support Workers
5. Senior Carers
6. Residential & Nursing Home Staff
7. Domiciliary Care Staff
8. Supported Living Staff
9. Agency Care Professionals
10. Health & Social Care Professionals
Meet the Expert Behind Your Course
Manu Thomas is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Former CQC Specialist Advisor and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Fellow. As the Founder of Pentafold Ltd and CareLearner, and a member of a NICE professional committee, he brings extensive clinical, regulatory, and healthcare innovation expertise to the development of this course.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Receive a CPD-accredited certificate upon successful completion.
Strengthen your professional portfolio with accredited Immediate Life Support training.
Recognise common signs of clinical deterioration and understand when to escalate concerns.
Apply the principles of initial emergency assessment when responding to an unwell person.
Explain the appropriate immediate response to cardiac arrest, including CPR and AED awareness.
Understand peri-arrest situations, reversible causes and the importance of effective emergency response.
FAQ
What is Immediate Life Support (ILS)?
Immediate Life Support is an approach to recognising and responding to a deteriorating or critically ill person, including providing appropriate initial life support when cardiac arrest occurs while awaiting further clinical assistance.
Who should take this ILS course?
This course is suitable for nurses, healthcare assistants, care workers, support workers, senior carers and other health and social care professionals who may need to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration or an emergency.
What does the course cover?
The course covers recognition of deterioration, emergency assessment, cardiac arrest response, peri-arrest situations, reversible causes and scenario-based application of immediate life support principles.
Does the course cover CPR?
Yes. CPR is covered as part of the cardiac arrest response. Learners develop an understanding of the principles of recognising cardiac arrest and initiating appropriate life support measures.
Does the course cover AED use?
Yes. The course introduces the role of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in cardiac arrest response and how it forms part of the emergency response alongside CPR.
What is meant by a deteriorating patient?
A deteriorating patient is someone whose physical condition is worsening and who may require urgent assessment and intervention. Recognising changes early can allow appropriate action and escalation to take place sooner.
What are reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
Reversible causes are conditions that may contribute to cardiac arrest and can potentially be identified and treated as part of an appropriate advanced emergency response. The course introduces these causes and their importance when considering why a person may deteriorate.
Does this course replace practical ILS training?
This course provides CPD learning and knowledge around immediate life support. It should not be assumed to replace hands-on ILS training, practical assessment or workplace competency requirements where these are required by an employer, professional body or clinical setting.
Is this course CPD accredited?
Yes. This Immediate Life Support course is CPD accredited, demonstrating recognised continuing professional development. Upon successful completion, learners receive a CPD-accredited certificate that can be used as evidence of ongoing professional learning.
Can I complete this course on my phone?
Yes. The course is fully responsive and can be completed on desktop, tablet or mobile devices. Learn at your own pace, wherever and whenever it suits you.
Ideal for one learner
£24
+VAT
Full course access, CPD certificate and unlimited assessment retakes included.
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