PILS Courses | Essential paediatric life support skills
Respond Early. Act Confidently. Improve Outcomes.
In paediatric emergencies, early recognition and intervention make the difference.
Our PILS course is designed to give you the confidence and clinical structure to assess and manage the deteriorating child before it becomes a cardiac arrest. This paediatric immediate life support training focuses on practical, real-world application- so you can act quickly, safely, and effectively when it matters most.
If your role involves caring for acutely unwell children, PILS ensures you’re prepared to respond without hesitation.
Why Take a PILS Course?
You don’t need advanced resuscitation training to make a critical impact- you need the ability to recognise and respond early.
The PILS course focuses on the essential skills required to manage paediatric emergencies in the initial stages. Delivered by experienced clinicians, the training is practical, structured, and directly relevant to clinical environments.
You’ll leave the course with a clear approach to assessment, improved confidence in managing deterioration, and the ability to escalate care properly.
For a course on more advanced and complex scenarios, try the EPALS Course.
Who is the PILS Course For?
The paediatric immediate life support course is suitable for healthcare professionals who may be the first to assess and manage a sick child.
This includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other clinicians working in acute, community, or pre-hospital settings. If you are responsible for recognising and responding to paediatric deterioration, this PILS course is highly relevant.
View other medical professional courses available to expand and improve your skills.
What You’ll Learn on the Paediatric Immediate Life Support Course
The PILS course is built around the skills you need to recognise and manage paediatric emergencies early, before they escalate.
During the course, you will learn how to:
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Assess a child using a structured ABCDE approach
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Recognise early signs of deterioration
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Manage airway, breathing, and circulation effectively
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Initiate appropriate first-line treatment
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Eacsalate care safely and at the right time
Alongside these core skills, you’ll develop the confidence to make decisions under pressure and communicate clearly within a team. The focus throughout the paediatric immediate life support training is on practical application- so you can transfer what you learn directly into your clinical environment.
How the PILS Course Works
The PILS course is typically delivered over one day and combines interactive teaching with hands-on practice.
You’ll work through realistic scenarios, skill stations, and guided discussions, with continuous support from experienced instructors. The focus is on applying knowledge in clinical situations, rather than passive learning.
Assessment takes place throughout the course to ensure you can perform safely in practice.
Certification
On successful completion, you’ll receive recognised PILS certification aligned with UK Resuscitation Council standards.
This demonstrates your ability to provide effective paediatric immediate life support and is widely accepted across healthcare settings.
Book Your PILS Course
If your role involves caring for children, being able to respond early is essential.
Our PILS course gives you the skills and confidence to manage paediatric emergencies at the point where it matters more- before they escalate.
Secure your place now and strengthen your clinical response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a PILS course and an EPALS course?
A PILS course focuses on the early recognition and initial management of a deteriorating child, aiming to prevent cardiac arrest in seriously ill children.
An EPALS course is more advanced and covers the full management of paediatric emergencies, including cardiac arrest, advanced airway management, and team leadership. PILS prepares you for early intervention, while EPALS prepares you to manage more complex and critical advanced life support situations.
How long is the PILS certification valid?
Certification is usually valid for four years, after which a refresher course and PILS recertification are recommended to keep up to date with the skills and experience you have gained.
Who should take a PILS course?
The course is suitable for NHS doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance technicians, midwives and other clinicians who may be the first to assess and manage an unwell child.