Prehospital Ventilator Life Support (PHVLS)

A Mechanical Ventilation Mastery Workshop for Prehospital and Critical Care Transport Providers

An immersive learning experience on the art and science of mechanical ventilation unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

The Definitive Course for Mechanical Ventilation Training for EMS and Transport Professionals

Training designed to meet the unique challenges of mechanical ventilation care in the out-of-hospital environment.

Workshop Includes

  • Full day of LIVE hands-on interactive training including

    • Minimal lectures. I belive the most effective learning happens when we’re engaged. That’s why all our lessons are hands-on and interactive.

    • Concepts are reinforced through our practical scenarios, which are designed to challenge the learner to think critically, problem-solve, and apply what they’ve learned.

    • Workshop is tailored to your specific equipment and protocols.

  • 8 hours of continuing education credit

  • Upon successful completion of the workshop, students will receive a certification card good for 3 years.

Workshop Requirements

  • Must hold a current A-EMT, Paramedic, RT, or RN license.

    • Physicians are also welcome to attend.

    * Students must attend the entire workshop to receive credit. Partial credit will not be awarded.

Continuing Education Hours

  • RN hours awarded through the California Board of Nursing

  • EMS Hours awarded through our partnership with First Response Team Training, a Colorado approved EMS Training Group

Course covers…

  • Basic principles and importance of early effective mechanical ventilation

  • Equipment and Logistical Challenges in the out-of-hospital environment

  • Critical A&P Review

  • Essential Gas Law and Their Application

  • Effective Delivery of Non-Invasive Ventilation (HFNC / CPAP / BPAP)

  • Managing ETT / Surgical Airways / Supraglottic Devices

  • Breath Types, Vent Settings, Alarms, Triggers, and Limits, including

    • Pressure Control vs. Volume Control

    • Tidal Volume, Respiratory Rate, PEEP, FiO2, Flow, and Driving Pressure,

  • Basic and Advanced Modes available on transport ventilators, including

    • Pressure Support, CMV, Assist Control, SIMV, PRVC, IRV, APRV, ASV

  • Basic and Advanced Patient Monitoring and Troubleshooting, including

    • Blood Gasses, SpO2, EtCO2, and Volumetric Capnography

    • Loops and Pressure / Flow / Volume Waveforms

    • Lung Point-of-Care-Ultrasound

  • Patient Management in the out-of-hospital environment

    • Cardiac Arrest

      Trauma / Burns / Drowning

    • Severe Obstructive and Restrictive Physiology

      • Static and Dynamic Compliance

      • Time Constants

  • Special Population

    • Chronic vented patients

    • Pediatric, Geriatric, Obstetrics

Prehospital Mechanical Ventilation is Supported by both the National Association for EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)

NAEMSP Position Statement on Prehospital Mechanical Ventilation
AARC Position Statement on Pre-Hospital Ventilator Management

National Association for EMS Physicians Position Statement on Prehospital Mechanical Ventilation

NAEMSP recommends the use of invasive mechanical ventilation for hypoxic respiratory failure, hypercapnic respiratory failure, and airway protection. These may be on initial contact from an emergency ground ambulance response, or during interfacility transfers via critical care teams.

EMS Clinicians must Receive Training in the General Principles of Mechanical Ventilation as Well as Detailed Training in the Operation of the Specific System(s) used by the EMS Agency.

American Association for Respiratory Care Position Statement on Pre-Hospital Ventilator Management

It is the position of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) that all persons involved in the setup, initiation, application, and maintenance of mechanical ventilators in the pre-hospital setting be formally trained in both the clinical and disease-specific applications of mechanical ventilation.

The AARC recommends that all pre-hospital providers of mechanical ventilation be required to demonstrate competence, at regular intervals, in the use and manipulation of all mechanical ventilators used during the transport of sick and injured patients.

Registration Fee: $275 per student*

Includes all travel expenses

Minimum Class Size = 12

Maximum class size depends on the number of available ventilators

*Fees for classes held outside the continental US may be different