Level 4 Out of Hospital Immediate Life Support (ILS) Course in Devon

Designed specifically for healthcare professionals and emergency responders operating outside hospital environments, this nationally recognised Qualsafe qualification develops the advanced clinical skills required to manage patient deterioration, support airway interventions and participate effectively in life-saving resuscitation attempts.

Delivered by experienced pre-hospital clinicians with extensive frontline experience, this course combines current clinical guidelines with realistic scenario-based training to build confidence, competence and decision-making under pressure.

Based in Newton Abbot, Devon, we welcome learners from across Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay, Cornwall, Somerset and the wider UK.

To attend this course, learners must hold a Level 4 First Response Emergency Care (FREC 4) qualification or higher.

Why Take an Immediate Life Support (ILS) Course?

Patients can deteriorate rapidly in out-of-hospital environments. Early recognition, effective assessment and timely intervention can significantly improve outcomes.

This qualification equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to:

• Recognise and respond to patient deterioration
• Manage adult cardiac arrest situations
• Support advanced airway management
• Deliver effective ventilation and oxygen therapy
• Interpret patient monitoring data
• Work effectively within a resuscitation team
• Apply current Resuscitation Council UK and JRCALC guidance
• Improve clinical decision-making in time-critical emergencies

The course is designed around the challenges faced by clinicians working in pre-hospital, community, remote and urgent care settings.

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for professionals who may be required to assess and manage critically ill patients outside of a hospital environment, including:

• First Response Emergency Care (FREC) practitioners
• Associate Ambulance Practitioners (AAPs)
• Ambulance Support Workers
• Emergency Care Assistants
• Registered Nurses
• Paramedics
• Community Healthcare Professionals
• Military Medical Personnel
• Police and Specialist Response Teams
• Offshore and Remote Area Medics

Learners should already possess a clinical background and operate within a defined scope of practice.

Entry Requirements

To enrol on this qualification learners must:

• Be aged 18 years or over
• Hold a Qualsafe Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 4) or a higher healthcare qualification
• Be currently working within a pre-hospital or out-of-hospital care role

If you do not yet hold FREC 4, we recommend completing FREC 3 and progressing through the recognised pre-hospital care pathway before undertaking this qualification.

What Will You Learn?

Adult Immediate Life Support

Develop the knowledge and practical skills required to manage adult cardiac arrest and peri-arrest patients.

Topics include:

• Recognition of cardiac arrest
• Adult resuscitation algorithms
• Team-based resuscitation
• Medical cardiac arrest management
• Traumatic cardiac arrest management
• Safe use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Recognition of Patient Deterioration

Learn how to identify early warning signs and intervene before a patient’s condition becomes critical.

Training includes:

• Structured patient assessment
• Clinical decision making
• Forming a working diagnosis
• Escalation and referral processes
• Management priorities

Airway Management and Ventilatory Support

Develop confidence in airway management techniques used in pre-hospital care.

Skills covered include:

• Oropharyngeal airway (OPA) insertion
• Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) insertion
• Supraglottic airway insertion
• Oxygen administration
• Suction techniques
• Ventilation support

Clinical Monitoring

Gain experience using monitoring equipment commonly encountered in pre-hospital practice.

Including:

• Pulse oximetry (SpO₂)
• Non-invasive blood pressure monitoring (NIBP)
• End tidal carbon dioxide monitoring (ETCO₂)
• 3-lead ECG monitoring
• 12-lead ECG acquisition

Practical Scenario Training

We believe learners retain skills best through realistic application.

Throughout the course you will participate in practical scenarios that replicate real-world emergencies, helping you develop:

• Leadership skills
• Communication under pressure
• Team resource management
• Clinical reasoning
• Patient assessment techniques

Our scenario-based approach bridges the gap between classroom learning and operational practice.

Assessment

To achieve the qualification learners must successfully complete:

• Two practical assessments
• One airway and ventilatory support skills assessment
• One multiple-choice examination consisting of 20 questions

Certification

Successful candidates receive the:

Qualsafe Level 4 Award in Out of Hospital Adult Immediate Life Support (RQF)

The qualification is regulated and recognised throughout the UK and is valid for one year.

Annual refresher training is recommended to maintain competence and remain aligned with current clinical guidelines.

Training Location

Courses are delivered from our training centre in:

Optimal First Aid Ltd
5 Ash Hill Road
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 1JB

We also provide group bookings and on-site delivery throughout:

• Devon
• Exeter
• Plymouth
• Torbay
• Cornwall
• Somerset
• Dorset
• South West England

UK-wide delivery is available for organisations requiring group training.

Why Choose Optimal First Aid Ltd?

At Optimal First Aid, we combine regulated qualifications with genuine operational experience.

Our instructors have backgrounds in:

• Pre-hospital emergency care
• Ambulance services
• Military medicine
• Remote and austere environments
• Rescue and emergency response operations

This ensures training remains practical, relevant and aligned with the realities of working outside traditional healthcare settings.

When you train with us, you benefit from:

• Small class sizes
• Hands-on practical learning
• Realistic clinical scenarios
• Modern training equipment
• Supportive learning environment
• Experienced instructors with frontline operational backgrounds

Progress Your Clinical Career

The Out of Hospital ILS qualification forms part of a recognised development pathway for pre-hospital practitioners.

Many learners progress from:

• FREC 3
• FREC 4
• Out of Hospital Immediate Life Support (ILS)
• Advanced pre-hospital and specialist clinical qualifications

Our team can help you identify the most appropriate route based on your current role and career goals.