Optimus PULSE – CPR course

Optimus PULSE is an in-person, intensive CPR refresher course developed by our Simulation Training Optimising Resuscitation for Kids (STORK) team. It's designed as a yearly refresher course to help you improve and retain your CPR skills. There is also a short pre-training e-learning course.

Optimus PULSE is based on the rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) learning method. RCDP uses repeated cycles of CPR practice supported by a coach who monitors you closely to achieve a high standard of team based CPR performance.

RCDP learning methods help health care professionals perform better and retain their skills for longer. The American Heart Association and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) recommend RCDP.

We recommend you complete Optimus CORE training or another CPR course before you enrol in Optimus PULSE.

Who the course is for

  • First and second tier responders including doctors and nurses
  • Staff who work in emergency and intensive care settings

Learning outcomes

Optimus PULSE is a practical skills course that helps improve your CPR skills using evidence based methods such as CPR coaching. It also:

  • teaches you how to provide CPR as part of a resuscitation team
  • helps you achieve CPR competency
  • improves your confidence in providing high quality CPR.

Course structure

Optimus PULSE is delivered in 2 parts.

  1. Pre-training e-learning course
  2. In-person training

The individual e-learning course is self-paced. It includes learning videos and quizzes. Make sure you do the e-learning course before you attend the in-person course.

It's important you have basic skills in CPR before you attend the in-person training.

The in-person training takes 2 hours.

We also have a train the trainer online e-learning course that helps prepare instructors for the in-person training. After you do the course, you can run the in-person training yourself using our training plans and content.

Enrol in the e-learning courses

Pre-training e-learning course

If you work for Queensland Health, you can take the course using iLearn on the Queensland Health website.

  1. Register for an account
  2. Search for Optimus PULSE
  3. Select Enrol
  4. Launch the course

If you work outside Queensland Health or you can't access iLearn, use our online learning module. The course content is the same.

In-person training

Contact your local paediatric educator to take part in the Optimus PULSE course.

Hospitals and paediatric medical experts can host the in-person training using our training resources and instructor's manual.

We can also help you provide the training to your staff. Use our online form to contact us and find out more.

Training resources

Optimus PULSE resources are free and open access.

We've made them available to encourage medical educators to use the RCDP method to improve CPR delivery.

Instructor Resources

Please download our Optimus Faculty Resource for access to all instructor manuals, certificates and PowerPoint presentations.

Train the trainer e-learning course

If you're an instructor, you can use our train the trainer course to learn how to provide the in-person training to your staff.

Enrol in the e-learning course using iLearn on the Queensland Health website.

  1. Register for an account
  2. Search for Optimus PULSE TTT
  3. Select Enrol
  4. Launch the course

Tips for instructors

  • Take the train the trainer e-learning course
  • Read the instructor’s manual
  • Email participants the time, date and location of the training
  • Make sure participants have registered for iLearn and completed the Optimus PULSE pre-training e-learning course
  • Print out colour copies of the printable resources from Section 4 of the instructor’s manual PDF for each participant

You should also prepare an in-person training certificate of completion for each participant. Use our online form to get a copy.

Get support

If you need help or would like more information about Optimus PULSE contact us using our online form.

Give feedback

Your feedback helps us improve our courses and learning content. If you delivered the course to your staff please use our instructor feedback form.

Last updated: November 2023