I love books.  I have hundreds of books on my shelves - many of them are ECG books (surprise!)

Sometimes, though, books are too expensive, too heavy to carry, and become outdated too quickly. This is especially a problem for students.  These days, we have lots of alternatives.

If you like pocket sized books, there are some very good ones out there.  Take a look at the  Pocket Brains (http://www.kg-ekgpress.com) published by Dr. Ken Grauer, MD, who is one of the ECG Guru's visiting experts.  He publishes three Pocket Brains: ACLS, ECG, and ACLS Practice Code Scenarios.  His booklets are so filled with information, they probably should be full-sized books. But, he makes it easier to find specific topics with his Rapid Find indexes. The books are available in e-book versions, as well.  Dr. Grauer also has several blogs on ECG and ACLS topics that complement his books. 

The American Heart Assoc. also publishes a pocket-sized Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care. They are sold  through three publishers: Channing Bete Company, Laerdal Medical Corp., and Worldpoint ECC, Inc.

If you are fully embracing the 21st century, you will want to check out all the apps out there for ECG learning and practice.  You can use apps on your computer, notebook, pad, or smart phone.  Worth checking out are Limmer Creative's (http://Limmercreative.com) apps, because they are compiled from real ECGs with real patient complaints or scenarios. The image quality is excellent, and the company offers bundles of their products, and a web-based Learning Center, which includes an Instructor Console.  Tom Bouthillet, a well-known ECG guru from www.EMS12Lead.com, was the contributer for the 12-Lead ECG challenge.

Be careful as you browse the market for resources. One of our contributing experts, Jason Roediger, recently sent me an ad for a pocket guide where MOST of the information on the sample page was WRONG!  Hard to imagine it was ever proofread!

Pocket books, e books, and apps can save you and your students lots of money, sore backs, and storage space.  If you find a favorite, you may be able to reduce the amount of photocopying and paper handouts you provide for your classes.  Many of their publishers offer free online resources as well.  

If you have a favorite inexpensive resource: booklet, app, pocket guide, etc., that you would like to share with other instructors, please post a comment here!