Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is internationally recognised as the leading continuing education programme for pre-hospital emergency trauma care.  PHTLS is accredited by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).

The course emphasises the need for rapid assessment of the critical trauma patient, treatment of shock & hypoxaemia, and transportation to an appropriate receiving hospital.

Course outcomes

The course builds upon each participant’s current knowledge and skills to enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, stresses teamwork between providers with diverse levels of knowledge, skills, and resources, and offers a safe environment in which students can practice trauma assessment and treatment skills. On completion of the course the candidate will be able to:

• Understand the pathophysiology of trauma
• Perform a scene assessment and primary survey
• Manage the trauma patient’s airway
• Optimise management of the patient to correct hypoxia
• Optimise management of the patient to correct hypovolaemia
• Perform a secondary assessment
• Manage a variety of trauma conditions in differing environments
• Operate as part of a multi-disciplinary team engaged in the management of trauma patients

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at any person engaged in the delivery of prehospital care to trauma patients.  It is taught in accordance with the PHTLS syllabus but also has a strong emphasis on hazardous and industrial rescue environments.

What does the course cover?

• The pathophysiology of trauma
• Scene assessment and primary survey
• Airway management
• Breathing, ventilation and oxygenation
• Circulation and hypovolaemia
• Management of disability
• Secondary assessment
• Trauma conditions and specific management
• Teamworking

How will the course be delivered?

This course is delivered over two days and can be delivered at your venue if appropriate or at our centre in North Wales, where you will have the opportunity to experience a variety of hazardous and industrial environments.

Assessment

The course is assessed through written examination (multiple choice questionnaire) and practical scenarios.

Certification

On completion of the course, you will receive an NAEMT Certificate that is valid for 4 years.