Prehospital Trauma Life Support

PHTLS is the international standard in prehospital trauma education, recognized and taught in more than 60 countries. Developed by NAEMT in cooperation with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, PHTLS is built on the principle that prehospital providers -- given a solid foundation of knowledge and key clinical principles -- are capable of making sound decisions about trauma patient care without step-by-step protocols.

The 16-hour course covers the full scope of multi-system trauma assessment and management, using the PHTLS patient assessment and management algorithm as the framework for all clinical decision-making.

Topics covered include:
- Physiology of life and death
- Scene assessment and threat recognition
- Patient assessment using the PHTLS algorithm
- Airway management and ventilation
- Breathing, oxygenation, and chest trauma
- Circulation, hemorrhage control, and shock management
- Traumatic brain injury and spinal motion restriction
- Special patient populations
- Patient simulations and practical scenarios

Completion awards a certificate of completion, a 4-year PHTLS provider wallet card, and 16 hours of CAPCE credit. PHTLS is recognized by NREMT.

PHTLS is appropriate for EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and other prehospital providers. Prior EMS certification is recommended.