Certificate in Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

Course Overview

What you will learn

• Use the PHTLS approach for a quick and organized trauma assessment.
• Identify and manage severe bleeding and airway problems.
• Recognise traumatic shock and understand the appropriate response.
• Assess and manage chest and abdominal injuries.
• Make informed decisions about treatment time at the scene and transport priorities.

Curriculum

Course outline

Module 1 — Trauma assessment principles

You can learn how injuries happen and how the mechanism of injury can help you understand the patient's condition. This module covers the primary and secondary assessment process and how to quickly identify immediate threats.

Module 2 — Haemorrhage & airway control

Serious bleeding and airway problems require fast action. You will learn practical techniques like tourniquet application and wound packing along with important airway management approaches used in trauma care.

Module 3 — Shock, chest & abdominal trauma

Trauma can cause serious internal injuries that might not always be obvious. This module covers how to understand traumatic shock and assess common chest and abdominal injuries while providing appropriate care in the field.

Module 4 — Spinal care & transport decisions

This module looks at current evidence and spinal motion restriction and how to approach spinal care based on a patient's condition. You will also learn how to make practical decisions about the same time and treatment priorities.

Assessment & certification

The course includes scenario-based assessment stations giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding through practical trauma situations. The certificate is generated through the dims certificate system and can be verified by employers when required.