Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

The Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) course is a unique continuing education program created in recognition of the real need in EMS education for additional training in the handling of trauma patients. This indispensable program is designed to enhance and increase knowledge and skills in delivering trauma care in the pre-hospital environment.

What does PHTLS Cover?
PHTLS picks up where other educational programs leave off. The course focuses on trauma patients in the pre-hospital environment - how to identify, stabilize, treat, and transport them with the highest level of care and give them the greatest chance for survival.

PHTLS students learn to:

• Identify the mechanism of injury
• Recognize life-threatening injuries
• Relate pathophysiology to injuries
• Assess and manage trauma patients

Skills Stations Include 

• Airway Management & Ventilation
• Assessment & Management
• Rapid Extrication & Spinal immobilization
• Pediatric Assessment & Pediatric Immobilization
• Evaluation Scenarios

This course was developed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in cooperation with The Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons.

Pre-requisites
Students must be current EMT's, AEMT's or Paramedics. Classes are also done outdoors; please make sure you are prepared for all weather.

Contact Information
Frank Riboni
Director, EMS Institute
ribonif@stjohns.edu