Trauma

Blood on the floor first. Then airway, then the hospital that can operate. Tourniquets, packing, binders, TBI, peds and geriatric undertriage, blast, amputation, electrical injury, flail — and destination as a treatment, not the closest parking lot.

Lessons

Suggested order

Twenty-nine modules in this path. Progress is saved on this device after you pass a quiz.

1
Massive Hemorrhage FirstMARCH order and tourniquet/packing discipline.
2
Tension Pneumothorax RecognitionObstructive shock before late signs.
3
Spinal Motion Restriction DecisionsSelective protection without harmful boarding.
4
Traumatic Brain InjuryPrevent hypoxia and hypotension.
5
Pelvic Injury & Binder ThinkingBind high-risk pelvis early.
6
Burn AssessmentAirway, TBSA, hypothermia prevention.
7
Trauma Triage & DestinationRight patient to the right center.
8
Open Chest Wounds & SealsVented seal when you have one; watch for tension; do not pack the chest.
9
Traumatic Cardiac ArrestLSIs first: bleed, airway, tension. Not a medical-code copy.
10
Trauma in PregnancyPregnant trauma: left displacement, maternal resuscitation, right destination — two patients.
11
Tourniquets That Actually WorkHasty high-and-tight, then deliberate 2–3 inches on skin. Second TQ if it still spurts. Note the time.
12
Wound Packing & Junctional BleedJunctional: pack to the source, 3 minutes of pressure. Chest holes get seals, not packing.
13
Damage-Control ResuscitationHemorrhage control first. Restrict crystalloid. Blood if available. TBI does not get permissive hypotension.
14
Crush SyndromeProlonged entrapment. Volume as you extricate. HyperK after release. Calcium for a wide, ugly strip.
15
Geriatric TraumaSBP <110 may be shock if ≥65. Anticoagulation, falls, frailty. Highest-level trauma center when they meet criteria.
16
Pediatric Trauma in the FieldKids hide shock. Warm, glucose, destination. Quiet is a siren.
17
Blast Injury in the FieldScene safety. MARCH. Blast lung can hide. Tympanic rupture is a clue, not the whole exam.
18
Amputation & PartsStump hemorrhage first. Part: dry, bagged, cooled. Do not delay transport to search forever.
19
Impaled ObjectsImpaled stays unless it stops the airway or the chest compressions. Stabilize and destinate.
20
Abdominal EviscerationMoist sterile cover. No reduction. Warmth. Surgical destination.
21
Facial Trauma and the AirwayBlood is the obstruction. Suction and position. Midface smash: beware NPA. SGA/ETT per protocol.
22
Helmet Removal for AirwayAirway access and a neutral neck beat a trophy helmet photo.
23
Electrical & Lightning InjuryScene power off. Lightning reverse triage. CPR/defib. Then burn/trauma care.
24
Chemical Eye InjuryIrrigate immediately. Remove contacts if you can. Alkali > acid for ongoing burn. Destination.
25
Flail Chest & Pulmonary ContusionFlail is a marker for contusion. O₂, analgesia, destination. Do not strap the segment down.
26
Penetrating Neck TraumaAirway. Direct pressure. No probing. Expanding hematoma = leave. Trauma center.
27
Anticoagulated Trauma: The Bleed You Cannot SeeBlood thinner + mechanism: assume occult bleed. Short scene. CT-capable trauma/stroke hospital. Bring the bottle.
28
Prehospital Blood: If Your Truck Carries ItStop the bleed. Then blood if you carry it and they are in hemorrhagic shock. Not pressors. Not a liter of salt.
29
Compartment Syndrome in the FieldPain out of proportion + tight compartment: splint, don’t ice, don’t wait for pulselessness, surgeon-capable ED.