Prehospital Trauma Life Support
(PHTLS)

The latest edition of NAEMT’s Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) program is designed to equip EMS providers and other prehospital professionals with the knowledge and skills to manage trauma patients effectively before they reach the hospital.

The course emphasizes evidence-based trauma care and focuses on improving patient outcomes through rapid assessment, critical thinking, and timely interventions. PHTLS training highlights the continuum of care through different phases of the prehospital environment:

Scene Assessment and Safety: Identifying potential hazards, ensuring provider and patient safety, and determining the mechanism of injury.
Primary Assessment: Rapidly evaluating life-threatening conditions such as airway compromise, breathing difficulties, and severe bleeding.
Secondary Assessment and Ongoing Care: Conducting detailed evaluations, providing continued monitoring, and preparing for safe transport to definitive care.

oval or transport of patients away from the incident area to a secure location.

Provider Course

16-hour course for EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, physicians and other prehospital providers. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a certificate of completion, a wallet card recognizing them as PHTLS providers for 4 years, and 16 hours of CAPCE credit.

Refresher Course

8-hour classroom course for individuals who have successfully completed the 16 hour PHTLS provider course within the past four years. Current PHTLS provider certificate or wallet card required. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a certificate of completion and 8 hours of CAPCE credit.

First Responder

PHTLS for First Responders (PHTLS-FR)is an 8-hour classroom course that takes the world-class trauma care content from the 10th edition of PHTLS and delivers it in a style that is relevant to and accessible by first responders, including emergency medical responders (EMR), firefighters, rescue personnel and law enforcement officers. Covering life-saving interventions such as hemorrhage control and airway management, this course teaches critical trauma concepts, demonstrates skills, and walks students through potential patient scenarios. Course materials include a student manual, providing students with access to these important concepts long after the course is over. Upon successful completion of this course, students receive a certificate of completion, a wallet card good for 4 years and 8 hours of CAPCE credit.

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