🩺 International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) – Course Content
1. Introduction to ITLS
Overview of ITLS philosophy and principles
Golden hour and trauma triage
Scene safety and personal protection
Patient assessment priorities and decision-making
2. Trauma Assessment & Management
Rapid Trauma Assessment
Scene size-up
Initial assessment (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure)
Identifying life-threatening injuries
Transport decision-making
Ongoing Assessment
Reassessment and monitoring en route
Documentation and communication
3. Airway Management
Airway anatomy and obstruction recognition
Airway control (manual, mechanical, surgical)
Ventilation and oxygenation techniques
Use of adjuncts (OPA, NPA, supraglottic devices, ET intubation)
4. Breathing and Chest Trauma
Assessment of breathing effectiveness
Management of:
Tension pneumothorax
Open pneumothorax
Flail chest
Hemothorax
Needle decompression and chest seal techniques
5. Circulation and Shock
Hemorrhage control (direct pressure, tourniquets, hemostatic agents)
Types of shock (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic)
Fluid resuscitation and blood product considerations
Pelvic stabilization and internal bleeding management
6. Head and Spinal Trauma
Mechanism of injury and neurological assessment
Management of increased intracranial pressure
Spinal motion restriction (SMR) principles and application
Helmet removal techniques
7. Abdominal Trauma
Recognition of blunt and penetrating injuries
Evisceration management
Signs of internal bleeding
Splinting and stabilization during transport
8. Musculoskeletal Trauma
Assessment of extremity injuries
Open fractures and dislocations
Immobilization and splinting techniques
Traction splints for femur fractures
9. Burns and Environmental Trauma
Burn classification and management
Electrical, chemical, and thermal burns
Cold, heat, and drowning emergencies
Special considerations for pediatric and geriatric patients
10. Pediatric and Geriatric Trauma
Age-specific anatomy and physiology differences
Pediatric airway and trauma considerations
Geriatric comorbidities and frailty factors
11. Special Trauma Scenarios
Trauma in pregnancy
Mass casualty incidents (MCI)
Blast injuries and disaster response
Transport and handover to trauma centers
12. Practical Skill Stations
Airway management station
Spinal immobilization
Rapid trauma assessment drills
Hemorrhage control and splinting
Patient packaging and extrication
13. Assessment & Certification
Written examination
Practical evaluation (trauma assessment scenario)
Certification validity: 3 years (renewal via recertification course)