Lesson 1Exposure and environmental control: full undressing, warmers, preventing hypothermia, and quick secondary survey prepThis part discusses complete patient exposure to spot injuries while avoiding hypothermia. It includes safe undressing methods, privacy, warming techniques, room control, and readying for a fast but thorough secondary survey.
Safe removal of clothing and patient dignitySystematic head-to-toe visual checkUse of warm blankets and active warmersRoom temperature and warmed IV fluidsCoordination for quick secondary surveyLesson 2Breathing assessment: inspection, auscultation, percussion, oxygenation goals, and bedside monitoringThis part reviews fast breathing checks, covering inspection, auscultation, percussion, and bedside monitoring. It stresses oxygenation goals, spotting life-threatening chest issues, and focusing on urgent fixes.
Inspection for chest rise and deformityAuscultation for uneven breath soundsPercussion for hyperresonance or dullnessPulse oximetry and waveform checkOxygenation and ventilation goalsLesson 3Airway manoeuvres and adjuncts: jaw-thrust, oral/nasopharyngeal airways, RSI steps and drug choicesThis part reviews airway manoeuvres and tools used in the primary survey. It covers jaw thrust, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, when and how to do RSI, and picking induction and paralytic drugs for trauma.
Jaw thrust and manual airway openingUse of oropharyngeal airwaysUse of nasopharyngeal airwaysPreoxygenation and RSI preparationDrug choices and dosing in RSILesson 4Airway assessment: signs of obstruction, indications for immediate airway control, and rapid intubation criteriaThis part focuses on quick airway checks in trauma. It points out obstruction signs, tough airway predictors, when to control immediately, and criteria for fast intubation versus temporary tools or surgical airway.
Visible obstruction and noisy breathingAssessment of airway burns and swellingPredictors of difficult laryngoscopyIndications for immediate intubationWhen to consider surgical airwayLesson 5C-spine protection: manual inline stabilisation, collar types, and indications for immobilisation vs. clearanceThis part deals with cervical spine protection in early trauma care. It includes manual inline stabilisation, collar choice and fit, when to immobilise, and safe clearance criteria using clinical and imaging methods.
Manual inline stabilisation techniquesChoosing and sizing cervical collarsProper collar application and pitfallsClinical criteria for C-spine clearanceImaging indications for C-spine injuryLesson 6Resuscitation endpoints and monitoring during primary survey: blood pressure goals, heart rate, urine output, and mental statusThis part explains resuscitation goals and monitoring in the primary survey. It covers blood pressure and heart rate targets, urine output, mental status, lactate trends, and adjusting actions based on patient changes.
Target blood pressure in trauma shockHeart rate and rhythm trend analysisUrine output as perfusion indicatorMental status and serial GCS checksUse of lactate and base deficitLesson 7Disability brief neuro assessment (GCS) and immediate neurologic stabilisation measuresThis part outlines the quick neurologic check in the primary survey. It explains fast GCS scoring, pupil checks, limb movement, and urgent steps for suspected brain or spinal injury, including airway and perfusion fixes.
Rapid GCS components and scoringPupil size, symmetry, and reactivityMotor and sensory limb assessmentSigns of raised intracranial pressureImmediate neuroprotective measuresLesson 8Circulation assessment: haemorrhage control priorities, signs of shock, focused physical exam for major bleedingThis part explains circulation checks in the primary survey, focusing on quick detection of life-threatening haemorrhage, shock recognition, targeted physical exam, and prioritising immediate bleeding control.
Central and peripheral pulse assessmentSkin colour, temperature, and capillary refillBlood pressure trends and shock index useFocused exam for external and internal bleedingEarly IV or IO access and blood samplingLesson 9Immediate interventions for breathing threats: needle decompression, tube thoracostomy, and strategies for tension pneumothoraxThis part details urgent fixes for life-threatening breathing issues. It covers needle decompression, tube thoracostomy, spotting tension pneumothorax, and ways to prioritise procedures in the time-critical primary survey.
Recognition of tension pneumothoraxSites and technique for needle decompressionIndications for tube thoracostomyChest tube insertion steps and checksPost procedure monitoring and reassessmentLesson 10Immediate haemorrhage control: direct pressure, tourniquets, pelvic binders, haemostatic dressings, and FAST-guided decisionsThis part focuses on urgent haemorrhage control techniques in the primary survey. It details direct pressure, tourniquets, pelvic binders, haemostatic dressings, and how FAST results guide urgent surgery or intervention choices.
Effective application of direct pressureIndications and placement of tourniquetsPelvic binder sizing and positioningSelection and use of haemostatic dressingsIntegrating FAST results into decisionsLesson 11Structured primary survey (ABCDE) sequence and time goalsThis part describes the structured ABCDE primary survey sequence and time targets. It stresses prioritising life threats, reducing interruptions, team role assignment, and continuous checks for a safe, efficient trauma workflow.
Overview of ABCDE survey prioritiesRecommended time targets for ABCDETeam roles and closed loop communicationManaging simultaneous interventionsReassessment after each ABCDE cycle
