Trauma is the leading cause of death for patients in
their fi rst four decades of life.[1] It is therefore essential
to optimize trauma care, not just in the hospital, but also
in the fi eld when trauma patients have their fi rst contact
with medical providers. The treatment that patients
receive in the fi eld can signifi cantly alter their outcome.
Prehospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems
rely on advances in therapy and management, often
developed for patient care in the hospital sett ing, but over
time, has reached prehospital care providers.