Advanced Trauma Life Support ATLS Student Course Manual 2018

Chair of Committee on Trauma: Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS
Medical Director of Trauma Program: Michael F. Rotondo, MD, FACS
ATLS Committee Chair: Sharon M. Henry, MD, FACS
ATLS Program Manager: Monique Drago, MA, EdD
Executive Editor: Claire Merrick
Project Manager: Danielle S. Haskin
Development Editor: Nancy Peterson
Media Services: Steve Kidd and Alex Menendez, Delve Productions
Designer: Rainer Flor
Production Services: Joy Garcia
Artist: Dragonfly Media Group
Tenth Edition
Copyright© 2018 American College of Surgeons
633 N. Saint Clair Street
Chicago, IL 60611-3211
Previous editions copyrighted 1980, 1982, 1984, 1993, 1997, 2004, 2008, and 2012 by the
American College of Surgeons.
Copyright enforceable internationally under the Bern Convention and the Uniform
Copyright Convention. All rights reserved. This manual is protected by copyright. No part
of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written
permission from the American College of Surgeons.
The American College of Surgeons, its Committee on Trauma, and contributing authors have
taken care that the doses of drugs and recommendations for treatment contained herein
are correct and compatible with the standards generally accepted at the time of publication.
However, as new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in
treatment and drug therapy may become necessary or appropriate. Readers and participants
of this course are advised to check the most current product information provided by
the manufacturer of each drug to be administered to verify the recommended dose, the
method and duration of administration, and contraindications. It is the responsibility of
the licensed practitioner to be informed in all aspects of patient care and determine the best
treatment for each individual patient. Note that cervical collars and spinal immobilization
remain the current Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) standard in transporting
patients with spine injury. If the collars and immobilization devices are to be removed in
controlled hospital environments, this should be accomplished when the stability of the
injury is assured. Cervical collars and immobilization devices have been removed in some
of the photos and videos to provide clarity for specific skill demonstrations. The American
College of Surgeons, its Committee on Trauma, and contributing authors disclaim any
liability, loss, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and
application of any of the content of this 10th edition of the ATLS Program.
Advanced Trauma Life Support® and the acronym ATLS® are marks of the
American College of Surgeons.
Printed in the United States of America.
Advanced Trauma Life Support® Student Course Manual
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907997
ISBN 78-0-9968262-3-5