CP
CareerPro UK
CPD Courses / Online course

Trauma Life Support — UK Guidelines

Introduction

Show you can approach a major trauma call systematically using UK guidance — and prepare for your ATLS® course.

  • The <C>ABCDE primary survey, step by step, with a full worked case
  • NICE rules for head and C-spine CT, major haemorrhage, burns and special groups
  • Strong preparation for emergency, surgical and acute medicine posts
Length
90 min
Slides
32
Quiz
20 questions
Pass mark
16/20
Studying
Free
Certificate
£5

Your progress is saved on this device. You only pay if you pass the quiz and want the certificate.

Two medical professionals moving a patient on a trolley
On your CV — Courses and CPD
Trauma Life Support — UK Guidelines — online CPD course, CareerPro UK (90 min). Certificate of completion, October 2026; verifiable online, ID CP-XXXXXXXX.
Prepares you for questions like
“You are first on scene at a trauma call. Talk us through your approach.”

A complete online course in the first hour of major trauma care (ATLS-style primary survey, UK guidelines), based on NICE and UK trauma-network practice. Covers UK trauma systems, preparation and the trauma team, the <C>ABCDE primary survey, catastrophic and major haemorrhage, airway and C-spine, life-threatening chest injuries, shock, head and spinal injury with NICE CT rules, abdomen, pelvis and limbs, imaging, the secondary survey, burns, children, older people, pregnancy, transfer, handover and communication with families.

What you'll learn

  • Describe how major trauma care is organised in the UK and how to prepare a trauma team
  • Carry out a structured <C>ABCDE primary survey and treat life threats as you find them
  • Control catastrophic and major haemorrhage using UK guidance (pressure, tourniquets, pelvic binder, TXA, blood products)
  • Recognise and treat the immediately life-threatening chest injuries
  • Apply the NICE CT rules for head and cervical spine injury
  • Use imaging appropriately and complete a secondary survey
  • Adapt care for burns, children, older people and pregnant patients
  • Arrange safe transfer, give a structured handover and communicate well with families

Course outline

  1. Foundations: trauma in the UK and getting ready
  2. The primary survey: <C>ABCDE
  3. Injuries by body region
  4. Imaging and the secondary survey
  5. Special groups: burns, children, older people and pregnancy
  6. Transfer, communication and records
Before you start

This is an independent online course based on UK guidance (NICE major trauma, head injury, spinal injury and fracture guidelines, and UK trauma-network practice). It is not an ATLS® provider course, it does not certify competence in trauma care, and it cannot replace an accredited, hands-on, assessed course. ATLS® is a registered trademark of the American College of Surgeons. CareerPro UK is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the American College of Surgeons or the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Always follow current NICE guidance and your trauma network's and hospital's protocols.

CareerPro UK is an independent education provider. Our courses are not produced, endorsed, approved or accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC), the NHS, NICE, any Royal College or any other official body, and we are not affiliated with them. Courses are study guides written in our own words from publicly available guidance. They do not replace the official guidance, which can change — always check the current version (e.g. at gmc-uk.org and nice.org.uk). They are not legal or professional advice: for a specific situation, follow your employer's policies and speak to your seniors or your medical defence organisation.

Content last reviewed: October 2026.