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International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) is a program developed by the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). The course is designed to compliment the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course delivered to Physicians. ITLS teaches a system of assessment that makes critical interventions during the primary survey to correct threats to airway, respirations, and circulation. The system teaches the "ABC's" while incorporating advanced airway maneuvers, cricothyrotomy, chest decompression, and IV therapy. The basics such as spinal immobilization, oxygen therapy, basic airway maneuvers, and extrication methods are also taught. The course utilizes lecture and hands on teaching. Practical skills stations and scenario stations are utilized to allow students the opportunity to perfect the skills needed to assess, treat, and package trauma patients.

There is, however an ITLS course especially for BLS personnel such as First Responders, EMT-B's, etc. It emphasizes the same assessment ideology as Advanced ITLS and is an excellent course for BLS personnel.

The ITLS Access course provides EMS crews and first responders with the training they need to utilize tools commonly carried on an ambulance or first responder unit to reach entrapped patients and conduct stabilization and extrication.

Pediatric ITLS deals specifically with trauma to children. Children are not little adults and this course emphasizes the difference in anatomy, physiology, and treatment of pediatric trauma patients.

Also see our links page for links to some of the specialty equipment utilized in the 6th edition ITLS Book as well as other sites of interest.

North Carolina ITLS operates under the auspices of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians (NCCEP).