How to Treat Traumatic Injuries

Learn how EMTs and Paramedics identify, treat, and care for patients with traumatic injuries.

Despite decades of medical advances, trauma is the fourth leading cause of death overall for all ages and is the leading cause of death for individuals up to the age of 45 years in the United States. Each year, more than 150,000 people lose their lives and over 3 million suffer non-fatal injuries due to trauma in the United States, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

When EMS personnel arrive at a trauma scene, they play a pivotal role in early assessment, intervention, and transport to trauma centers, directly influencing patient outcomes. In an article published by the Mayo Clinic, Alexander C. Catevenis, executive director for Ground Ambulance Rochester and Southeastern Minnesota Emergency Medical Services says “Our role begins with recognition, or acknowledgement, of a patient’s potential underlying trauma. For example, symptomatically, a patient may present with hypovolemic shock, but actually this individual’s having a heart attack, which causes the traumatic event.”

Through rapid response and accurate decision-making, EMTs and Paramedics can not only stabilize patients but can also give them the best possible chance of survival. Learn more about the most common EMS Emergencies for EMTs and Paramedics.

Trauma Definition

What is a Traumatic Injury?

Traumatic injuries are sudden, severe injuries caused by an external physical force. Common examples include car crashes, falls, burns, drownings, gunshot wounds, and stabbings. Major trauma refers to any injury with the potential to cause long-term disability or death. These injuries are often classified into two main categories:

• Blunt trauma: Damage caused by impact or collision without breaking the skin—for example, from falls, assaults, or vehicle accidents.
• Penetrating trauma: Injuries that occur when an object pierces the skin and enters the body, creating an open wound, such as a stabbing or gunshot wound.

Signs and Symptoms of Trauma Injury

Traumatic injuries are serious, often life-threatening events that can affect multiple regions of the body. While the outward signs—such as heavy bleeding, fractures, burns, or severe pain—are usually obvious, other symptoms may be harder to detect.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a common example. Their signs can appear immediately after the incident or may take days or even weeks to develop, making diagnosis challenging.

General signs and symptoms of traumatic injury may include:

• Profuse bleeding, bruising, or visible deformities (e.g., fractures, mutilation, or burns)
• Severe or persistent pain
• Loss of consciousness or disorientation without loss of consciousness
• Seizures or convulsions
• Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
• Dilated or unequal pupils
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Dizziness, balance problems, or coordination issues
• Nausea, vomiting, or fatigue
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes
• Headaches, memory issues, or trouble concentrating
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
• Changes in sleep patterns (difficulty sleeping, or sleeping more than usual)
• Blurred vision, ringing in the ears, altered sense of taste, or loss of smell

When to Call 911 for a Suspected Trauma Injury

If you or someone nearby shows any of the signs of traumatic injury, call 911 right away. Even symptoms that seem mild at first—such as dizziness, confusion, or a lingering headache—can point to a serious underlying condition. Prompt evaluation by EMS professionals can ensure an accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment, which can make all the difference in recovery and survival.

How to Treat Traumatic Injury

Before EMS providers arrive, the steps you take can make a big difference. Treatment depends on the type of injury—such as a car accident, fall, drowning, gunshot wound, burn, or stabbing—but the same basic rules apply:

• Call 911 first: Emergency dispatchers will guide you through what to do and may give you specific instructions while help is on the way.
• Control bleeding: Apply firm, steady pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage.
• Avoid unnecessary movement: If you suspect a neck or back injury, do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger (for example, from fire or traffic).
• Provide comfort and reassurance: Stay close, keep them calm, and let them know help is coming.

When EMS arrives, any details you can share about the injury will help them assess and treat the patient quickly. For example, in cases of suspected traumatic brain injury, try to answer questions such as:

• How did the injury happen?
• Did the person lose consciousness, and for how long?
• Have you noticed changes in alertness, speech, or coordination?
• Which parts of the body are injured?
• For head injuries, where was the impact?
• Can you describe the force of the injury (e.g., the speed of the car, the height of the fall, or when the event occurred)?

Your quick action and accurate observations can provide EMS professionals with critical information—and may even save a life.

Treatment Overview for Traumatic Injury

Most traumatic injuries are treated in hospital emergency departments. When injuries are more severe, EMTs and paramedics may classify the case as a Trauma Alert. A Level One Trauma Alert is triggered after a rapid assessment shows the patient has life-threatening needs. A Level One Trauma Alert is the highest designation for a trauma emergency. It’s activated when EMS or the emergency department staff determines that a patient has life-threatening injuries and needs immediate, comprehensive care at a trauma center.

According to the NASEMSO (see p. 208) the key points for trauma patients care goals are:

• Rapid assessment and management of life-threatening injuries
• Recognition of when to rapidly transport
• Transport to the appropriate level of trauma care
• Safe movement of patient to prevent worsening injury severity

How Do EMTs and Paramedics Treat Trauma?

In any clinical emergency, the first priority is a rapid, structured assessment of the patient. EMS providers commonly use the ABCDE approach—Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure—to guide this process.

This method helps clinicians quickly identify and address life-threatening problems in order of priority. It can be applied anywhere, from the scene of an accident with minimal equipment to advanced settings like emergency departments or intensive care units. By following the ABCDE steps, EMTs and paramedics ensure that no critical issue is overlooked during those crucial first minutes of care.

Treatment Guidelines and Resources for Medical First Responders

National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines

The National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines (Version 3.0, March 2022) provide detailed recommendations for the treatment of trauma (see p. 208). Maintained by the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), these guidelines support the development of state and local EMS protocols, operating procedures, and clinical best practices. They are evidence-based when research is available, and consensus-based when evidence is limited, ensuring they remain practical and adaptable for EMS providers in the field.

Trauma can affect nearly any part of the body, and treatment varies depending on the type of injury. The NASEMSO guidelines for adults include, but are not limited to:

• Blast Injuries
• Burns
• Crush Injuries/Crush Syndrome
• Extremity Trauma / External Hemorrhage Management
• Facial and Dental Trauma
• Head Injuries
• High-Threat Considerations (e.g., Active Shooter Scenarios)
• Spinal Care
• Trauma Mass Casualty Incident

CDC Field Triage Guidelines for Injured Patients

For transport decisions, EMS professionals are also directed to the CDC guidelines, which help determine the most appropriate destination for injured patients. Visit the CDC’s Field Triage Guidelines website to download the guidelines below:

EMT Training for Trauma Injuries

At Unitek EMT, students don’t just learn about trauma in the classroom—they live it through hands-on training and immersive simulations. Our curriculum is built to prepare future EMTs for one of the most challenging parts of the job: responding to trauma calls. From the first day, students are taught to recognize the signs, symptoms, and assessments associated with different mechanisms of injury (MOI). Understanding MOI gives EMTs and paramedics vital clues about the internal and external injuries they may encounter before they even arrive on scene. Students also learn how to make critical decisions about patient transport by studying the different levels and specialties of hospitals:

• Burn victims: Burn Center
• Families injured in major car crashes: Level I Trauma Center that treats both adults and children
• Pediatric patients: Pediatric Trauma Center
• Pregnant patients with traumatic injuries: Trauma Center with obstetric specialists
• Patients with severe head injuries: Hospital with neurological expertise

But the heart of our trauma training lies in real-world simulations. In these exercises, teams of three or four students are dispatched without warning to a mock emergency scene—complete with actors, blood, screaming bystanders, and chaotic environments. Just like in the field, they must think fast, work together, and perform under pressure.

Students often say these high-intensity scenarios are the most valuable part of their training—because they build confidence, sharpen teamwork, and prepare them for the unpredictable reality of saving lives.

About Unitek EMT

Unitek EMT is proud to be one of Arizona’s leading EMT training programs, dedicated to preparing the next generation of emergency responders. Our mission is to give students the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to excel in the field.

With flexible training options—an accelerated 14-Day EMT Boot Camp or 7-Week Evening Boot Camp—we help students earn certification sooner while still providing a rigorous, hands-on education. Our instructors are seasoned EMS professionals who bring years of frontline experience into every lesson. And through immersive simulations, students learn to stay calm, think fast, and act decisively in life-saving situations.

At Unitek EMT, we don’t just train EMTs—we prepare leaders who are ready to answer the call. Join us and begin your journey toward saving lives.