Trauma is one of the leading causes of death for people under 45. In many emergencies—vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, violence, falls, industrial hazards, and natural disasters—professional EMS resources may take several minutes to arrive. Those early moments are critical. Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) provides responders with the advanced assessment and intervention skills needed to stabilize victims and prevent avoidable deaths before they reach a hospital.