This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) provides a comprehensive guide for Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) technicians on the principles and management of trauma. It outlines essential learning objectives, including defining and describing various mechanisms of injury (MOI), such as impact/blunt, penetrating, rotational, crush, and blast injuries, emphasizing how kinetic energy and stopping distance influence injury severity. The text also explains the critical distinction between transporting patients to community hospitals versus specialized trauma centers, especially for multisystem trauma, highlighting the importance of the "Golden Hour" for improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, it equips OEC technicians with the knowledge to assess, manage, and facilitate rapid transport for trauma patients, crucial for ensuring the best possible care in remote and challenging environments.
