Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®)

The Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) program can teach you a systematic, concise approach to the care of a trauma patient. ATLS was developed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) and was first introduced in the US and abroad in 1980. Its courses provide you with a safe and reliable method for immediate management of injured patients. The course teaches you how to assess a patient’s condition, resuscitate and stabilize him or her, and determine if his or her needs exceed a facility’s capacity. It also covers how to arrange for a patient’s inter-hospital transfer and assure that optimum care is provided throughout the process. If you don’t treat trauma patients frequently, an ATLS course provides an easy method to remember for evaluation and treatment of a trauma victim.

For more information about ATLS from the American College of Surgeons, visit: https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/atls

If you wish to take a course you must contact the Coordinator directly in the area you wish to take the course. They will have a list of the dates of courses in their area.

Please see the 2023.01.25 – ATLS Coordinators of Canada Contact List for updated contact information in your province.

The Canadian National ATLS Coordinator is Glen Purcell from Vancouver, BC. He can be reached at glen.purcell@vch.ca

COVID-19 ATLS Education Resources from American College of Surgeons

During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that everyone is in need of additional resources and looking for alternate ways to address their individual needs. In an effort to develop an equitable solution for all of our ATLS Partners and health care professionals that care for injured patients, we have made the following Basic Trauma Care “Just in Time” education materials available free of charge.

Download the ATLS app from myatls.com. Please contact atls@facs.org to receive a free download code.

The 9th edition of the ATLS Student Manual is available for download. Hard copies can be shipped upon request. (Please note: Requests are contingent upon shipping availability and the requestor will pay shipping cost.)

Specific videos on a variety of topics from the 10th edition mATLS modules are available for free by visiting the American College of Surgeons website: COVID19-Trauma Education Resources

ATLS FAQ

How can I obtain a copy of the student manual?

How do I find an ATLS course?

In Canada, please contact the regional ATLS Coordinator to find out more information on when the next courses will be offered.

February 2023 – ATLS Coordinators of Canada Contact List

For how long is an ATLS student status current?

After the successful completion of the ATLS Student or Student Refresher course, your ATLS status is current for four years from the last date of the course. Students have up to six months after their status expires to take a Student Refresher course. After this refresher timeframe has expired you must retake the full ATLS course.

How do I find out if I have a current ATLS provider status?

I have not received my ATLS provider card yet. Who do I contact?

How many continuing medical education (CME) and self-assessment credits (MOC part 2) can be awarded following the completion of an ATLS course?

1 day ATLS Hybrid Course-30.25 CME; 20.0 self-assessment credits
2.5-day Student course – 16 CME credits; 16 self-assessment credits
2-day Student course – 16 CME credits; 16 self-assessment credits
1-day Student Refresher course – 7.25 CME credits; 7.25 self-assessment credits
0.5-day Student Refresher course – 5.0 CME credits; 5.0 self-assessment credits
2 day Instructor courses – 16.5 CME credits
1.5 day Instructor course- 12.0 CME credits
1-day Instructor course – 8.0 CME credits

Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®)