Book Review

Earlier this year, I reviewed ‘Disaster Rules’ which documented 100 rules in relation to the management and treatment of mass casualties. I gave it a positive review and this book, which follows a similar format, has equally impressed me. Adopting a systematic approach to the management of trauma, 71 rules are presented which address the key issues in this field of prehospital care.

The basics of trauma management are coherently identified and more complex issues are succinctly presented. On this note, a declaration is made by the authors to the effect that this text only represents an aide memoire, and readers who require more in-depth knowledge, need to read further material on trauma. But this really is an effective supplemental text which is very easy to digest.

Further qualifications are made with regards to the influence of the military on the content. The paramedic profession within the UK in general seems to be turning to the military to a greater extent than ever before in shaping practice. Exposure to the military paradigm of trauma management certainly exposes the reader to cutting-edge practices that they may not be widely exposed to in civilian practice. However, this is qualified by recognizing the very different pattern of injuries in combat compared to civilian life. An important distinction and one which only supplements the content, rather than overpower it.