EMPACT (Emergency Medical Patients: Assessment, Care & Transport) offers a practical approach to common medical emergencies. Formerly published as AMLS (Advanced Medical Life Support), EMPACT is updated and revised to conform to the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines. Providing foundational chapters on assessment, critical thinking/decision making, and the difficult airway, the text moves on to cover common medical complaints, such as shock/hypoperfusion, dyspnea, chest discomfort or pain, and more. Presenting a realistic approach to the care of the patient, each chapter moves from assessment- and complaint-based primary assessment (identifying and controlling immediate life threats) to field diagnosis and management of immediately treatable underlying diseases. Intended for students with paramedic or other advanced-level training; a familiarity with anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology; and an overall understanding of the nature of medical emergencies.