The first 60 minutes following a serious injury is known as the "Golden Hour". Seriously injured casualties correctly resuscitated and treatment begun in a definitive care facility during this vital time will be given the best chance of survival with minimum long term disability.

Of those victims of major trauma who die, 2/3 will have suffered major head or other central nervous system injuries about which little could have been done that would have altered the inevitable outcome. However, 2/3 of the remaining fatalities would be preventable if the casualty were to receive appropriate medical management in this "Golden Hour".

The majority of preventable deaths at the scene occur as a result of inadequate airway management. The rest occur as a result of inadequate management of ineffective breathing or inadequately treated shock following haemorrhage.