The Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG), Manchester UK, began life in 1990 and became a registered medical education charity in 1993. The organisation exists to "preserve life by providing training and education to the general public and in particular but not exclusively to doctors, nurses and other members of the medical profession, in life saving techniques".The book is written and edited by Emergency Medicine specialists who are Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG) trainers.

• Working group viiContributors to first edition viiiPreface to the second edition ixPreface to the first edition xContact details and further information xiHow to use your textbook xiiPART 1: Introduction 11 The epidemiology and incidence of major incidents 32 Are we ready for the next major incident? 113 The structured approach to the hospital response 15PART 2: Preparation 214 Planning for major incidents 235 Major incident equipment 276 Training 33PART 3: Management 377 The scaleable hierarchy concept 398 The clinical hierarchy 439 The nursing hierarchy 5510 The management hierarchy 65PART 4: Support 7911 Declaring a major incident and activating the plan 8112 The reception phase 8713 Triage 9714 The definitive care phase 10715 The recovery phase 111PART 5: Special incidents 11516 Incidents involving hazardous chemicals 11717 Incidents involving a large number of burns 12918 Incidents involving large numbers of children 139Template annexe of local highlights 149Glossary 159Index 161