# Prehospital Point-of-Care Ultrasound (pPOCUS) ## Metadata - Content type: Course - Canonical URL: https://123sonography.com/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus - Published: December 11, 2023 - Last updated: November 17, 2025 - Category: POCUS / Emergency / Critical Care - Course Type: Other ## Overview This ultrasound course will equip you with expertise in applying POCUS across diverse prehospital scenarios, including trauma, non-trauma, and resuscitative situations. Following an initial overview of physics, POCUS device functions, and basic ultrasound imaging, you'll quickly develop proficiency in detecting free fluid, hemothorax, and pneumothorax. You'll also swiftly recognize pericardial effusion, tamponade, low left ventricular function, severe valve dysfunction, signs of pulmonary embolism, and large wall motion abnormalities. Furthermore, you'll know how to accurately detect aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and acute peripheral arterial occlusion. The course also covers a range of non-trauma conditions, including Pulmonary edema, Liver vein dilation, Urinary retention, Obstruction, Ileus, Acute cholecystitis chole(docho)lithiasis, and more. Throughout, you'll explore essential protocols such as eFAST, FATE, RUSH, DYSPNEA, and CPR protocol. Note: This course includes AI-generated translations in Spanish and Arabic. Accuracy is not guaranteed (read more in Terms & Conditions) ## Media ![pPOCUS trailer tbnl](https://123sonography.com/sites/default/files/2025-04/screencapture-vimeo-manage-videos-967739062-2025-04-15-16_26_16.png) ## Snapshot - Duration: 1 hours - Total CME credits that can be earned: 1 - Chapters: 7 - Lectures: 39 - Quizzes: 6 ## Intended Audience - Paramedics - General practitioners - Emergency Physicians - Medical Students ## Faculty - [Benjamin Thal, M.D](/speaker/149) - Prehospital Emergency Physician, Deputy Medical and Scientific Director, Managing Editor RESPonse Emergency Medicine Podcast; EMS Vienna - [Thomas Hamp, M.D; EDIC, EDEC](/speaker/175) - Venia docendi in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine Prehospital Emergency Physician and Liaison officer; EMS Vienna - [Prof. Thomas Binder, MD, FESC](/speaker/30) - Cardiologist, Head of Digital Learning; Medical University of Vienna - [Chiara Archam](/speaker/178) - Medical Student; Medical University of Vienna ## Learning Objectives - After this prehospital emergency training you will be equipped with the skills to effectively utilize prehospital point-of-care ultrasound in a variety of emergency situations. - The ultrasound course will enable you to make accurate diagnoses and decisions for critically injured or ill patients. - By gaining in-depth knowledge you will become proficient in mastering point-of-care ultrasound devices in your clinical practice. - You will become proficient in applying various emergency protocols (eFAST, FATE, DYSPNEA, RUSH protocol, CPR protocol) in your clinical practice. ## Topics - Cardiology - Vascular / Angiology - Internal Medicine - Emergency & Critical Care - Anaesthesiology - Preclinical Ultrasound - Other (please specify) ## Pricing Options - Supported currencies: AED, CLP, COP, EGP, EUR, INR, MXN, PEN, QAR, USD ### Half-Year Access - Payment type: One-time payment - Price: €1030 - Currency: EUR - Access duration: 6 months - Add to cart: /add-to-cart/227/762 Our shortest option for very fast learners. Ideal for people who have plenty of time to learn. You get: - 6 months access to our course - Ability to complete quizzes and earn CME credits ### One-Year Access - Payment type: One-time payment - Price: €1442 - Currency: EUR - Access duration: 12 months - Add to cart: /add-to-cart/227/1123 Our most recommended access duration to dive deep into the course. Save 30% on the 6-month option. You get: - 12 months access to our course - Ability to complete quizzes and earn CME credits ### Two-Year Access - Payment type: One-time payment - Price: €2472 - Currency: EUR - Access duration: 24 months - Add to cart: /add-to-cart/227/764 If you want to take your time learning, this option is perfect for you. Save 40% on the 6-month option. You get: - 24 months access to our course - Ability to complete quizzes and earn CME credits ### One-Month Access - Payment type: Monthly subscription - Price: €182 - Currency: EUR - Access duration: 1 month - Add to cart: /add-to-cart/227/782 Take the most flexible route with a monthly subscription. You get: - Cancellation possible anytime after 4 months minimum run time - Ability to complete quizzes and earn CME credits ## Recommended Blog Posts - [Prehospital POCUS during resuscitation](/blog/case/prehospital-pocus-during-resuscitation) - Fatal diagnosis made in real-time! Check out this case! - [How to diagnose pneumonia in yourself](/blog/cases/how-diagnose-pneumonia-yourself) - Ben Thal, speaker of our upcoming course "Prehospital POCUS" shares a personal pPOCUS case about his colleague. - [Prehospital Emergency Medicine – pPOCUS ties us together!](/blog/news/prehospital-emergency-medicine-ppocus-ties-together) - The accessibility of prehospital and emergency healthcare, as well as the involvement of different healthcare professionals as prehospital care providers, varies significantly across countries and regions worldwide... - [A Day in the Fast Lane with Dr. Ben Thal](/blog/news/day-fast-lane-dr-ben-thal) - In this post, Thomas Binder shares a personal story that vividly illustrates the thrill and significance of advanced medical practice in emergencies. ## CME Information ### Introduction The goal of this activity is to provide online education for the course Prehospital Point-of-Care Ultrasound course (pPOCUS). This activity is intended for Paramedics, General practitioners, Emergency Physicians, and Medical Students. ### Financial disclosures Dr. Benjamin Thal does not have any relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose; Dr. Thomas Hamp does not have any relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose; Chiara Archam does not have any relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose; Dr. Thomas Binder does not have any relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose; Staff at Siyemi Learning and 123 Sonography do not have any relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose. This course is certified for CME, further information on how to claim your CME credits can be found below. ### CME information This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Siyemi Learning and 123 Sonography. Siyemi Learning is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Siyemi Learning designates this enduring material for a maximum of 10 *AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™*. Physicians should claim only the credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. ![](https://legacy.123sonography.com/profiles/sono/modules/custom/sonocertificates/resources/accme.png) ![](https://legacy.123sonography.com/profiles/sono/modules/custom/sonocertificates/resources/siyemi.png) ### How to earn your CME credit In order to earn credit, you must watch the videos, take the quiz (pass mark 75%), and complete the evaluation on your dashboard. While you can claim CME certificates as you work through each chapter, if you prefer (e.g. if you are only able to use full credits because you are based in Europe) you can claim a single certificate for your total activity in this course. It will be available to download on your dashboard after you have completed all quizzes and evaluated all chapters. Release date: June 2024 Expiry date: June 2027 ## Curriculum ### Free lectures This free chapter provides access to a curated collection of free lectures, offering valuable insights and knowledge from our medical experts on various subjects related to Prehospital Point-of-Care Ultrasound. - Chapter content: 3 lectures and 0 quizzes - Lecture: [Free lecture 1](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_5227) (Duration: 00:10; Free) - This free lecture showcases how pPOCUS can radically change the treatment and management of patients in the prehospital settings! - Lecture: [Free lecture 2](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_5228) (Duration: 00:07; Free) - This free lecture covers some tips and tricks on how to improve image quality - Patient compliance makes a big difference! - Lecture: [Free lecture 3](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_5229) (Duration: 00:12; Free) - This free lecture will give you an overview of the different protocols. ### Introduction to pPOCUS At the outset, all participants will be greeted with a warm welcome. Furthermore, attention will be drawn to the fact that ultrasound is a skill that is easily learnable. In addition, the broad learning objectives of this course will be presented. - Chapter content: 2 lectures and 1 quizzes - Chapter CME credits that can be earned: 0.25 - Lecture: [I spy with my little eye: A simple cold – turning life-threatening!](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3760) (Duration: 00:11) - This introduction lecture showcases how pPOCUS can radically change the treatment and management of patients in the prehospital settings! - Lecture: [Hocus pPOCUS – or some real magic?](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3761) (Duration: 00:06) - In this lecture you will see how simple it can be to answer specific questions with ultrasound - To exemplify this, we have invited the youngest pPOCUS sonographer you will ever see! - CME Quiz: Quiz - Introduction to pPOCUS (CME: 0.25) - Here's a short quiz to complete the introduction chapter of this course. ### pPOCUS Basics In this section, participants will learn the fundamental principles of physics, relevant artifacts, and the most commonly used buttons and settings. Tips and tricks for improving image quality, as well as the handling of the ultrasound transducer, will also be discussed. - Chapter content: 5 lectures and 1 quizzes - Chapter CME credits that can be earned: 1.25 - Lecture: [Physical Background: Speed of sound](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3762) (Duration: 00:17) - Here, we aim to discuss the physical background of ultrasound. Understanding the basics will assist us in image generation, orientation, and, in a broader sense, in diagnostics. As ultrasound waves are mechanical waves that propagate through a medium, it can be helpful to... - Lecture: [Probes and Knobology: Who's joining the party?](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3763) (Duration: 00:22) - In this lecture we will explore how an ultrasound transducer works and why there are different transducers with varying frequencies! - Lecture: [Applying proper technique: Rocking, tilting, rotating](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3764) (Duration: 00:09) - Here you learn how to manoeuvre the transducer! - Lecture: [Tips & Tricks: Can you see what I see?](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3765) (Duration: 00:07) - Here are some tips and tricks on how to improve image quality - Patient compliance makes a big difference! - Lecture: [Artifacts: Mirror mirror on the diaphragm](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3766) (Duration: 00:14) - Mirrors, shadows and other magic things you can find during ultrasound! - CME Quiz: Quiz - pPOCUS Basics (CME: 1.25) - This quiz tests your understanding of fundamental principles of physics, relevant ultrasound artifacts, and the most commonly used buttons and settings. Questions like how to improve the image quality, as well as how to handle the ultrasound transducer, will also be part of the quiz. ### Abdomen In this section, the focus is on the sonographic examination of the abdomen, with particular emphasis on the identification of free fluid in the Morison, Koller, Douglas, or Proust spaces. Additionally, the most common pathologies and their etiology, as well as treatment options, will be discussed. - Chapter content: 6 lectures and 1 quizzes - Chapter CME credits that can be earned: 2 - Lecture: [Introduction & Peritonealsitus: Is there something behind it?](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3805) (Duration: 00:17) - In this lecture, you will get an overview of the abdominal organs and their location in the retroperitoneal, intraperitoneal, or subperitoneal compartment. Furthermore, a patient case presentation exemplifies why you should be cautious when stating "no free fluid in the abdomen"... - Lecture: [Kidney and urogential tract: Rock solid](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3806) (Duration: 00:21) - In this lectures, you learn how to scan the kidneys and the male and female pelvis with the bladder, the uterus, the prostate. You learn how to recognize nephro- or urolithiasis hydronephrosis, one of the main reasons for acute abdominal pain! - Lecture: [Morison Pouch, liver and gallbladder:](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3807) (Duration: 00:20) - In this lecture, you will learn how to find the morison's pouch on ultrasound and why it is important to look at this region. The basics of liver ultrasound are covered. Most importantly, you will learn how to recognize gallbladder stones and cholecystitis. - Lecture: [Spleen and Koller Pouch: A deer story](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3809) (Duration: 00:10) - A short introduction about the spleen size in deers gives you an idea of the importance of this organ. Also in humans, it can be increased in size in some situations. You learn how to scan it, measure, and evaluate blood flow - We also cover the assessment of Koller's pouch to... - Lecture: [Free fluid and ascites: Everything comes and goes in waves](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3810) (Duration: 00:09) - This lecture focuses on free fluid assessment may it be due to bleeding in trauma or due to (chronic) ascites! - Lecture: [Imaging the intestines: Play the piano](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3811) (Duration: 00:17) - This lecture teaches you how to image the intestines! The focus is on the pathologies appendicitis and ileus! - CME Quiz: Quiz - Abdomen (CME: 2) ### Thorax In thoracic sonography, artifacts such as A- and B-lines are discussed, with a primary focus on pneumothorax and pleural effusion, as well as hemothorax. Additionally, pathologies like pulmonary edema will be addressed, and the interpretation of specific images will be practiced using case examples. - Chapter content: 5 lectures and 1 quizzes - Chapter CME credits that can be earned: 1 - Lecture: [Introduction to lung ultrasound: Beyond the air](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3812) (Duration: 00:05) - Lecture: [Helpful artefacts: A or B?](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3813) (Duration: 00:14) - Lecture: [Pneumothorax: Till I collapse](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3814) (Duration: 00:15) - Lecture: [Pulmonary edema: drowning or not?](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3815) (Duration: 00:14) - Lecture: [Pleural effusion: Close the curtains](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3816) (Duration: 00:09) - CME Quiz: Quiz - Thorax (CME: 1) - You are about to start the "Thorax" quiz and evaluation. The quiz contains 8 questions, so you need to answer 6 correctly (pass mark 75%). We designed the quiz as a learning experience as well, it is not just a testing tool. Some questions were not taken directly from the course. Once you have done the quiz, complete the short evaluation to be able to claim your CME certificate. We wish you good luck! All the best, your 123sonography team ### Echocardiography In the echocardiography chapter, we will begin by discussing positional relationships and anatomical considerations. Participants will familiarize themselves with standard views and aim to assess left ventricular function through eyeballing and simple measurements. The discussion will extend to the right heart, with a clear emphasis on detecting pulmonary embolism. In preclinical emergency medicine, recognizing pericardial tamponade/effusion is of significant importance. Additionally, we will delve into topics such as valves, wall motion abnormalities, and vegetations. - Chapter content: 10 lectures and 1 quizzes - Chapter CME credits that can be earned: 3.5 - Lecture: [Introduction to echocardiography: Thomas' favourite](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3817) (Duration: 00:30) - Lecture: [Where to start? The first look](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3818) (Duration: 00:18) - Lecture: [Standard cuts: One heart, many views](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3819) (Duration: 00:23) - Lecture: [Left ventricular function: Pump's basic mission](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3820) (Duration: 00:20) - Lecture: [The right heart: a sensitive soul](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3821) (Duration: 00:20) - Lecture: [Pulmonary embolism: Heavy luggage](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3822) (Duration: 00:09) - Lecture: [Myocardial Infarction and Wall Motion Abnormalities](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3823) (Duration: 00:26) - Lecture: [Valvular Heart Disease](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3824) (Duration: 00:19) - Lecture: [Pericardial effusion/tamponade: Under pressure](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3825) (Duration: 00:14) - Lecture: [Aortic dissection: Rescue me](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_3826) (Duration: 00:23) - CME Quiz: Quiz - Echocardiography (CME: 3.5) ### Protocols In the Protocol Section, the objective is to synthesize the acquired knowledge of various views and recognized pathologies. Participants will gain insight into the application of specific protocols and the optimal sequence for conducting examinations. - Chapter content: 8 lectures and 1 quizzes - Chapter CME credits that can be earned: 2 - Lecture: [Protocols overview](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4924) (Duration: 00:12) - Lecture: [eFAST](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4925) (Duration: 00:21) - Lecture: [FATE - Part 1](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4926) (Duration: 00:20) - Lecture: [FATE - Part 2](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4927) (Duration: 00:13) - Lecture: [RUSH Protocol](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4930) (Duration: 00:12) - Lecture: [Resuscitation - Part 1](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4928) (Duration: 00:14) - Lecture: [Resuscitation - Part 2](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4931) (Duration: 00:14) - Lecture: [Resuscitation - Case example](/courses/prehospital-point-care-ultrasound-ppocus#sg_course_lecture_4932) (Duration: 00:05) - CME Quiz: Quiz - Protocols (CME: 2)