Trauma deaths generally fall into a tri-modal distribution: The largest number of deaths occurs in the immediate post injury period and are most commonly due to severe injury to the central nervous system (CNS), such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries and massive hemorrhage due to injuries to the heart or major blood vessels. These injuries are catastrophic in nature, patients rarely benefit from interventions in the pre-hospital setting, often dying at the scene of the injury. The second peak of trauma deaths occurs within the first few hours after injury and is usually caused by major hemorrhage of the head, chest or abdomen. Most of these injuries are considered treatable, and effective pre-hospital trauma care and on-scene triage to an appropriate trauma center improves survival. Recent discoveries in treatment and equipment, for example, tourniquettes, hypothermia treatment, hemostatic agents may have a significant impact in this patient group. The final peak of trauma deaths occurs in the days to weeks following the injury and are most commonly a result of multi-organ failure and sepsis. Although this model is generally applicable to pediatric trauma, most deaths occur in the immediate and early phases.