Lesson 2 :Lesson 2 :Primary Assessment Primary Assessment

Emergency Reference Guide p. 19-20Emergency Reference Guide p. 19-20

ObjectivesObjectives

• Describe importance of controlling scene• Describe importance of establishing safety

of scene• Describe Mechanism Of Injury(MOI) & its

importance• Demonstrate how to perform a primary

assessment

Establishing Control of SceneEstablishing Control of Scene

• Emergencies by nature tend to be chaotic and emotional

• Risks increase, if situation is uncontrolled• Clear leadership is essential• The leader often emerges when the

emergency happens

The Emotionally Upset PatientThe Emotionally Upset Patient

What are the Essential Qualities What are the Essential Qualities of a Leader?of a Leader?

• Competent, knows Wilderness/Remote 1st Aid

• Appears & acts confident• Speaks with authority• Stays calm• Listens to others in the group

Leader’s RoleLeader’s Role

• Do no further harm• Do greatest good for the greatest number• Goals:

– Control scene– See the “big picture”– Care for life threatening & non-life threatening

conditions– Plan evacuation for the group

Checking the Scene Checking the Scene • Check – Call – Care• Check:

– Check the scene• Safety – danger to the victim or rescuers?• MOI or nature of illness

– Check the patient– Check the resources

• Who is available to help?• How far to get more help/advanced help?• Supplies and materials available?

Checking the Scene Checking the Scene (cont’d.)(cont’d.)

• Use standard procedures to protect against disease transmission

• Approach scene cautiously• Determine MOI (Mechanism Of Injury), look for

clues• Avoid “tunnel vision”

– Look for all injuries– Consider all aspects of the scene

Emergency Move Emergency Move ConsiderationsConsiderations

• May need to move patient to safer location• Need to balance danger of environmental

threats with danger of movement• Limit number of people exposed to any

hazards• Always support head/neck of patient when

moving

Checking the PatientChecking the Patient

Checking the PatientChecking the PatientPrimary AssessmentPrimary Assessment

• Talk to patient:– Tell them you are trained– Ask for consent to help them

• Control person and gather information:– Ask them to not move– Get chief complaints from patient– If head/neck/back injury is suspected/possible,

restrain head from moving

Checking the PatientChecking the PatientABCDE MethodABCDE Method

• A = check airway, is it open?• B = check breathing, is it effective?• C = circulation, pulse, look for severe

bleeding• D = disability, possible damage to spinal

cord? Immobilize until sure• E = environment & exposure, assess

threat from environment (i.e. cold, heat)

Re-Check ResourcesRe-Check Resources

• After doing ABCDEs assessment ask:– Easy/quick way to get help?– Are needed resources available?– Can the patient be safely moved, if needed?– What group resources do we need? What do

we have?

ScenarioScenario

• There is no moonlight, it is windy & the temperature is 40F. There is lightening in the distance that is coming closer. Camper Timmy went to sleep uncharacteristically early, saying he was not felling so great. You smell toxic gas coming from the area of the tent & are worried. You go to check on him.

SummarySummary

• Check the scene for safety• Check the patient for life threatening

injuries/illnesses• Check your resources• Emergency moves done only when risk of

not moving is greater than risk of moving

Questions???Questions???

What else could you add to your What else could you add to your First Aid Kit?First Aid Kit?