SCENE SURVEY

SCENE SURVEY

1. IMPORTANCE

   • Identify and reduce any potential environmental risk and danger
   • Identify main injury / complaint mechanism.
   • identify number of patients

2. ELEMENTAL STEPS

   • Remember DR. ABC
     • DANGER
       • If someone needs help, before you go up to them check – is it safe?
         • • No: If you can see or hear any danger nearby, for you or them, like broken glass or oncoming traffic, then make the situation safe before you get any closer.
         • • Yes: If you can’t see or hear any danger then it is safe to go up to them.
     • RESPONSE
       • Do they respond when you ask them: ‘Are you alright?’ or if you say: ‘Open your eyes!’
         • Yes: If they respond by making eye contact with you or some gesture then you know that they’re responsive and you can move on to the next stage.
         • No: If they don’t respond, pinch their ear lobe or gently shake their shoulders, or with a child - tap their shoulder, and with a baby - tap their foot.
     • AIRWAY
       • Is their airway open and clear?
         • No
           • o Responsive: If they’re responsive, treat them for conditions that may be blocking their airway, such as choking. Only move on to the next stage – Breathing – once their airway is open and clear.
           • o Unresponsive: If they’re unresponsive, tilt their head and lift their chin to open their airway. Only move on to the next stage – Breathing – once their airway is open and clear.
         • • Yes: If their airway is open and clear, move on to the next stage – Breathing.
     • CIRCULATION
       • Are there any signs of severe bleeding?
         • Yes: If they’re bleeding severely, control the bleeding with your gloved fingers, dressing or clothing, call 999/112 for an ambulance and treat them to reduce the risk of them going into shock.
         • No: If they aren’t bleeding, and you’re sure you have dealt with any life-threatening conditions, then you can move on to the Secondary Survey, to check for any other injuries or illnesses.
     • BREATHING
       • Are they breathing normally? You need to look, listen and feel to check they’re breathing.
         • No
           • o Responsive: If they’re responsive, treat them for whatever is stopping them breathing, for example, an obstructed airway. Then go to the next stage – Circulation
           • o Unresponsive: If they’re unresponsive and not breathing, call 999/112 for an ambulance, or get someone else to call if possible, and start giving chest compressions and rescue breaths CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If this happens you probably won’t move on to the next stage as the casualty needs resuscitation.
         • • Yes: If they are breathing normally, move on to the next stage – circulation.