Basic First Aid: Examining the Victim
Author: tiger Published Under: Health
While assessing the situation and responding correctly is one of the most important parts of preforming first aid, it is also important to physically examine the victim. Of course, the physical examination should only occur once you have preformed the DRSABC Sequence to ensure they are not in imminent danger.
When examining the person, make sure to remain gentle, but as professional as possible given the situation. Try to avoid moving them, as this can also cause more serious injuries.
Obtain Permission Whenever Possible
To begin with, make sure to ask the person for their permission by saying something to the effect of “I just need to check you for injuries, is that okay?” If at all possible, make sure their friends, family, or a bystander is also present.
Observe the Victim
One of the first parts of an examination involves simply looking at the individual, as this can tell you a lot about their condition and reveal obvious injuries.
Observe the color of their skin, as well as how easily they are breathing. It is common for their adrenalin to be churning and for them to be breathing rapidly, but pay attention to any labored breathing or coughing sounds, which could be indicative of a serious injury. Also, make sure to check for any type of medic alert bracelet, which will indicate a known medical condition.
Examine the Head
Begin by examining their head for any signs of trauma or injury. Check to see if they are bleeding from their ears or nose, as well as checking for other cuts or scrapes.
Check the victims mouth to make sure that their airway is clear,. If they are wearing dentures that have become displaced, try to remove them if possible, but only if this can be done easily.
Check for any smell of alcohol, but do not focus on the person being drunk or under the influence, as this might have been a catalyst to the incident, but it doesn't change the fact that they are hurt.
Also, check the persons eyes, as this can provide an indication of their condition. If their pupils are of different sizes, it is likely they have experienced a concussion or serious brain injury. If their pupils are very large or small, it could be they are on drugs, but just as with alcohol, do not get too hung up on this, instead merely filing it away for your knowledge.
Examine the Neck
Next, check the neck and make sure that the victims clothing is not restricting their breathing. Some people wear medic alert necklaces, so also check for this. Gently feel their neck, starting along the back, checking for any swelling or bruises. Take special care to not move or jar the head during this examination.
Examine the Chest and Abdomen
First, observe the chest to check for breathing. If the person has an object stuck in their chest, do not attempt to remove it.
Check the ribcage for bruising or swelling, as well as the checking the collar bone. If medical services are delayed and the victim is wearing heavy clothing, it may be necessary to check under their clothes, but this should only be done if needed. Also, check for any swelling or lumps around the abdomen.
Examine the Lower Back and Pelvis
Check for any damage to the pelvis, but be very careful, as an injured pelvis will be very painful. If you believe the person may have suffered a back injury, do not move the back or attempt to examine it, as even a slight movement could cause serious damage.
If you do not think there is a back injury, you can lightly feel the back for any swelling or tender areas.
Examine the Arms and Legs
First, observe the persons legs and ask them if they are able to feel their legs. Ask them to grip your hand and try to tense their leg muscles. Check the color of their toes, as this can provide one of the firs indications of a circulation problem.
A Word of Caution
Whenever touching the victim, always try to use as light of a touch as possible, as well as paying attention to their reaction. If something is obviously painful, take care to not touch this area or jar them. Again, it is a good idea to make sure someone else is present during the examination.