Injury Assessment First Aid Guide For Common Injuries

STOP - Assess and observe the scene
THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan
ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
Perform a primary assessment and monitor the patient's lifeline - ABCD'S
Explain the assessment procedure to the patient & Apply Barriers
Begin at the patient's head
• Treat the patient in the position found
• Stabilize the head and neck and ask the patient to respond verbally
• Check the forehead, cheeks and chin for deformities
• Check the ears and nose for blood and/or fluid
• Ask the patient to track your finger in front of their eyes for smooth tracking (no head movement)
• Check the pupils for equal size and reaction to light
• Feel the skull and neck for abnormalities
Shoulders, Arms, Chest & Abdomen
• Slide your hands over the shoulder blades and gently push your palms against the back
• Move your hands outward to the shoulders and gently press inward
• Run two fingers cautiously over the collarbones
• Slide a hand down each arm, stabilizing the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints
  (Check for swelling, hardness, tissue softness, points of tenderness or deformities)
  (Ask the patient to wiggle the fingers & squeeze)
• Gently press the rib cage
• Reach around and feel along the spinal column from each side without moving the patient
• Gently push on the abdomen, right & left side and above & below the navel
Hips, Legs & Feet
• Gently push inward on the hip bones
• Slide a hand down each leg, knee, lower leg and ankle
  (Check for swelling, hardness, tissue softness, points of tenderness or deformities)
  (Ask the patient to wiggle the toes or press the sole of their foot against your hand)
Note areas of pain or abnormality to report to EMS personnel
Continue to monitor the patient's lifeline
Avoid giving injured patient's anything to eat or drink should they need surgery

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