SCENE Survey (Primary and Secondary)

Let's take a look at this accident scenario in a kitchen:

Fumi needs to boil some eggs for breakfast, she steps into the kitchen with her phone because she' on call. In the process of lighting up the gas stove, there comes an explosion from the gas throwing Fumi far away. The gas stove is shattered, dark clouds with fire left and right, she' injured, in pains, little strength to lift herself up and walk.


You got there before any other person. It would be wrong for you to just go in right away without having to consider that, the roof could possible come down, the fire might just be starting or possibly another explosion thereby putting yourselves in danger and of no use to the Fumi.

You need to check for DANGER that the situation you are entering does not put you in danger before proceeding to help the injured person. You can only proceed to help if the area is safe from any other danger.

Question: How do you check for Danger?

SCENE SURVEY

Scene survey consist of two types:

• The primary surveyThe primary survey is a quick way to figure out how to treat any life threatening conditions a casualty may have in order of priority. As a First Aider, given the above scene, before you think of assisting the victim, you need to do a primary survey, having this acronym in mind DRSABCD.
  
  D - DANGER: always check the danger to you, any bystanders and then the injured or ill person before proceeding.
  R - RESPONSE: is the person conscious? Do they respond when you talk to them, touch their hands or squeeze their shoulders? You can introduce your self if they respond and request permission from them before you proceed
  S-SEND FOR HELP: call 999 or send for help. Don't forget wait and answer all the questions asked by the operators when they arrive.
  A - AIRWAY: is the person's airway clear? If their mouth is clear, gently lift their chin to tilt their head back, check for breathing and continue to monitor the situation.
  B - BREATHING: look for breathing (up and down chest movement). See if you can feel their breaths on your cheek. Listen for breaths by putting your ear near to their mouth
  C - CHEST COMPRESSION: continuous chest compression and stop when there is sign of life, you are exhausted, the area becomes unsafe for you, an EMS personnel takes over from you.
  D - Defibrillator: for unconscious adults who are not breathing, get the nearest defibrillator. Some AEDs may not be suitable for children.
  
   
• The secondary survey
  
  If the patient is conscious then we proceed with the secondary survey. The secondary survery is done in other to identify any bleeding or fractures. This system starts from the head and works down to the legs.
  
  Bleeding: Carryout out a head to toe check for bleeding.
  Head & Neck: Clues to look out for are: bruising, swelling, deformity or bleeding (See Spinal Injuries).
  Shoulders & Chest: Place both hands on opposite shoulders, run them down comparing both sides of the body. (See Fractures & Dislocation).
  Abdomen & Pelvis: Place palm of hand onto abdomen and push gently checking for painful responses from patient.
  Legs & Arms: Using both your hands compare both arms and legs for fractures, dislocations, look also for medic alerts.
  Pockets: Look for clues, ID medical jewellery, such as medic alerts which might indicate any existing medical condition.
  Recovery Position: If patient is unconscious place them in the recovery position (see Recovery Position).
• It also includes obtaining a patient history and vital signs and the acronym used for this is SAMPLE:

It also includes obtaining a patient history and vital signs and the acronym used for this is:

S = Signs & symptoms.

A = Allergies.

M = Medications.

P = Pertinent past medical history.

L = Last oral intake.

E = Events leading to the illness or injury.

Reference:
http://www.redcross.ca/
http://www.ascotcare.com/
http://www.firstresponse.org.uk