Emergency Response

Scene assessment, calling for help, and initial response procedures.

The First 60 Seconds

What you do in the first minute sets the stage for everything that follows.

Stay calm. Panic helps no one. Take a breath.

Scene Assessment

Before You Approach

Stop and assess:

1. Is the scene safe for YOU?
2. What happened?
3. How many victims?
4. What resources are available?

Scene Safety Hazards

If the scene is not safe, DO NOT ENTER.

Call 911 and report the hazard. Wait for professionals.

Personal Protective Equipment

Use when available:

• Gloves (protect from bloodborne pathogens)
• Face shield/mask (if performing rescue breathing)
• Eye protection (if splashing risk)

Improvise if necessary:

• Plastic bags as gloves
• Cloth as barrier
• Any barrier between you and bodily fluids

Initial Assessment of Victim

Check Responsiveness

1. Approach safely
2. Tap shoulder firmly
3. Ask loudly: "Are you okay? Can you hear me?"

If responsive:

• Introduce yourself
• Ask permission to help
• Ask what happened
• Assess injuries

If unresponsive:

• Immediately call 911 (or shout for help)
• Check for breathing
• Begin appropriate care

Check Breathing

Look for 10 seconds:

• Chest rise and fall
• Listen for breath sounds
• Feel for breath on your cheek

Normal breathing: Proceed with assessment No breathing or gasping: Begin CPR immediately

Calling Emergency Services

When to Call 911

• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Severe bleeding
• Signs of stroke
• Severe burns
• Poisoning
• Severe allergic reaction
• Major trauma
• Drowning
• Electrical shock

When in doubt, call.

How to Call 911

Provide:

1. Your location (address, landmarks, GPS coordinates)
2. Phone number you're calling from
3. What happened
4. Number of victims
5. Condition of victims
6. Care being provided
7. Any hazards

Stay on the line. Dispatcher may give instructions.

If Someone Else Is Available

Delegate the call:

• Point to specific person: "You in the red shirt"
• Give clear instructions: "Call 911"
• Tell them to report back: "Come tell me when you've called"

Triage: Multiple Victims

When there are more victims than rescuers, prioritize.

START Triage System

Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment:

Can they walk?
    ↓ Yes → MINOR (Green) - Walking wounded
    ↓ No
        ↓
Are they breathing?
    ↓ No → Open airway → Still not breathing → DECEASED (Black)
    ↓ Yes                       ↓ Now breathing → IMMEDIATE (Red)
        ↓
Respiratory rate > 30/min?
    ↓ Yes → IMMEDIATE (Red)
    ↓ No
        ↓
Radial pulse absent OR capillary refill > 2 sec?
    ↓ Yes → IMMEDIATE (Red)
    ↓ No
        ↓
Can they follow simple commands?
    ↓ No → IMMEDIATE (Red)
    ↓ Yes → DELAYED (Yellow)

Triage Categories

In mass casualty: Help the most people possible. Spend seconds, not minutes, on each initial assessment.

Moving a Victim

General Rule: Don't Move Them

Moving can worsen:

• Spinal injuries
• Fractures
• Internal bleeding

Only move if:

• Scene becomes unsafe (fire, explosion risk)
• You need access to perform CPR
• They're in immediate danger

Emergency Moves

If you must move:

Protect the spine:

• Support head and neck
• Move as a unit
• Don't twist

Obtaining Consent

Conscious Adults

• Identify yourself
• Ask permission: "I'm trained in first aid. May I help you?"
• Explain what you want to do
• Respect refusal (competent adults can refuse care)

Implied Consent

Assumed for:

• Unconscious persons
• Altered mental status
• Minors without parent present (in life-threatening situation)
• When consent cannot reasonably be obtained

Documenting Care

Note:

• Time of incident
• Time of your arrival
• Victim's condition
• Interventions you performed
• Changes in condition
• Time EMS arrived

This helps medical professionals and may be needed legally.

Interacting with Victims

Communication Tips

Do:

• Introduce yourself
• Stay at their level
• Speak calmly and clearly
• Explain what you're doing
• Listen to them
• Reassure without false promises

Don't:

• Lie about severity
• Make promises you can't keep
• Discuss worst-case scenarios
• Leave them alone unnecessarily

Managing Bystanders

Helpful bystanders:

• Assign specific tasks
• "Call 911"
• "Get the first aid kit"
• "Direct traffic away"
• "Find an AED"

Unhelpful bystanders:

• Calmly ask them to step back
• "Please give us some space"
• Assign them a task to redirect energy

After the Emergency

Emotional Response

After an emergency, you may experience:

• Shaking or trembling
• Nausea
• Delayed emotional reaction
• Difficulty sleeping
• Replaying the event

This is normal. Talk to someone. Seek support if symptoms persist.

Critical Incident Stress

If the incident was severe:

• Talk about it with supportive people
• Give yourself time to process
• Seek professional help if needed
• Don't isolate

Reporting

Depending on context, you may need to:

• File incident report (workplace)
• Provide statement (if requested)
• Follow up with any requirements

Key Principles

1. Scene safety first - You can't help if you become a victim
2. Call for help early - Don't delay 911
3. Stay calm - Your demeanor affects everyone
4. Do what you can - Some help is better than no help
5. Know your limits - Don't exceed your training
6. Document - Note times and interventions