1. Chapter 5
Checking
The
Victim

2. Checking for Life Threatening Conditions
Unconsciousness
Not breathing or trouble breathing
Severe bleeding
Actions you will take depend on the conditions you find

3. Checking for Consciousness
First – determine if the victim is conscious
Gently tap on shoulder (adult) and ask “Are you okay” – do not jostle or move victim
For an infant – tap shoulder or flick foot
If conscious- introduce yourself, get consent to give care
Look for signals of injury or illness
Use bystanders for information, to call 9-1-1
Ask questions about what happened

4. Checking for Consciousness
If unconscious, situation is different
Life threatening
Call or local emergency # immediately
Have bystanders call for you
If alone – Call first (9-1-1) before giving care for
Unconscious adult victim or adolescent 12 or older
Unconscious infant/child known to be at high risk for heart problems
Witnessed sudden collapse of a child/infant

5. Checking for Consciousness
If alone – Care first (2 min. of care) then call for
A unwitnessed collapse of child/infant
Victim of submersion
Victim of cardiac arrest associated w/trauma
Victim of drug overdose

6. Checking for Consciousness
If you leave the scene to call 9-1-1, place the unconscious victim in the H.A.I.N.E.S. position. In case they vomit.
This position is called the Recovery Position
To roll victim onto side, extend arm above head and other across chest
Bend top leg and move it forward
Support head/neck as roll onto side
Position head/neck so face is angled toward ground

7. Checking an Unconscious Person
Always check an unconscious person -
ABC’s
Airway- open the airway
Breathing- check for breathing
Circulation- check for signs of life and severe bleeding

8. Checking an Unconscious Person
Airway- after has been called
Check to see if airway is open and person is breathing
If face down, roll victim over by supporting head/neck, hand on hip and pull towards you
To open- push down on forehead while pulling up on bony part of jaw w/2 or 3 fingers of other hand to lift chin
Known as head-tilt/chin lift technique
This moves tongue away from back of throat allowing air to enter lungs

9. Checking an Unconscious Person
Breathing- check an unconscious person carefully for signals of breathing
Look, listen, and feel for no more than 10 seconds
Lean over victim’s head so that you can hear and feel air as it escapes from the nose and mouth
Look to see if victim’s chest rises at the same time
Not breathing- give 2 rescue breaths each lasting 1 second (pinch nose and release between breaths)for child/infant only
If air goes in (chest rises), check for signs of life (normal breathing, movement and a pulse for children and infants for no more than 10 sec.)

10. Checking an Unconscious Person
Circulation-
Adult – check for signs of life for no more than 10 sec.
Child/infant – check pulse
Severe Bleeding-
Check victim from head to toe for signs of bleeding

11. Special Considerations
Air in Stomach –Gastric Distention
Vomiting
Mouth-to-Nose Breathing
Mouth-to-Stoma Breathing
Head, Neck and/or Spine Injury
Dentures
Drowning Victim

12. Checking a Conscious Victim
Checking conscious victim w/no immediate life threatening conditions
1. Interview victim and bystanders
- first identify yourself and get
consent
-ask victim’s name
-ask questions
a) what happened?
b) do you feel pain/discomfort anywhere?
c) do you have allergies?
d) any medical conditions/taking medications?
e) look for Medical ID Tags

13. Checking a Conscious Victim
If in pain- ask where it hurts and to describe it?
When did it start?
Write down what you learn
Helps EMS to determine type of medical care needed

14. Checking a Conscious Victim
2. Check victim from head to toe- for cuts, bumps, bruises, and depressions
- tell victim what you are doing first
-use your senses: sight, sound, touch, smell
to detect anything abnormal
a) head – look at face, nose, mouth, eyes,
scalp
b) skin appearance and temperature
c) neck – ask to move it side-side

15. Checking a Conscious Victim
d) shoulders- shrug
e) chest and abdomen- deep breath
f) arms- raise one at a time
g) hands and fingers
h) hips, legs, feet
i) slowly stand if everything is ok

16. Checking a Conscious Victim
Giving Care: for what you find
Do no further harm
Monitor breathing and consciousness
Help victim rest in most comfortable position
Keep victim from getting cold/overheated
Reassure victim
Give any specific care needed

17. Checking a Conscious Victim
Deciding to Transport
Do Not transport a victim
When trip may aggravate injury or illness or cause additional injury
When victim has or may develop a life-threatening condition
If you are unsure of the nature of the injury or illness
Discourage victim from driving his/herself to hospital

18. Checking Infants/Children
Infants – 0 to 1 year of age
Children – 1 to 12 years of age
Observe carefully before touching him/her for changes in condition may occur rapidly
If parent is present, ask them to calm child and get permission (consent) to give care
Get at eye level with child and talk clearly (slowly) and in a friendly manner with parent and child
Start check from the toes first to help calm child

19. Checking Older Adults (over 65)
Learn victims name- use Mr. or Mrs. as a sign of respect
Get at eye level so they can see and hear you more clearly
Speak slowly and clearly
Confusion may be result of injury or condition the victim already has
Find out what medications victim is taking

20. Shock
Sudden illness or injury may cause interruptions in the normal body functions.
With more severe injuries or illness, the body is unable to meet its demands for oxygen.
Condition in which the body fails to circulate oxygen-rich blood to all the parts of the body is know as Shock.
Left untreated, shock can lead to death.