Assess Blog

When Should I Perform the Primary Assessment, Secondary Assessment, & Secondary Survey?

Question: When should I perform the primary assessment, secondary assessment (head-to-toe), and secondary survey?

Survival Med’s Answer: The primary assessment is the initial evaluation conducted as soon as possible to identify and address immediate life-threatening issues using the MARCH protocol: massive bleeding, airway, respirations, circulation, and the decision to hike out to help versus calling for emergency services like a search and rescue team or helicopter evacuation.

Ensure the person is stable before proceeding to other steps. If at any point they become unstable, reassess M-A-R-C-H.

Once the primary assessment is completed and immediate threats are managed, move on to the secondary assessment. This involves a detailed examination of injuries or illness, including a head-to-toe evaluation and focused assessment based on complaints or suspected injuries.

The secondary survey, a part of the secondary assessment, focuses on obtaining a comprehensive medical history from the person (if conscious), bystanders, or medical records. This additional information aids in providing suitable care and making informed treatment decisions.

Shick Blog

Does Neurogenic Shock Impact Blood Pressure or Blood Volume?

FAK #3

Is Betadine a Good Choice for Wound Treatment?

Barry Betha – Heat Emergencies

Barry Betha: Overheated Biker Collapses

man-first-aid-kit-fatigues

What Should I Include in a First Aid Kit for a Cross-Country Road Trip?

Diane – Fire

Diane: Backyard Blaze

Daniel – The Heimlich Maneuver

Daniel: Wife Chokes During Dinner

George – Cutting the Nerve

George: Table Saw Disaster

Electro Blog

What Should I Include as “Electrolytes” in a First Aid Kit?

Kenneth – Hypothermia

Kenneth: Cold Crisis in California Mountains

Shawn – Hunting Trip

Shawn: Lost in the Fog

Jim – Vision Loss

Jim: Worksite Eye Emergency

Tourniquet Blog

What Is the Best Knot for a Tourniquet?

Anika - Plot Twist

Anika: Rock Climbing Catastrophe

Hypo Blog

Blowup Mattresses, Burritos & Buddies: What Works To Treat Hypothermia?

Blister Blog

What’s a Dual-Layer Pad for Blister Prevention and What Product Should I to My First Aid Kit?

Thomas – Car Accident

Thomas: Telephone Pole Collision

MARCH Blog

What Do I Do During a MARCH Assessment?

ryan-jump-bag

What’s in a Paramedic’s First Aid Kit?

NEXUS Blog

When Should Spinal Immobilization Be Implemented Per NEXUS?

Rescue Breath Blog

How Many Rescue Breaths Should I Give A Drowning Victim?