What is the first action taken during an initial assessment of a trauma patient?

Scene safety is the foundational first action taken during the initial assessment of a trauma patient. Ensuring the safety of both the rescuer and the patient is paramount before any other actions can be taken. It involves assessing the environment to identify any potential hazards that could harm the individual administering care or the patient themselves. This includes looking out for traffic, hazardous materials, unstable structures, or aggressive bystanders.

After establishing that the scene is safe, providers can then move on to the next steps in patient evaluation, which includes assessing the patient’s condition, securing the airway, and checking vital signs. If a scene is not safe, any medical interventions could potentially put the rescuer at risk and might interfere with effective patient care. Therefore, prioritizing scene safety lays the groundwork for a successful and effective response to a trauma situation.