Trauma Assessment Abcde
Airway and Cervical Spine Protection
Check...
- Can patient speak/cry? Airway is fine then
- Look for obstruction - anything in the airway?
- Are they making choking or strange breathing sounds?
Fix...
- Remove visible objects from the mouth
- If they are chocking, using Heimlich Maneuver
- If not breathing, start CPR
Breathing
Check...
- Look: Is the chest moving up and down?
- Listen: Can you hear breathing?
- Feel: Can you feel air from their mouth or nose?
- Is breathing very fast, very slow, or very hard?
If not breathing, start CPR
Circulation - Is blood moving in the body? Is there bleeding?
- Is there heavy bleeding?
- Apply pressure / Use Tourniquet in upper arm / upper leg
- Is the skin very pale, cold, or sweaty?
- Are they feeling weak or faint?
- Lay the person flat
- Keep them warm
Disability - is the brain working
- Are they awake?
- If unconscious but breathing, place in recovery position
- Monitor breathing
- Do NOT give food or drink
- Can they respond if you talk to them?
- Can they respond if you shake or pinch them?
- Are they confused or acting strangely
Exposure - Whole body check
- Any hidden injuries?
- Burns? Swelling? Broken bones?