The Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, And Recovery Position Flashcards
What does DRABC stand for?
Danger
Response
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
This is the primary survey. You should shout for help throughout.
What is done in the Danger step of the primary survey?
Identify any danger in the casualty’s environment that needs removing before anyone can approach them to provide aid.
Consider what might have caused the injury, and whether it might injure you too. Look for other potential dangers caused by the accident.
What is done in the Response step of the primary survey?
Identify if the casualty is responsive.
- “Are you ok?”
- “Can you open your eyes/raise your hand?”
- Tap on their arms
- Gently shake shoulders (crossed arms) - don’t shake firmly, since could worsen spinal injury
What is done in the Airway step of the primary survey?
If responsive:
- Check their mouth for anything visibly blocking airway - encourage them to remove it themselves (either with hands or coughing)
If unresponsive:
- Place a hand on forehead and 2 fingers under chin and tilt head back. Prevents tongue blocking airway. Check mouth for any obstructions.
- If obstruction visible, you can attempt to remove - do not do this if obstruction not visible since you could worsen things.
What is done in the Breathing step of the primary survey?
Look, listen and feel for breathing
- Look to see if their chest is rising and falling
- Listen to nose and mouth
- Feel for air on your cheek
How do you respond to different breathing conditions during the primary survey?
Responsive and breathing normally:
- Move on
Unresponsive and breathing normally:
- Recovery position
Responsive and not breathing normally:
- Work to clear airways (see choking)
Unresponsive and not breathing normally:
- Call 999, begin CPR, find defribillator
When might you not do CPR for an unresponsive patient with abnormal breathing?
If the casualty has severe bleeding, this must be treated before beginning CPR. The 999 handler will advise on this.
What should you do in the Circulation step of the primary survey?
Check visually and with the back of your hand around them.
If bleeding heavily:
- Control bleeding by applying direct pressure
- Call 999 or 112
If unresposinve and breathing normally, and not breathing severely:
- Put in recovery position
- Call 999
If casualty responsive and not severaly bleeding:
- Keep them calm and reassure them
- Start the secondary survey
Remember, only do this if casualty is breathing normally - otherwise treat that first
What is the Secondary Survey?
If the casualty is breathing and responsive, gather more information by asking questions about the incident and their symptoms.
What questions should you ask the casualty in the Secondary Survey?
What happened?
What are the symptoms?
- Are you in any pain/feeling confused?
- Where is your pain located?
- When did your pain start?
- Can you describe your pain? (Dull/sharp, constant/irregular?)
- How would you rate your pain from 1-10?
What should you ask yourself during a secondary survey?
What can I see?
- Look for secondary injuries such as bleeding or bruising. If safe, see if they can move their limbs.
Try to keep casualty in the position found unless certain it’s safe to move them into a position
more suitable for their injury.
What can I feel?
- Check for broken bones or swelling. Compare both sides of body.
What can I smell?
- Alcohol? Fruity smell (often indicates diabetes)?
What is AMPLE and when would you ask it?
You would ask AMPLE during a secondary survey. It stands for a series of questions:
- Allergies
- Medications
- Previous medical history
- Last meal
E - Event history (lead up to the incident)
If unresponsive you can check for any medication on their person. Pass this information onto call handler or paramedics.
When should you perform a full body examination?
During the secondary survey. Perform this gently, and with respect.
What should you note in a full body examination?
- Breathing (speed, strength)
- Bleeding
- Sensitivity/dents/swelling in head/neck
- Fluid or blood from ears or nose
- Smell of breath
- Size of pupils
- Injuries to mouth
- Skin colour/temp
- Swelling/soreness/deformity of spine, rib cage/fingers
- Sense of touch in fingers
- Stiffness or soreness of abdomen
Why might someone become unconscious, and how should you respond?
Put them in the recover position.
Potential causes include:
- Fainting
- Body temp imbalance
- Shock
- Head injury
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Anaphylaxis
