Req 1a — Assessing an Emergency

When you come upon an emergency, your natural instinct might be to rush in and help immediately. That instinct is admirable — but it can get you hurt or make things worse. The key to effective first aid is a calm, systematic approach that keeps you safe while giving the victim the best possible care.

Check, Call, Care

The three-word framework Check, Call, Care gives you a simple way to remember the correct order of actions in any emergency.

Step 1: Check the Scene

Before you touch anyone, stop and look around. Ask yourself:

• Is the scene safe? Look for dangers like traffic, fire, downed power lines, unstable structures, chemical spills, or aggressive animals. If the scene is not safe, do not enter — you will only add another victim.
• What happened? Look for clues. A fallen ladder, an overturned pot on the stove, or a bicycle in the road can tell you a lot about how the person was injured.
• How many people are hurt? There may be more than one victim.
• Are bystanders available to help? Other people can call 911, get supplies, or direct traffic.

Step 2: Check the Victim

Once the scene is safe, approach the victim and check their condition:

1. Tap and shout. Gently tap the person’s shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” This tells you whether they are conscious.
2. Look for life-threatening conditions. Is the person breathing? Are they bleeding severely? Are they choking?
3. Get consent. If the person is conscious, introduce yourself and ask permission to help. Say something like, “Hi, I’m a Scout trained in first aid. Can I help you?” If the person is unconscious or unable to respond, consent is implied — you can and should help.

Step 3: Call for Help

If the situation is serious, call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away — or have a bystander do it. You will learn more about this in the next requirement.

Step 4: Care for the Victim

Provide first aid based on what you find. Always address the most life-threatening conditions first:

1. Breathing — Is the airway open? Is the person breathing?
2. Bleeding — Is there severe, uncontrolled bleeding?
3. Shock — Is the person showing signs of shock?

The ABCDE Assessment

Medical professionals use the ABCDE framework to quickly evaluate a patient. You can use a simplified version:

• A — Airway: Is the airway clear? Is anything blocking it?
• B — Breathing: Is the person breathing normally? How fast? How deep?
• C — Circulation: Is there a pulse? Is there severe bleeding?
• D — Disability: Is the person alert? Can they move their arms and legs?
• E — Exposure: Are there injuries you cannot see? Do you need to look under clothing (while maintaining dignity and privacy)?

Putting It All Together

Here is how a real scenario might play out: