What are the eight steps for evaluating a casualty?

• A. Responsiveness, Breathing, Pulse, Bleeding, Shock, Fractures, Burns, Head injury
• B. Consciousness, Mobility, Temperature, Pulse, Bleeding, Breathing, Shock, Head injury
• C. Appearance, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure, Bleeding, Burns
• D. Pulse, Respiration, Mental status, Pain, Bleeding, Shock, Burns, Fractures

Answer: (A)

Evaluating a casualty follows a progression that moves from immediate threats to life, toward identifying significant injuries that will shape care. Start by gauging responsiveness to determine if the person is alert or needs urgent help; this quick check tells you how to communicate and prioritize actions. Next, assess breathing to make sure the airway is open and ventilation is adequate. If breathing is absent or insufficient, you must provide ventilation to prevent brain damage from hypoxia. Then check for a pulse to judge circulation and perfusion; a weak or absent pulse signals a serious, time-sensitive problem and guides you to act quickly to support circulation.

After establishing airway and breathing and confirming circulation, address external bleeding right away because severe bleeding can kill fast if not controlled. Following that, look for signs of shock and take steps to prevent it from worsening, such as keeping the person warm and seeking advanced care promptly. Finally, identify major injuries like fractures, burns, and head injuries, which dictate immobilization, cooling, careful handling, and transport decisions.

This sequence aligns with focusing first on threats to life and then on injuries that require specific management, helping you stabilize the casualty effectively.