The Practice of First Aid 1 Initial Assessment When you are sure that it is safe to do so, quickly perform

a brief examination of the casualty. This initial assessment is to check for any life-threatening conditions that need urgent first aid to preserve life. Check for consciousness If the casualty does not respond hen spoken to, he may be unconscious. Try to elicit a response. !e careful not to move the head or neck. "pen the air ay #n unconscious casualty$s air ay may be obstructed % by a foreign body, for example. "pen the air by tilting the head back. Check for breathing "nce the casualty$s air ay is open, establish hether he is breathing by listening, looking and feeling for signs. Check for circulation If the heart is beating, you should be able to feel a pulse in the neck or at the rist. Check for a baby$s pulse on the inside of the upper arm. Check for bleeding &evere loss of blood reduces the circulation to the vital organs, and can cause serious shock. #s soon as you have established the condition of the casualty, take appropriate action, based on hether he is' unconscious, not breathing, and ithout a pulse unconscious, not breathing, ith a pulse unconscious, breathing, ith a pulse conscious, breathing, ith a pulse 2 Making a Diagnosis "nce you have competed your initial assessment and made sure that the casualty is out of immediate danger, you need to make a diagnosis( this often requires a thorough physical examination. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and clues to any medical condition, and symptoms and signs. Circumstances ill determine ho detailed your examination ill be. In et, cold conditions, hen an ambulance is on its ay, only serious in)uries need attention % the priority is to keep the casualty arm and dry.