The Three C's of Emergency

If you encounter an ill or injured

person, there are three simple
steps that you must take:

CHECK

Recognize
and Act

CARE CALL

Always Always Always

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 CHECK
 Check the Scene
Before rushing to help an ill or
injured person, stop and take a
good look at the scene.

 Is the scene safe for you, the ill or

injured person, and any bystanders?
 What happened? How did it happen?
 How many ill or injured people are
there?
 Is there someone to help?
 What is your initial impression of the
ill or injured person?

Always Always Always

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 CHECK
 Check the Person
(Primary Assessment)
1. Check the person to see if
he or she is responsive
2. Check the person’s ABCs:

ABC
irway
reathing
hest
Always Always Always
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 CALL
When you call, the EMS
dispatcher who answers will
likely ask:
• Where is the emergency (e.g.,
the address, nearby intersections,
or landmarks)?
• What is your name?
• What has happened?
• How many people are involved
and what is their condition?

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 CARE
Care for any life-threatening conditions first. Give the
care that is needed, within the scope of your knowledge
and training, and follow these general guidelines:

• Monitor the person’s breathing and level of responsiveness.

• Help the person rest in the most comfortable position. If
necessary, roll the person into the recovery position.
• Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated.
• Reassure the person by repeating that you are there to help and
that EMS personnel have been called (if this is true).
• Continue to watch for changes in the person’s condition.

Always Always Always

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 CARE
Secondary Assessment
After you have identified and cared for any life-threatening
conditions found in the primary assessment, you must check the
person for other injuries and conditions that may require care.

The secondary assessment consists of three steps:

1. Asking questions
2. Checking the quality of the person’s vital signs
3. Doing an injury check

Always Always Always

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