Emergency Medical Technician how-to
How to Perform a Primary Assessment on a Trauma Patient
The primary assessment finds and fixes immediate life threats. Follow your local protocols.
The primary assessment finds and fixes immediate life threats. Follow your local protocols. In short: ensure; form; control, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Ensure scene safety and put on PPE; note the mechanism of injury and call for additional resources if needed.
Form a general impression and check responsiveness (AVPU: alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive).
Control major external bleeding immediately with direct pressure or a tourniquet.
Open and assess the airway, using a jaw-thrust if spinal injury is suspected.
Assess breathing rate and quality; provide oxygen or BVM ventilations as indicated.
Assess circulation: pulse, skin color, temperature and condition, and signs of shock.
Decide on transport priority, then move to a rapid trauma assessment and vital signs.
Safety reminders for emergency medical technicians
- Always size up the scene and wait for law enforcement when a scene isn’t safe
- Wear gloves and eye protection for every patient contact
- Use proper lifting technique and lift with your partner
- Drive the ambulance with due regard for others: emergency status doesn’t remove responsibility
Key terms
NREMT · Scene size-up · Primary assessment · SAMPLE history · OPQRST · AED: see the full emergency medical technician glossary.