First, you should assess the scene for danger. You cannot help anyone if you are injured.

Make the area safe

Ensure it's safe to treat the casualties at the site. For example, at the site of a road accident you need to stop the flow of traffic.

Assess the situation

• Look out for any continuing danger, to yourself and others
• Make a first assessment of the casualties - is anybody in immediate danger?
• Is there anybody to help you?
• Do you need to call the emergency services?

A quiet casualty may be an indication that the person is unconscious. Quiet casualties should always be your first priority.

A casualty who is bleeding heavily or is obviously in pain is upsetting, but a quiet casualty could be in the most serious condition and you should always attend to them first.

Actions

Check casualties using this list:

• Response: is the casualty conscious?
• Airway: can the casualty breathe normally?
• Breathing: is the casualty breathing normally?

Further actions
Ask others to help you to:

• Make the area safe
• Call for help
• Maintain dignity of casualties, for example by screening them from view
• Administer general help in supporting limbs, offering reassurance and so on