Title: Initial assessment
Course: Level 3 - First Aid > Section: Assessment and identification of emergency conditions

After a through observation of the situation and the surroundings, the first aider can proceed to initial assessment comprising General impression, assessment of responsiveness, and assessment of the airway, breathing and circulation (A, B and C).

a. General impression - this is performed based on the First Responder's immediate assessment of the environment and the patient's chief complaint.

Fig.1. General assessment

b. Assessment of responsiveness by checking if the casualty is Alert, responding to Verbal stimuli, responding to pain stimuli or Unresponsive.

The Level of Responsiveness and Consciousness Can Be Expressed as:

- Full consciousness - able to speak & answer questions normally.
- Drowsiness- Easley aroused (awoken) but lapses into unconsciousness.
- Stupor - Can be aroused with difficulty and is aware of painful stimuli. I.e. pin prick
- Coma - Cannot be aroused by any stimuli.

Fig. 2. First aider assess the responsiveness of the casualty.

c. Assessment of the airway (open the air way, inspect the air way, clear the air way as needed, breathing and circulation)

Fig. 3. Airway assessment: open airway by performing head-tilt /chin lift manoeuvre.

Fig. 4. Open airway; perform jaw thrust.

d. Assessment of breathing

- Look at the effort of breathing.
- Look, listen, and feel for the presence of ventilation.
- Ventilate as needed.

Fig. 5: Assess breathing; look, listen, feel

e. Assess the patient's circulation

- Assess pulse, assess for bleeding and assess skin.

Fig. 6. Checking for radial pulse

Fig. 7. Check for a carotid pulse.

Fig. 8: Checking brachial pulse.