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Performance
Steps
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Note.
When evaluating and/or treating
a casualty, seek medical aid as soon
as possible. Do not stop treatment, but, if the situation allows, send
another person to find medical aid.
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WARNING
If
there are signs of chemical or
biological agent poisoning,
immediately mask the casualty.
If it is not nerve agent
poisoning, decontaminate exposed skin
and gross contamination (large wet or
oily spots) of the clothing or
overgarments.
If nerve agent poisoning,
administer the antidote before
decontamination.
(See Task 081-831-1044.)
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WARNING
If
a broken neck or back is suspected, do
not move the casualty unless to save
his life
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1. Check for responsiveness.
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a.
Ask in a loud, but calm
voice, "Are you okay?"
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b.
Gently shake or tap the
casualty on the shoulder.
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c.
Watch for a response.
If the casualty does not
respond, go to step 2.
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d.
If the casualty is
conscious, ask where he feels
different than usual or where it
hurts. Go to step 3. If
the casualty is conscious but is
choking and cannot talk, stop the
evaluation and begin treatment.
(See Task 081-831-1003.)
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2. Check for breathing.
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a.
Look for rise and fall of
the casualty’s chest.
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b.
Listen for breathing by
placing your ear about one inch
above the casualty’s mouth and nose.
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c.
Feel for breathing by
placing your hand or cheek about 1
inch above the casualty’s mouth and
nose.
If the casualty is not
breathing, stop the evaluation and
begin treatment.
(See Task 081-831-1042.)
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Note. Check for
pulse during mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation, as necessary.
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3. Check for bleeding.
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WARNING
In
a chemically contaminated area, do not
expose the wound(s)
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a.
Look for spurts of blood
or blood-soaked clothes.
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b.
Look for entry and exit
wounds.
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c.
If bleeding is present,
stop the evaluation and begin
treatment as appropriate.
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(1)
Arm or leg wound.
(See Task 081-831-1032.)
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(2)
Partial or complete
amputation.
(See Task 081-831-1032.)
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(3)
Open head wound.
(See Task 081-831-1033.)
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(4)
Open abdominal wound.
(See Task 081-831-1025.)
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(5)
Open chest wound. (See
Task 081-831-1026.)
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4. Check for shock.
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a.
Look for any of the
following signs and/or symptoms.
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(1)
Sweaty but cool skin
(clammy skin).
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(2)
Paleness of skin.
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(3)
Restlessness or
nervousness.
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(4)
Thirst.
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(5)
Loss of blood
(bleeding).
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(6)
Confusion.
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(7)
Faster than normal
breathing rate.
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(8)
Blotchy or bluish skin,
especially around the mouth.
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(9)
Nausea and/or vomiting.
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b.
If signs or symptoms of
shock are present, stop the
evaluation and begin treatment. (See Task 081-831-1005.)
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WARNING
Leg
fractures must be splinted before
elevating the legs for shock.
(See Task 081-831-1034.)
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5. Check for fractures.
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a.
Look for the following
signs and symptoms of a back or neck
injury:
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(1)
Pain or tenderness of
the neck or back area.
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(2)
Cuts or bruises in the
neck and back area.
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(3)
Inability of the
casualty to move (paralysis or
numbness).
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(a)
Ask about the ability
to move (paralysis).
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(b)
Touch the casualty’s
arms and legs; ask whether he
can feel your hand (numbness).
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(4)
Unusual body or limb
position.
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WARNING
Unless
there is immediate life-threatening
danger, do not move a casualty whom
you suspect has a back or neck injury
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b.
Immobilize any casualty
suspected of having a neck or back
injury by doing the following:
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(1)
Tell the casualty not
to move.
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(2)
If a back injury is
suspected, place padding under the
natural arch of the casualty’s
back.
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(3)
If a neck injury is
suspected, place a roll of cloth
under the casualty’s neck and put
boots (filled with dirt, sand,
etc.) or rocks on both sides of
the head.
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c.
Check the casualty’s arms
and legs for open or closed
fractures.
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(1)
Check for open
fractures.
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(a)
Look for bleeding.
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(b)
Look for bone
sticking through the skin.
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(2)
Check for closed
fractures.
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(a)
Look for swelling.
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(b)
Look for
discoloration.
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(c)
Look for deformity.
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(d)
Look for unusual body
position.
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d.
If a fracture to an arm
or leg is suspected, stop the
evaluation and begin treatment. (See Task 081-831-1034.)
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6. Check for burns.
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a.
Look carefully for
reddened, blistered, or charred
skin.
Also check for singed
clothes.
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b.
If burns are found, stop
the evaluation and begin treatment.
(See Task 081-831-1007.)
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7. Check for head injury.
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a.
Look for the following
signs and symptoms:
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(1)
Unequal pupils.
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(2)
Fluid from the ear(s),
nose, mouth, or injury site.
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(3)
Slurred speech.
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(4)
Confusion.
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(5)
Sleepiness.
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(6)
Loss of memory or
consciousness.
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(7)
Staggering in walking.
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(8)
Headache.
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(9)
Dizziness.
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(10)
Vomiting.
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(11)
Paralysis.
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(12)
Convulsions or twitches
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b.
If a head injury is
suspected, continue to watch for
signs that would require
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (see
Task 081-831-1042), treatment for
shock (see Task 081-831-1005), or
control of bleeding (see Task
081-831-1033).
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8. Seek medical aid.
Seek medical assistance as soon
as possible, but do not interrupt
treatment.
If possible, send another
person to find medical aid.
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