1. Canadian Red Cross Chpt 4
Check, Call, Care
Canadian Red Cross
Chpt 4

2. Check Environment Is it safe for me to enter?
Check for “fire, wire, gas, glass”
How did it happen?
How many ill or injured people are there?
Is there someone to help me?
Is anyone unconscious?

3. ABC’s Airway Breathing Circulation
Check person
ABC’s
Airway
Breathing
Circulation

4. Check person Does the person respond? Ask “Are you okay?”
If no response, tap their shoulder
Does the person want your help?

5. Checking the ABC’s should take no more than 5-10 seconds Check Airway
Check Breathing
Check Circulation

6. EMS – Emergency Medical Service AED – Automated External Defibrillator
Call EMS and get an AED
EMS – Emergency Medical Service
AED – Automated External Defibrillator

7. Care for all life-threatening conditions first

8. Shock
Shock is a potentially life-threatening condition in which vital organs do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood
Shock can be caused injury, illness, infection or emotion
Treat everybody for shock

9. Secondary Survey Only do SS if ABC’s are present Ask SAMPLE questions
Check the quality of the vital signs
Do a Head-To-Toe check
Always complete the SS before treating
any non-life threatening injuries

10. SAMPLE Questions S – Signs and Symptoms (what you See) A – Allergies
M – Medications
P – Past Medical History
L – Last Meal
E – Events leading up to the injury or illness

11. Level of consciousness (LOC) Skin colour Breathing (rate, type)
Vital Signs
Level of consciousness (LOC)
Skin colour
Breathing (rate, type)

12. Hands-off Check Person is conscious and able to respond
If able, and it does not cause pain, ask them to systematically move various parts of the body
Note where pain or lack of fuction is occuring
You may guide them verbally through this process

13. Hands-on Check Person is unconscious and unable to respond
Do NOT move parts of body if you suspect spinal cord or head injury!
Gently touch each part of the body, noting any bleeding, swelling, abnormal spots
Begin at head and move down to the feet

14. Continual Care Continue to monitor for ABC’s
Continue to treat for shock
Reassure the person and keep them comfortable
Continue to assess vital signs

21. Check, Call, Care
Canadian Red Cross