HOW TO DO THE
PRIMARY &
SECONDARY
SURVEY
What is Primary Survey?
PRIMARY ASSESSMENT Danger
OR SURVEY is the initial
survey done Response
whenever there is a Airway
casualty. Remember
Breathing
DR ABC:
Circulation
DANGER
Before
approaching the
casualty, check
the surroundings to
ensure safety.
RESPONSE
Check if the casualty is responsive or
unresponsive. As you approach
them, introduce yourself and ask
questions to see if they will respond.
Kneelnext to their chest and gently
shake their shoulders, asking, “What
has happened? Open your eyes!”
RESPONSE
If the casualty opens their eyes, or gives
another gesture, they are responsive.
If there is no response, pinch the earlobe
(painful stimuli)
AVPU Scale:
Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive
If they do not respond to you in any way,
they are unresponsive and should be
treated as quickly as possible.
AIRWAY
Tiltthe head of the victim to open
the airway by putting one hand on
the forehead, and two fingers
under the chin. Remove the
objects (if there are) that block the
airway.
If they are unresponsive, you need
to move on to breathing as quickly
as possible.
BREATHING
Look, listen and feel if the patient
is breathing normally. Place your
ear near the mouth of the victim
and look at the rising and falling
of the chest. Do this for 10
seconds.
BREATHING
Ifthey are unresponsive and not
breathing, you need to call for
emergency help and start CPR
straight away. Ask a helper to find
and bring a defibrillator (AED).
CPR
Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation
Execute 30
compressions & 2
rescue breaths at a rate
of 100-120 per minute or
about 2 per second
CPR
Adult– position your dominant hand
on the sternum of the adult. The
sternum is the area of the chest in
between the breasts. Put the other
hand on top and interlock the
fingers on the dominant hand.
Straighten your arms.
CPR
Child – Position the
heel of the dominant
hand on the sternum
of the child.
Straighten your arms.
CPR
Infant – Lay flat half of
your index and middle
finger on the chest of
the infant.
DEFIBRILLATOR
Defibrillators
are devices that
restore a normal heartbeat by
sending an electric pulse or
shock to the heart.
CIRCULATION
Check the pulse by placing 2 fingers on
the veins in the wrist or neck for less serious
patients. Also, check for severe bleeding.
If they are bleeding severely you will need
to control and treat the bleeding by
applying direct pressure to the wound. Call
for emergency help.
If they are unresponsive and breathing but
with no bleeding, put them in the recovery
position and call for emergency help.
RECOVERY POSITION
If a person is unconscious but is Please watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch
breathing and has no other life- ?v=GmqXqwSV3bo
threatening conditions, they should be
placed in the recovery position.
Putting someone in the recovery
position will keep their airway clear
and open. It also ensures that any
vomit or fluid won't cause them to
choke.
What is Secondary Survey?
SECONDARY ASSESSMENT OR SURVEY
is done once primary assessment has
been completed. The aim is to find
out more of the casualty’s history,
signs and symptoms.
If
possible, take note of their
answers.
HISTORY
Check for the victim’s S-A-M-P-L-E:
Signs and Symptoms (felt by the victim)
Allergies (that the victim has)
Medications (that the victim is currently taking)
Previous medical history (that the victim had)
Last oral intake (last meal and what are the food/beverages taken)
Events that led to the situation
VITAL SIGNS
Check for:
Level of responsiveness
Pulse
Skin Condition
Respiration
HEAD-TO-TOE
Check the: Inspect for:
Head and Neck Deformity of fractures
Shoulders and Chest Open wounds
Abdomen and Pelvis Tender areas
Legs and Arms Swollen areas
Back
After doing the primary and
secondary survey:
Stay with the victim
until the physician
arrives. Inform the
physician of the
procedures done.
References:
St. John Ambulance (2020). How to Do the Primary Survey (DR ABC). Retrieved October
26, 2020 from https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/how-to/how-to-do-the-
primary-
survey/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20primary%20survey,%2C%20Airway%2C%20Breathing
%20and%20Circulation.
Paradise First Aid. (2019). Primary and Secondary Survey – A How To. Retrieved June 25,
2020 from https://www.paradisefirstaid.com.au/primary-and-secondary-survey/
Sumera, P. et. al. (2016). Living with Music. Art. PE, and Health (MAPEH). Quezon City: Vibal
Group, Incorporated.
NOTE: Photos used are not mine
