Red Cross Lifeguard Practice Test

When providing care during an emergency, what is the first step you should do?

1. Size-up the scene while forming an initial impression.

2. Check for responsiveness.

3. Perform a primary assessment.

4. Summon more advanced medical personnel.

The correct answer is: Size-up the scene while forming an initial impression.

The first step in providing care during an emergency is to size-up the scene while forming an initial impression. This step is crucial because it ensures your safety and the safety of others before you engage in providing care. By assessing the situation, you can identify potential hazards, such as traffic, fire, or other dangers that could put you or the victim at risk. Additionally, this initial assessment helps determine whether the scene is safe for you to approach, allowing you to gather information about what happened, the number of victims, and the nature of their injuries. Understanding the environment and current circumstances sets the stage for effective response. It allows you to make informed decisions about how to proceed, including whether you need to call for additional help or take necessary precautions for a safe intervention. Once the scene is deemed safe and you have gathered pertinent information, you can then move on to checking for responsiveness and performing a primary assessment.