EMT Initial Assessment: Step-by-Step Primary and Secondary Survey

Primary Assessment

• Airway with C-spine Control: Check obstruction, maintain cervical stabilization.
• Breathing: Assess rate, effort, chest rise, breath sounds.
• Circulation: Pulse rate/quality, skin color/temperature, bleeding signs.

Secondary Assessment

• Head & Face: Trauma, deformities, head injury signs.
• Neck: Tenderness, deformity, range of motion.
• Thorax & Lungs: Tenderness, breath sounds, chest expansion.
• Abdomen & Pelvis: Tenderness, distension, abdominal injury signs.
• Extremities: Deformities, tenderness, swelling, circulation, sensation.

Neurological Assessment

• Level of consciousness, pupillary response, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).

Vital Signs

• Pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation.

Complete Physical Exam

• Thorough head-to-toe for other injuries/abnormalities.