Reference protocol
PRIMARY SURVEY — FLOWCHART
Version May 20, 2022
TYPE OF SITUATION
MEDICAL
TRAUMA
LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS
AALERT
(Alert)
(Alert)
VVERBAL
(Verbal stimuli)
(Verbal stimuli)
PPAIN
(Painful stimuli)
(Painful stimuli)
UUNRESPONSIVE
(Unresponsive)
(Unresponsive)
Leave the victim
in a position of comfort
in a position of comfort
Place the victim in the
recovery position
recovery position
Reassess breathing frequently
APPLY THE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL PROTOCOL
Roll the victim
onto their back
onto their back
Open the airway by
gently tilting the head back (head-tilt chin-lift)
gently tilting the head back (head-tilt chin-lift)
If the victim is breathing
Recovery position
Reassess breathing frequently
APPLY THE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL PROTOCOL
If the victim is not breathing
Perform CPR
C — Chest compressions
A — Airway
B — Breathing
Leave the victim in the position found
while maintaining cervical spine stabilization
while maintaining cervical spine stabilization
TRAUMA PRIMARY SURVEY
Assess the airway, upper and lower
(Manage the airway as needed)
(Manage the airway as needed)
Assess blood loss
(Manage life-threatening bleeding as needed)
(Manage life-threatening bleeding as needed)
Expose affected areas only
(Treat life-threatening affected areas)
(Treat life-threatening affected areas)
APPLY THE APPROPRIATE TRAUMA PROTOCOL
If the victim is breathing
Maintain cervical spine stabilization + jaw-thrust maneuver
Reassess breathing frequently
RETURN TO THE TRAUMA PRIMARY SURVEY
Position found
Keep in the position found while maintaining cervical spine stabilization
Open the airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver