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NOTE: When evaluating and/or treating a casualty, you should seek medical aid as soon as possible. Do not stop treatment, but if the situation allows, send another person to find medical aid.
NOTE: If there are any signs of chemical or biological agent poisoning, immediately mask the casualty. If it is not nerve agent poisoning, decontaminate exposed skin and gross contamination (large wet or oily spots) of the clothing or overgarments. If it is nerve agent poisoning, administer the antidote before decontamination. (See the task Administer First Aid To A Nerve Agent Casualty [Buddy-Aid], task number 081-831-1031.) WARNING IF A BROKEN NECK OR BACK IS SUSPECTED, DO NOT MOVE THE CASUALTY UNLESS TO SAVE HIS OR HER LIFE.
1. Check for responsiveness.
a. Ask in a loud, but calm voice, "Are you okay?"
b. Gently shake or tap the casualty on the shoulder.
c. Watch for a response. If the casualty does not respond, go to step 2.
d. If the casualty is conscious, ask where he or she feels different than usual or where it hurts. Go to step 3.
NOTE: If the casualty is conscious but is choking and cannot talk, stop the evaluation and begin treatment. (See the task Clear An Object From The Throat Of A Conscious Casualty, task number 081-831-1003.)
2. Check for breathing.
a. Breathing is checked using the following methods.
(1) Look for a rise and fall of the casualty's chest.
(2) Listen for breathing by placing your ear about 1 inch above the casualty's mouth and nose.
(3) Feel for breathing by placing your hand or cheek about 1 inch above the casualty's mouth and nose.
b. If the casualty is not breathing, stop the evaluation and begin treatment. (See the task Perform Mouth-To-Mouth Resuscitation, task number 081-831-1042.)
3. Check for bleeding.
| WARNING |
| IN A CHEMICALLY CONTAMINATED AREA, DO NOT EXPOSE THE WOUND (S). |
a. Look for spurts of blood or blood-soaked clothes.
b. Look for entry and exit wounds.
c. If bleeding is present, stop the evaluation and begin treatment in accordance with the following tasks, as appropriate.
(1) Arm or leg wound: Put On A Field Or Pressure Dressing, task number 081-831-1016.
(2) Partial or complete amputation: Put On A Tourniquet, task number 081-831-1017.
(3) Open head wound: Apply A Dressing To An Open Head Wound, task number 081-831-1033.
(4) Open abdominal wound: Apply A Dressing To An Open Abdominal Wound, task number 081-831-1025.
(5) Open chest wound: Apply A Dressing To An Open Chest Wound, task number 081-831-1026.
4. Check for shock.
a. Look for any of the following signs and/or symptoms.
(1) Sweaty but cool skin (clammy skin).
(2) Paleness of the skin.
(3) Restlessness or nervousness.
(4) Thirst.
(5) Loss of blood (bleeding).
(6) Confusion.
(7) Faster than normal breathing rate.
(8) Blotchy or bluish skin, especially around the mouth.
(9) Nausea and/or vomiting.
b. If signs or symptoms of shock are present, stop the evaluation and begin treatment. (See the task Prevent Shock, task number 081-831-1005.)
5. Check for fractures.
a. Look for the following signs and/or symptoms of a back or neck injury.
(1) Pain or tenderness of the neck or back area.
(2) Cuts or bruises in the neck or back area.
(3) Inability of a casualty to move (paralysis or numbness).
(a) Ask about the ability to move (paralysis).
(b) Touch the casualty's arms and legs and ask whether he or she can feel your hand (numbness).
(4) Unusual body or limb position.
| WARNING |
| UNLESS THERE IS IMMEDIATE LIFE-THREATENING DANGER, DO NOT MOVE A CASUALTY WHO HAS A SUSPECTED BACK OR NECK INJURY. |
b. Immobilize any casualty suspected of having a neck or back injury by doing the following:
(1) Tell the casualty not to move.
(2) If a back injury is suspected, place padding under the natural arch of the casualty's back.
(3) If a neck injury is suspected, place a roll of cloth under the casualty's neck and put boots (filled with dirt, sand, etc.) or rocks on both sides of the head.
c. Check the casualty's arms and legs for open or closed fractures.
(1) Check for open fractures. Look for bleeding or bone sticking through the skin.
(2) Check for closed fractures. Look for swelling, discoloration, deformity, or unusual body position.
d. If a fracture to an arm or leg is suspected, stop the evaluation and begin treatment. (See the task Splint A Suspected Fracture, task number 081-831-1034.)
6. Check for burns.
a. Look carefully for reddened, blistered, or charred skin. Also check for singed clothes.
b. If burns are found, stop the evaluation and begin treatment. (See the task Give First Aid For Burns, task number 081-831-1007.)
7. Check for head injury.
a. Look for the following signs and symptoms.
(1) Unequal pupils.
(2) Fluid from the ear(s), nose, mouth, or injury site.
(3) Slurred speech.
(4) Confusion.
(5) Sleepiness.
(6) Loss of memory or consciousness.
(7) Staggering in walking.
(8) Headache.
(9) Dizziness.
(10) Vomiting.
(11) Paralysis.
(12) Convulsions or twitches.
b. If a head injury is suspected, continue to watch for signs which would require performance of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, treatment for shock, or control of bleeding.
8. Seek medical aid.
FM
4-25.11 First Aid