After the hazard is secured and the victim is moved to safety, what is the next step?

After the hazard is secured and the victim is moved to safety, what is the next step?

• A. Determine if the victim is breathing.
• B. Check for burns.
• C. Check for a pulse.
• D. Call for help.

Answer: (A)

After hazards are secured and the victim is moved to safety, the immediate concern is to quickly determine if they are breathing. This tells you whether life-saving actions are needed right away. You can spot normal breathing by watching for chest rise, listening for breath, and feeling for air for about 10 seconds. If breathing is present, you continue to monitor and maintain the airway and breathing while seeking help as needed. If there’s no normal breathing (or only gasping), you must call for emergency assistance and start CPR right away. Checking for burns is important, but it doesn’t tell you what to do next in terms of airway and breathing, and checking a pulse can be unreliable or time-consuming in an unresponsive person; breathing status is the quickest, most decisive clue for the next step.

After hazards are secured and the victim is moved to safety, the immediate concern is to quickly determine if they are breathing. This tells you whether life-saving actions are needed right away. You can spot normal breathing by watching for chest rise, listening for breath, and feeling for air for about 10 seconds. If breathing is present, you continue to monitor and maintain the airway and breathing while seeking help as needed. If there’s no normal breathing (or only gasping), you must call for emergency assistance and start CPR right away. Checking for burns is important, but it doesn’t tell you what to do next in terms of airway and breathing, and checking a pulse can be unreliable or time-consuming in an unresponsive person; breathing status is the quickest, most decisive clue for the next step.