Richland CERT

Richland CERT
Serving our community with pride.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Head to toe examination!

This is a basic examination of a victim that is performed on every victim with their permission of course that begins at the top of victims head and ends at the victims toes. Thus;"head to toe" examination.
What you need to be looking for:
  • any deformities of the skull or soft areas
  • fluid coming from ears, noise, eyes
  • Are they breathing? How are they breathing?
  • If victim is awake ask questions to establish LOC.
  • Check neck region for vein distention or gorging
  • Check shoulder region. Compare one side to the other; is there any noticeable differences.
  • Press down on shoulder blades slightly to check for dislocation
  • Always be aware of any bleeding or change in skin color or tone as you are progressing down the body in your examination.
  • Check the chest area for fractured ribs, soreness or tenderness, How is the victims chest rising and falling during breathing?
  • This a good point to remind everyone that you should be using all your sense in this examination. Your eyes, ears, smell,your touch
  • Continue down to the abdomen area or stomach for some. 
  • Here we are also looking for swelling, soreness, tenderness
  • Now Turn victim to you in log roll to exam the back
  • Turn victim back over and continue down to pelvic area
  • Press down slightly on both sides of pelvis to determine for fractures or dislocations.
  • Exam upper leg both sides; any differences, any bleeding, deformities, obvious fractures.
  • Lower legs; any broken bones, bleeding, color of skin, check pedal pulse, cap refill
  • Check ankles and feet for obvious fractures, skin color, check toes for cap refill.
  • The reason for constantly saying to check skin color and tone and cap refill is these are good indicators  of how victim is doing overall and as good check for shock symptoms

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