Primary Survey 5: CIRCULATION
Primary Survey 5: CIRCULATION:
The current protocols refer to this as checking for 'signs of life'. A sign of life is normal body temperature, normal skin colour, breathing sounds and motion - if any of these are present it is a good sign the casualty still has a heart beat. There is no need to check the casualty for a pulse - indeed, finding a pulse is often difficult and too time consuming.
In the current protocols you will have already started CPR before checking for signs of life - see 'Basic Adult Life Support' and 'Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)' lessons.
The current protocols refer to this as checking for 'signs of life'. A sign of life is normal body temperature, normal skin colour, breathing sounds and motion - if any of these are present it is a good sign the casualty still has a heart beat. There is no need to check the casualty for a pulse - indeed, finding a pulse is often difficult and too time consuming.
In the current protocols you will have already started CPR before checking for signs of life - see 'Basic Adult Life Support' and 'Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)' lessons.
