1.3 Assess the casualty

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE LEGALITY OF CONSENT

Before you start treating a casualty, you should ask for and receive the casualty’s consent to your treatment. If the casualty is unconscious or is unable to give consent due to their injuries, you can assume consent and start treatment.

If the casualty is under the age of 18 years old, then you should seek consent from a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian is not present, you can start treatment.

A first aid provider should not commence the treatment if an adult, who seems of sound mind and able to make a decision, refuses your offer of treatment.

A first aider only has the casualty’s consent to treat them for a condition that affects their immediate health. You should not provide help for any ailment that goes beyond your knowledge of first aid.

From here, you should conduct a head-to-toe assessment of the patient, looking for any obvious signs or symptoms such as:

• Bleeding, vomiting or other bodily fluids.
• Swelling or deformity of the limbs.
• Pain.
• Visible clues such as seizures, spasms, or shivering.
• Skin colour (e.g. do they appear pale?). 
• Medical alert bracelets or necklaces. 
• If this is a result of an accident (e.g. car accident, fall or sporting injury), assess the scene, which can provide clues. 

Do NOT move the patient at this stage, unless they are in immediate danger and it’s safe for you to do so.