Quick Answer
In a wilderness patient assessment, taught in a WFR course, the first step is to ensure scene safety, followed by a primary assessment, and then a secondary assessment to identify injuries or illnesses, using the SAMPLE and AVPU techniques.
Primary Assessment
The primary assessment in a wilderness patient assessment involves checking the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). This is typically done using the ABCD method, where you check the patient’s ABCs and also determine their level of consciousness, using the AVPU scale: A - Alert, V - Verbal response, P - Pain response, U - Unresponsive. The primary assessment is usually completed within 30 seconds to 1 minute. The WFR will also check the patient’s body position and mobility.
SAMPLE and Secondary Assessment
After completing the primary assessment, the WFR will use the SAMPLE history to gather more information about the patient’s condition. SAMPLE is an acronym that stands for: S - Symptoms, A - Allergies, M - Medications, P - Past medical history, L - Last meal or drink, E - Events leading up to the incident. The WFR will then perform a secondary assessment to identify specific injuries or illnesses, using techniques such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for assessing level of consciousness, and the Modified Field Assessment Tool (MFAT) for identifying injuries and illnesses in the wilderness setting. The secondary assessment may involve checking for vital signs, such as pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
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