Defense Institute For

Medical Operations (DIMO)

Scene Assessment/Safety

Website: www.dimo.af.mil
http://www.facebook.com/dimo.ops

Objectives
Define scene assessment
Recognize hazards and potential hazards
Describe common hazards
Determine scene safety
Identify number of patients/resources

Definition

Assessment of scene and surroundings to

assure safety of medical personnel and
provide patient information

Scene Assessment
Begins at notification of emergency
Priorities the rescuers come first

Scene components

Hazards
Body substance isolation
Mechanics of injury
Nature of injury
Number of patients
Additional resources needed

Potential obstacles
Time of day
Traffic
Construction
Building damage

SCENE SAFETY
Personal protection is it safe to approach the
patient?
Look and listen for other emergency vehicles
Look for downed power lines or other potential
hazards
Position ambulance to provide protection from traffic
Prior to entering scene, watch for fire and/or smoke
Scrutinize the scene for signs involving hazardous
materials
Involve police and fire department, environmental/
chemical response personnel as necessary

Scene Safety
Downed power lines

Scene Safety
Use Ambulance or other vehicle to
block traffic

Scene Safety
Be aware
Pets will be protective of owner

Scene Safety

Vehicle fires

Scene Safety

Hazardous Materials

SCENE SAFETY
Establish a danger zone
Hazard Present

Safety Zone

NO APPARENT
HAZARDS

50 FT IN ALL DIRECTIONS

SPILLED FUEL

100 FT IN ALL DIRECTIONS

VEHICLE FIRE

PARK ONE FULL SPAN OF

DOWNED WIRES
HAZ MAT SPILL

100 FT IN ALL DIRECTIONS

POLES AWAY
Solicit inputs from local experts

Crime Scenes
Active
Ensure safety of all crew members first. Wait
for police to secure the scene before
approaching patient.

Inactive (Secured)
Minimize EMS disturbance of crime scene as
much as possible. Do not disturb the chain of
evidence

Resources
What resources are needed?
Considerations
Number of patients
Fire Department availability/on scene
Police availability/on scene
Medical personnel on scene
Enough to handle number of patients

Scene Assessment Process

Scene assessment is a continuous
process
Scene assessment is a dynamic process
Factors can and will change
Must constantly be aware of surroundings
Must be able to adapt to changes

Summary
Defined scene assessment
Recognized hazards and potential hazards
Described common hazards
Determined scene safety
Identified number of patients/resources

Scene Size Up

Questions?

Website: www.dimo.af.mil
http://www.facebook.com/dimo.ops