How to Conduct a Head-to-Toe Exam During First Aid

A thorough head-to-toe exam of an injured person will enable a rescuer to assess injuries that are not immediately apparent. Carry out this exam only after life-threatening injuries have been taken care of.

Things You'll Need

• Sunglasses
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• First Aid Kits
• Latex Gloves
• Watches With Second Hands
• First Aid Classes
• Notebooks
• Pens
• Safety Goggles
• Surgical Masks

Instructions

Head

1. Look at and feel the injured person's head and face, and note any abrasions, bruising, fluids in the nose or ears, depressions of the skull, or damage to the eyes. (See "How to Conduct a Secondary Survey of the Head During First Aid.")

Neck, Torso and Pelvis

1. Look at and feel the neck for any tenderness, bruising or deformity. (See "How to Conduct a Secondary Survey of the Neck, Spine and Back During First Aid.")

2. Look at and feel the shoulders, collarbone, chest and abdomen. Note any asymmetries, tenderness or bruising. (See "How to Conduct a Secondary Survey of the Chest and Abdomen During First Aid.")

3. Slide your hand carefully under the injured person, and feel along the back and spine for any tenderness, pain, bleeding or irregularities. (See "How to Conduct a Secondary Survey of the Neck, Spine and Back During First Aid.")

4. Press on both of the protruding bones in the pelvis and see if there is any pain or deformity.

Arms, Legs and Feet

1. Look and feel along the injured person's arms and legs for any bruising or deformity.

2. Check the pulse in both wrists and at the top of each foot, and see if the pulse is the same in each place.

3. Scratch both hands and feet and ask the injured person if he or she can feel the sensation.

4. Ask the injured person to move his or her arms, legs, fingers and toes, and check for a full range of motion.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you are able to see the skin when examining the injured person, especially when checking the torso and limbs. Ask the injured person if you may look under or remove clothing, and do so in the presence of another person. If the exam is being conducted in a public setting, make every effort to shield the injured person from the sight of others when examining underneath clothing.

• Be careful not to jostle the patient while carrying out the exam, and avoid moving joints or limbs that are resistant. Movement may cause further injury.

• An injured person may be distracted by one injury and oblivious to other, more life-threatening injuries. Be careful to complete a thorough head-to-toe exam, and make sure that you're not distracted by the injured person's preoccupation.

• If you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.