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

Video Transcript

"You know one of the first things that needs to be completed during any first aid process, is the Head to Toe Survey. Hi, I'm Captain Joe Bruni, and what we're going to discuss, is how to complete the Head to Toe Survey, during the first aid procedure or process. The Head to Toe Survey, would be first, maintaining cervical spine control, or neck control of the head, and evaluating the head first. We would feel along the sides of the head, and the back of the head, to determine if we have any type of skull depression, bleeding. Looking at the ears and the eyes, and the mouth and nose, to determine if there's been any injury to the head. We would then move down to the neck, feeling the back of the neck, for any deformity. Moving on to the shoulders, the rib cage, the chest area. Feeling down along those areas for any asymmetry, or deformities in those areas. Sliding a hand under the back of the person, or back side of the person. Feeling for any fluids or blood loss, or any deformities, once again. Moving on down to the legs. Checking the legs for any deformities, feeling both front and back, for any injuries, blood, or fluid loss. The same for the arms. Checking both front and back, looking for asymmetry, or any type of injuries. We would then check for pulses, in both wrists, to determine if we have pulses there, and then we would move on to the tops of each foot.Feeling the pedal pulses on the tops of each foot, to see if we have good circulation, to all extremities. Conducting the Head to Toe Survey, is a good procedure to follow, for any first aid situation. I'm Captain Joe Bruni. Stay safe, and we'll see you next time."