Written Lifeguarding Practice Test

Which of the following should you do first when approaching the scene of an emergency?

1. Complete a primary assessment

2. Obtain the victim's consent to provide care

3. Size-up the scene while forming an initial impression

4. Summon EMS personnel

The correct answer is: Complete a primary assessment

When approaching the scene of an emergency, the first thing you should do is to complete a primary assessment. This means checking for any immediate dangers to yourself or the victim and ensuring that the area is safe to approach. It is important to make sure you are not putting yourself in harm's way before providing care to the victim. Option B is incorrect because obtaining the victim's consent to provide care should come after completing the primary assessment. Option C is incorrect because size-up the scene and forming an initial impression should be done simultaneously with completing the primary assessment, but it is not the first step. Option D is incorrect because summoning EMS personnel may be necessary, but it should only be done after completing the primary assessment and providing care to the victim.