What is the initial step in the trauma scene size-up?

• A. Identify hazards
• B. Record time of day
• C. Interview the patient
• D. Check blood sugar

Answer: (A)

The first thing you do in a trauma scene size-up is identify hazards to ensure scene safety. This quick scan protects you, your crew, bystanders, and the patient by revealing dangers like moving traffic, fire or explosions, downed power lines, hazardous materials, unstable structures, weapons, or aggressive people. Once you spot hazards, you can take protective actions—don PPE, establish a safe approach path, create a danger zone, and, if needed, call for extra resources or wait for responders with the right equipment. Only after the scene is deemed safe do you move on to assess the patient and begin treatment.

Recording the time of day is a documentation step, not part of the safety-focused scene size-up. Interviewing the patient is done after you’ve ensured the scene is safe, and checking blood sugar is relevant to medical emergencies but not the initial task of size-up in a trauma scene.