Introduction

The Primary Survey is an important part of the initial assessment of the unwell patient. It was developed for use in the context of major trauma, however the principles of the primary survey teach us to address issues in the order of what is most immediately life threatening, starting from airway, then breathing, then circulation etc. It literally is as easy as your ABCs!

Once the patient has been stabilised from a primary survey, we can then move on to secondary and tertiary surveys to make sure we haven’t missed anything. A broken pinky is definitely a problem, but it might be the least of their problems.

• It requires 30 minutes preparation.

• It can be taught in 60mins - 1.5 hour

Preparation materials: Learning curriculum

Teaching approach

As with all modules, familiarise yourself with the NPMT principles.

The session’s learning objectives include:

1. Recognise the deteriorating patient

2. Demonstrate a structured approach to the deteriorating patient

3. Perform basic airway skills including jaw thrust, insertion of oropharyngeal airway, bag-mask

• ventilation and insertion of supra-glottic airway

Download resources:

• Curriculum pack

Other Resources

• Life in the fast line: Initial Trauma Assessment • LITFL