Dive Leader Knowledge: DT4- Casualty Assessment

For evidence, in case you are sued

To comply with Health and Safety regulations

To provide information to the personnel at the medical facility receiving the casualty

To submit to BSAC along with the Incident Report

All of the above

Dive details

Initial condition

Changes to initial condition

First aid treatment given

Casualty name

Just ask the casualty

Run your hands over the casualty's body, and ask where they can and cannot feel it

Prick the casualty's body with a sterile pin and note if they flinch

Prick the casualty's body with a sterile pin, and ask where they can feel it

Take hold of each limb in turn, and ask the casualty to pull then push

Take hold of each limb in turn, and ask the casualty to push then pull

Take hold of each limb in turn, and see if the casualty can break your grip

Take hold of both hands and ask the casualty to pull then push. Repeat for the feet. Note any differences between right and left sides.

Any of the above methods will do

Monitor whether the casualty's eyes can track your finger smoothly as you move it around in their field of vision

See if the casualty can bring their index finger from arm's length to touch their nose, with their eyes closed

Get the casualty to alternately touch your finger and their own nose with one hand, while your finger is moving around their field of vision

Hold up a number of fingers and get the casualty to tell you how many

Hold your clenched fist against the casualty's, and see if they are able to pull their arm back before you can rap them lightly on the knuckles