In cases of trauma, what is the first step responders should take?

In cases of trauma, the primary focus for responders is to ensure the patient's immediate survival, and controlling any bleeding is critical in achieving that goal. Severe bleeding can lead to hemorrhagic shock, a life-threatening condition, so addressing this urgently is imperative. By controlling the bleeding first, responders can stabilize the patient and prevent further complications that may arise from blood loss, allowing time for subsequent assessments and treatments to take place effectively.

While checking the respiratory rate, performing full-body assessments, and transferring the patient are all important components of trauma care, they should come after any immediate life threats, such as uncontrolled bleeding, have been addressed. Therefore, prioritizing the control of bleeding ensures that the responder is responding to the most critical needs of the trauma patient in a timely manner.