The Secondary Survey - OK4UK Academy

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In this topic you will learn:

When to carry out the secondary survey, what it involves, and how to gather key information and monitor the casualty.

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When do you carry out a secondary survey?

After the primary survey (DRABC), once the casualty is breathing normally and there are no immediate life-threatening dangers.

Secondary Survey – Step by Step

The secondary survey helps you identify injuries or illness and decide what support is needed while waiting for help.

1. Reassure and explain
Tell the casualty what you are doing and keep them calm.

2. Check for injuries
Look for visible injuries, swelling, deformity, or signs of bleeding.

3. Ask what happened
Find out the cause (fall, illness, exposure, accident).

4. Gather key medical information
Use SAMPLE to remember what to ask.

5. Treat what you find
Provide appropriate first aid within your training.

6. Monitor and record
Keep checking the casualty and record changes in condition.

SAMPLE – What to Ask

SSigns & symptoms

AAllergies

MMedication

PPast medical history

LLast meal / drink

EEvents leading up to it

SAMPLE Checklist – Casualty History

Use SAMPLE to gather important information during the secondary survey.
Tick each item as you ask the question.

S – Signs & Symptoms
What does the casualty feel? What can you see?

A – Allergies
Does the casualty have any known allergies?

M – Medication
Is the casualty taking any medication?

P – Past Medical History
Has the casualty had previous illnesses or conditions?

L – Last Food or Drink
When did the casualty last eat or drink?

E – Events Leading Up
What happened before the incident?

Good practice:

If emergency services attend, pass this information to them clearly and calmly.

Workplace example

A colleague feels unwell and sits on the floor. After confirming the area is safe and they are breathing normally,
the first aider checks for injuries, asks what happened, gathers key information (e.g. allergies and medication),
provides appropriate first aid, and monitors their condition until help arrives.

Reflection:

What information would you want to collect from a casualty to help emergency services when they arrive?

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Assessment takeaway

The secondary survey takes place after DRABC and focuses on identifying injuries, gathering relevant information,
giving appropriate first aid, and monitoring the casualty until help arrives.