“LECTURE 1 — SCENE SIZE-UP 8 slides Learning goal: Evaluate scene safety, determine what happened, estimate patient count, and identify needed resources before patient contact. Slide 1 — What Is Scene Size-Up? • Begins before patient contact and starts with dispatch information. • Continues while approaching and throughout the call. • Purpose: identify hazards, understand the situation, and prepare for patient care. • Key idea: Look before you act. Slide 2 — Scene Safety • Assess traffic, fire/smoke, electricity, hazardous materials, violence/weapons, unstable structures, water, animals, and environmental hazards. • EMS providers should not become additional patients. Slide 3 — Standard Precautions and PPE • Gloves, eye protection, masks/respiratory protection, gowns or protective clothing when appropriate. • Select PPE based on likely exposure and scene conditions. Slide 4 — MOI vs. NOI • MOI: how an injury occurred (MVC, fall, assault, penetrating trauma, burns). • NOI: what medical problem appears to be occurring (chest pain, dyspnea, seizure, altered mental status, abdominal pain). • Use scene clues rather than relying only on dispatch information. Slide 5 — Number of Patients • Determine whether there is one patient, multiple patients, or more patients than current resources can manage. • Consider additional ambulances, fire resources, ALS, law enforcement, rescue resources, or MCI/triage procedures. Slide 6 — General Impression Starts Here • Observe position, movement, skin appearance, work of breathing, obvious bleeding, surroundings, interaction, apparent age, and distress level. • Prompt: What does this patient look like from the doorway? Slide 7 — Engagement: Would You Enter? • Scenario: MVC into a utility pole; a patient is yelling from inside; a power line is lying across the hood. • Ask: Is the scene safe? What hazards are present? Should you approach? What resources are needed? Slide 8 — Engagement: Build the Size-Up • Dispatch: 56-year-old male fell from a ladder; awake but unable to stand. • Students identify safety concerns, PPE, MOI, number of patients, possible resources, and what they want to observe on arrival.”