What are you legally required to do before you touch a person when responding to an emergency

It can be difficult to think clearly in the midst of an emergency. Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C’s to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P’s to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery.  

The Three C’s of Emergency 

1. Check

Check means checking for anything unsafe. If the emergency is surrounded by danger, assistance may be needed. Rushing into a scene without taking in present dangers may lead to more harm for yourself or others. For example, if there a car wreck happens in a high traffic area or there is someone in need of help in a fire, you will need to seek assistance. Check the scene before entering it. Take the evolution of the scene. Next check if the victim is breathing. You may need to give specific care such as CPR. 

2. Call

In emergency situations, it’s important to call 911 immediately. As a first responder, act right away to get help from professionals. Inspect the scene, gather needed information—check for breathing and pulse from any victims, and any other helpful information. Provide correct information for local authorities and get them involved as soon as possible. 

3. Care

After checking the scene and calling for help, provide care until medical professionals arrive on the scene. Monitor the victims breathing. You may need to stop bleeding or perform CPR. Follow the circulation-airway-breathing of first aid. 

The Three P’s of First Aid 

1. Preserve Life

As a first responder to any situation, you first priority should be to preserve life. You may need to perform CPR, stop bleeding or take other action to preserve the victim’s life. Start with C-A-B—circulation, airway, and breathing. Asses the quality of the victim’s circulation, adjust if needed. Ensure that the victim has no blocks to their airway and that they are breathing. The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening in any way. 

2. Prevent Deterioration

Do what you can to keep the victim in stable condition until medical professionals arrive. The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening and prevent any potential further injury. This may mean moving the victim to a safer location, applying first aid, stabilizing them, or just staying with the victim and providing comfort. 

3. Promote Recovery 

After you’ve done what you can do with first aid treatment, your job now is to promote recovery. This can be done by encouraging confidence, providing comfort, attempting to relieve pain, and so on.

These tips and tricks for emergency situations and first aid will likely differ based on your specific situation. But remembering the basics of what to do may help you save a life or prevent further pain. Know these simple steps before you find yourself in a situation where it’s hard to think clearly. 

People have the legal right to accept or refuse emergency care. Therefore, before giving care to an injured or ill person, you must obtain the person’s permission. 

You need to ask a person's permission before giving emergency care because they have the right to say "No". If a person is conscious and capable of making the decision themselves, it is their decision to make. If your care is refused, you need to respect their wishes. You may call 911 or the local emergency number, but you cannot touch a person who refuses your help.

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

By administering immediate care during an emergency, you can help an ill or injured person before EMS, Emergency Medical Services arrive. And you may be able to help save a life. However, even after training, remembering the right first aid steps – and administering them correctly – can be difficult. In order to help you deliver the right care at the right time, we've created this simple step-by-step guide that you can print up and place on your refrigerator, in your car, in your bag or at your desk.

Checking an Injured or Ill Person

1 CHECK the scene for safety, form an initial impression, obtain consent, and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

2 If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout

Note: CHECK for no more than 10 seconds

3A If the person does not respond, responds but is not fully awake, is not breathing or is only gasping, or has life-threatening bleeding or another obvious life-threatening condition, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so. Then, give CARE based on the condition found and your level of training and continue your check to determine if additional care is needed

Note: For a person who is unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR and use an AED immediately

3B If the person is responsive or responds to stimulation and is fully awake and does not appear to have a life-threatening condition:

• Interview the person (or bystanders, if necessary), ask questions about signs and symptoms, allergies, and medications and medical conditions (SAM)
• Do a focused check based on what the person told you, how the person is acting and what you see

Note: Do not ask the person to move if you suspect a head, neck or spinal injury. Do not ask the person to move any area of the body that causes discomfort or pain

Note: As you check the person, take note of any medical identification tags

4 After completing the CHECK step, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so (if needed). Then, give CARE based on the condition found and your level of training

Be Prepared

You can also sign up for a get First Aid/CPR/AED certified, where you'll learn the latest techniques and earn a two-year certification in first aid from the American Red Cross.