Let’s get started by learning how and when to respond to a wilderness medical situation. Before approaching a patient, you need to make sure that you won’t cause further harm by trying to help.

Scene Safety on One Hand

When you approach an incident scene, the first thing to remember is to stop. Next, count up to five to verify you’re thinking about the following concerns.

One: “I’m number one.”

First, think about your own safety. Is the scene safe? Could you become injured by the environment or by the patient? No matter how much you want to help, it’s never a good...