How to Conduct a Wilderness Patient Evaluation?

Initial Assessment

When conducting a wilderness patient evaluation, start by assessing the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). This can be done using a simple assessment tool such as the ABCDE approach. The ABCDE approach includes checking the patient’s Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. Check the patient’s airway by feeling for the presence of an obstruction, breathing by listening for breath sounds, and circulation by feeling for a pulse. Take note of any abnormalities during this assessment.

Head-to-Toe Examination

Once the ABCs have been assessed, perform a head-to-toe examination to identify any injuries or illnesses. This should include checking the patient’s head, neck, chest, abdomen, back, and limbs for injuries or signs of illness. Use a systematic approach such as the SAMPLE history (Medical history, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent medical history, Last meal, Events leading up to the injury) to gather information about the patient’s condition.

Vital Signs and Level of Consciousness

After the initial assessment and head-to-toe examination, assess the patient’s vital signs, including pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature. Also, assess the patient’s level of consciousness using the AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive). This will help to determine the patient’s severity of illness or injury.