What should you check for before administering care to a victim?

Before administering care to a victim, it is crucial to check for scene safety and signs of injury as your first priority. Ensuring that the area is safe protects both you as the rescuer and the victim from potential harm. A secure environment allows you to effectively provide assistance without increasing risk.

Signs of injury are also vital to assess; they provide important information about the victim's condition and guide your response. Recognizing injuries can help you determine the appropriate first aid measures to apply, as well as inform emergency services if they need to be called.

While availability of medical equipment, presence of witnesses, and time since the injury occurred can be important factors in specific contexts, they do not replace the necessity of confirming that the scene is safe and assessing the visible injuries of the victim. Ensuring safety and understanding the situation are foundational steps in providing effective care.