Why is it important to survey the scene before approaching a victim?

Surveying the scene before approaching a victim is crucial primarily to ensure your safety and the safety of others. This process allows you to assess any potential hazards that may be present, such as traffic, hazardous materials, flames, or even aggressive bystanders. By understanding the environment around the victim, you reduce the risk of becoming another casualty or inadvertently causing further harm. It also helps identify whether emergency services are needed and whether it’s safe to proceed with care or to call for help.

While it's important to determine the victim's condition, understand the number of people involved, and locate available resources, these actions are secondary to ensuring that you can provide help without putting yourself or others at risk. Safety is the first priority in any emergency situation because if you become injured, you cannot assist the victim or others effectively.