Jones & Bartlett Learning (JBL) Module 1 Practice Exam

The main idea here is prioritizing safety at the scene. Before you do anything else, you must protect yourself from potential hazards so you don’t become a casualty yourself. That means quickly assessing the environment, applying appropriate protective gear, and taking steps to control or avoid dangers (like traffic, fire, chemicals, or unstable structures). When your own safety is secured, you can approach and care for the patient effectively.

Starting treatment right away isn’t wise if hazards remain, because you could be exposed to the same dangers and end up unable to help anyone. Gathering patient history, while important, isn’t feasible or reliable if you haven’t ensured the scene is safe. Calling for backup is important and should be done as needed, but it doesn’t replace the need to first secure your safety; you can request help while you’re evaluating hazards, but the immediate priority remains your own safety.