Check, Call, Care: The 3 Steps That Save Lives
In any emergency, chaos can take over. The Canadian Red Cross teaches a simple, powerful framework to guide your actions. Learn it with us in Surrey and Edmonton.
1. CHECK
Check the scene for safety, then check the person for life-threatening conditions.
2. CALL
Call 911 or your local emergency number for professional help.
3. CARE
Provide care for the person to the best of your ability until help arrives.
Step 1: CHECK the Scene and the Person
Before rushing in, your first priority is your own safety. A quick assessment of the scene prevents you from becoming another person in need of help.
Check the Scene
- Is the scene safe? Are there hazards like traffic, fire, or downed power lines?
- What happened? Try to understand the cause of the emergency.
- How many people are injured?
- Is there anyone else around who can help you?
Once you've determined the scene is safe, you can approach the person and begin your primary assessment. This is where the ABCs of First Aid come in.
Check the Person (The ABCs)
A - Airway: If the person is unresponsive, tilt their head back gently to open their airway.
B - Breathing: Check for normal breathing for 5-10 seconds. Is their chest rising and falling?
C - Circulation: Quickly scan from head to toe for any signs of life-threatening bleeding.
Step 2: CALL for Help
Calling for professional medical help is one of the most important things you can do. If you find any life-threatening conditions during your check, call 911 immediately or direct a bystander to call for you.
When in doubt, always call 911. It's better to have help on the way and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Step 3: CARE for the Person
While waiting for EMS to arrive, provide care to the best of your training. Always address the most severe, life-threatening injuries first.
Principles of Care
- Care for life-threatening conditions first (unresponsiveness, breathing issues, severe bleeding).
- Help the person rest in a comfortable position.
- If unresponsive but breathing, roll them into the recovery position to keep their airway clear.
- Keep them calm and reassure them that help is on the way.
- Keep them at a comfortable temperature—not too hot or too cold.
After addressing immediate threats, you can perform a secondary assessment to look for other injuries, asking SAMPLE questions to gather more information for when EMS arrives.
Learn to Respond with Confidence: Book Your Course
Reading is one thing, but hands-on practice is key. Master Check, Call, Care at our leading training centres in Surrey and Edmonton.
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Edmonton, Alberta
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