Monitoring signs of life

It is important that throughout the treatment of a casualty, the first aider monitors and records the casualty’s signs of life.  Remember, if NO signs of life are present, the casualty would be:

• Unconscious
• Unresponsive
• Not purposely moving.
• Not breathing regularly

The Casualty’s Breathing: 

• Is it fast or slow?
• Is it regular or irregular?
• Is it deep or shallow?

Is it noisy, wheezing or gurgling? 

• Is it laboured?
• How many breaths per minute?

The Casualty’s Skin: 

• Is it pink, blue or pale?
• Is it warm or cold?
• Is it dry or moist?

Signs of life should be monitored continuously and if possible, recorded every 5 – 10 minutes (more often after successful CPR or defibrillation). This information should then be passed on to the Ambulance officer or qualified personnel, such as a doctor, when they arrive on scene.