Paramedic National Registry Practice

In the scenario of a bus crash, what is the first action you should take?

1. Start patient assessment

2. Call for additional resources

3. Provide immediate care

4. Evacuate victims to safety

The correct answer is: Call for additional resources

In the scenario of a bus crash, prioritizing the call for additional resources is a critical first action due to the nature of Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs). When arriving at a scene with potentially multiple injured victims, it's essential to ensure that there is sufficient personnel, equipment, and medical support available to effectively manage the situation. This helps maintain overall scene safety and organization, ensuring that all victims receive appropriate care in a timely manner. Calling for additional resources addresses the potential complexity of the accident, where more advanced care or additional responders may be necessary to triage and treat multiple patients. It ensures that you are not overwhelmed by the number of victims needing assistance and can mobilize the necessary resources to manage the situation effectively. In contrast, starting patient assessment or providing immediate care without sufficient backup could lead to poor outcomes if there are many victims, as you may not be able to offer help to all those in need promptly. Similarly, evacuating victims to safety should also consider the scene's safety and resource availability; it's best done once additional help is on the way. Prioritizing the call for additional resources sets a solid foundation for a coordinated response to a potentially chaotic scene like a bus crash.