Upon arriving at the scene for an MCI, what is the first action you should take when assessing a patient?

The first action you should take when assessing a patient in a mass casualty incident (MCI) is to evaluate breathing and airway. In a situation where multiple patients are involved, prioritizing the assessment of airway and breathing is critical because these are the most immediate life threats.

When a patient's airway is compromised or they are not breathing, it places them at a significantly higher risk of deterioration and death. By starting with the airway and breathing, you can quickly determine whether the patient requires immediate intervention such as airway management or ventilation support.

Checking for a pulse, looking for visible injuries, or asking the patient questions are all important aspects of patient assessment, but they follow the priority of ensuring that the patient's breathing and airway are stable. In the chaotic environment of an MCI, efficient and focused assessments can help allocate resources effectively and save lives.