This follows the primary Survey (DRS ABCD) and after any life threatening bleeding has been treated.

A thorough examination of the casualty is to be completed. The more information the first aider can gather, the better equipped the first aider will be to give the most appropriate treatment. There are four (4) tools used to assist in assessing the casualty in the Secondary Survey.
They are:

• Signs
• Symptoms
• History
• Medical alert bracelets.

Signs: What the first aider can see, touch, hear or smell. For example, the casualty is bleeding, has vomited, has noisy breathing etc. These signs are most important to note when the casualty is unconscious and unable to communicate with the first aider.

Symptoms: This is the information provided by the casualty. It is what they tell the first aider e.g. where they have pain, how they feel etc.

History: This has two (2) components.

• The first is relevant past history, which may include previous illnesses or injuries that have contributed to the current situation. For example the casualty has a heart condition and now has chest pain or a respiratory problem and is short of breath.
• The second component is the current history. This includes what has happened or what has occurred leading up to this current situation. This information will tell you what happened and the type of injuries that could be present. For example, the casualty that fell from the roof of the house would generally have different injuries than the casualty who fell out of a chair. Bystanders and witnesses are often important in establishing the current history.

Further information can also be gathered using – Simple Questions.

• Allergies: – Does the casualty have any?
• Medications: – What medications does the casualty use?
• Past Medical History: – Does the casualty have any previous illnesses?
• Last meal: – When did the casualty last eat/drink?
• Event: – What events have occurred leading up to the incident?

Medical alert bracelets: People suffering with known medical conditions e.g. allergies, usually wear a medical alert bracelet so that in case of an emergency a first aider will look for the bracelet and be able to gain important information about the casualty.