How to size up the scene
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
The scene size-up happens before you touch the patient. A rescuer who gets hurt cannot help anyone.
Step by step
Protection
Gloves and other protection on before you get out of the vehicle. [1]
Is the scene safe?
Traffic, fire, wires, chemicals, weapons, animals, unstable structures. Do not enter until it is safe; call police or fire if needed. [1]
Mechanism or illness
What happened? Look at the vehicle damage, the fall height or what is around the patient. [1]
How many patients?
Count them. More patients than you can handle means call for more units now. [1]
Resources
Request additional ambulances, fire, police, hazardous materials or air medical as needed. [2]
Spine and approach
Decide if spinal precautions are needed and approach so the patient sees you. [1]
Common errors
- Walking into an unsafe scene.
- Calling for help too late.
- Missing a second patient.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
Sources
Facts and steps follow NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic); National EMS Education Standards (2021). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.