What should a first-aid provider do when assessing a patient?

When assessing a patient, one of the most critical steps for a first-aid provider is to alert Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers and relay relevant medical information. This action is vital because timely communication with EMS can facilitate quicker and more effective patient care once they arrive. First responders must relay important details such as the patient's condition, type of injuries, and any medical history that could impact treatment. This helps ensure that the arriving medical professionals are prepared and can act swiftly upon arrival.

In this context, while ensuring the patient is comfortable, interpreting medical history, and performing a thorough examination of the injury are important actions in patient assessment, they are secondary to the immediate need to inform EMS. The prompt alerting of professional medical services is essential in serious situations where the patient's health may be at risk, ensuring continuity of care and improving potential outcomes.