Check, Call, Care: The 3 Steps to Follow in Any Emergency

When something goes wrong, most people freeze because they don't know where to start. First aid training fixes that with one simple order of steps: Check, Call, Care.

These three steps work for almost any emergency, whether someone has collapsed at work, fallen at home or been hurt in a car crash.

Before you do anything, remember three things: stay calm, look for dangers, and never risk your own safety. You can't help anyone if you get hurt too.

Step 1: CHECK the person

First, make sure the area is safe. Look for traffic, fire, electrical hazards, or anything else that could hurt you.

Then check the person:

• Are they responsive? Tap their shoulder and speak loudly: "Are you okay?"
• Do they want your help? If they can answer, ask before you help. If they can't answer, you can assume you have permission to give first aid.
• Check their ABCs:
  • A – Airway: is it open and clear?
  • B – Breathing: are they breathing normally?
  • C – Circulation: are there signs of severe bleeding, or signs of shock?

Step 2: CALL EMS/911

What you do next depends on whether the person responds.

• If the person responds: find out what happened and decide whether they need an ambulance. If you're not sure, it's better to call.
• If the person does not respond: shout for help and call 911 right away. If someone else is nearby, point at them and ask them directly to call, and to bring an AED if there's one close by.

When you call 911, give your exact location first: the address, unit number, or nearest intersection. Stay on the line and follow the dispatcher's instructions.

Step 3: CARE for life-threatening conditions first

Now give the care the person needs, within the limits of your knowledge and training. Deal with the most serious problems first:

1. Not breathing: start CPR.
2. Severe bleeding: apply firm, direct pressure.
3. Then deal with other injuries, and keep the person warm and comfortable until help arrives.

Don't try anything you haven't been trained to do. Staying with the person, keeping them calm and passing clear information to paramedics are all real help.

Download the free poster

Print this poster for your workplace, school or home, so everyone knows the steps before they need them.

Download the Check, Call, Care poster (PDF)

Poster: Canadian Red Cross. This information does not replace formal First Aid & CPR training.

Practise it before you need it

Reading the steps is a good start, but most people only feel confident after practising on a real scenario with an instructor. Every Canadian Red Cross first aid course starts with Check, Call, Care and builds from there.

First 2 Aid Inc. runs Canadian Red Cross first aid and CPR courses in London, Ontario. See upcoming courses.