Chapter 5 of 514% of exam

EMS Operations

Operations covers scene safety, triage, ambulance operations, communications, and medical-legal duties. These skills keep providers and patients safe.

Scene Safety & Standard Precautions

Provider safety enables patient care. Hazards and infection control are addressed before and during patient contact.

Scene safety comes first

Assess for traffic, violence, fire, and toxins before approaching the patient.

Use standard precautions

Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious and wear appropriate PPE.

Position apparatus to protect

Block traffic at roadway incidents to shield the work area.

Triage & MCI

Mass-casualty incidents require sorting patients to use limited resources wisely. START is a common rapid triage method.

Greatest good for the greatest number

MCI triage prioritizes patients most likely to benefit from limited resources.

Start by moving the walking wounded

Direct those who can walk to a designated area to identify minor patients.

Immediate for RR over 30

A high respiratory rate flags a red (Immediate) patient in START.

Immediate if breathing only after airway opening

A patient who breathes only after repositioning is tagged red.

Lifting & Moving

Safe patient handling prevents provider injury. The urgency of the move dictates the technique.

Lift with the legs, keep the back straight

Keep the load close and avoid twisting to protect the back.

Emergency move for immediate danger

Use when fire, explosion, or an unsafe scene threatens life.

Non-urgent moves preserve stabilization

When no immediate threat exists, use methods that protect the spine.

Communications & Documentation

Clear communication and accurate records support continuity of care. The radio report prepares the receiving facility.

Give a concise radio report

Include age, chief complaint, vitals, treatment, and ETA so staff can prepare.

Document thoroughly

Accurate records support patient care and legal protection.

Report tourniquet and time-critical facts

Communicate interventions and their timing at handoff.

Medical-Legal & Consent

EMTs must understand consent, refusal, and their duties. Respecting patient rights while providing care is essential.

Expressed consent

A competent, informed patient specifically agrees to care.

Implied consent

Assumes an unresponsive patient would want life-saving care.

Honor competent refusals

A competent, informed adult may refuse care; document it thoroughly.

Avoid abandonment

Do not stop care without transferring to equal or higher-level providers.

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Last updated: November 2026

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