Top to Toe Survey
And
Recovery Position
JANICE MCDADE
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Ground Rules for Session
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Confidentiality Policy
• Appeals procedure
Approved Code of Practice
• Name something you would expect to see
in a First Aid Box
• Name something you would expect to see
recorded in an Accident Book
• Name one duty of employers under the
Health and Safety at Work Act
• Name one duty of employees under the
Health and Safety at Work Act
The Aim
• Assess the nature and extent of any
possible injury
• Understand and demonstrate the correct
sequence of Top to Toe Survey
• Protect the airway of an unconscious
casualty
• Be able to place an unconscious casualty
in the Recovery Position
By the end of this session you
will be able to:
• Assess the extent of injury to a
casualty
• Carry out a Top to Toe Survey in
correct sequence
• Place a casualty in the Recovery
Position
Top to Toe Survey
• Head – lumps, bumps, indentations and
wetness
• Face - bone structure, fracture sites such
as nose and chin, check pupils, ears and
nose for fluid, lips for cyanosis and mouth
for bleeding
• Neck – for cervical break
• Collar Bone – for equality and symmetry
Top to Toe Survey
• Arms – Misshapen, swelling and fluids
• Rib Cage – Check for paradoxical
breathing and fractures
• Abdomen – check for rigidity
• Pelvic Area – look and listen for crepitus
• Legs – As arms
Recovery Position
• Secure Position which protects
the casualty and maintains the
airway
• Head, neck and back are kept
in alignment
Recovery 2
Recovery 3
You should now be able to
• Assess the extent of injury to a
casualty
• Carry out a Top to Toe Survey
in correct sequence
• Place a casualty in the
Recovery Position
Recovery Position - First Aid
Manual 8th Edition
• Pg 85 and 93 Spinal Injury to
Adult/Child
• Pg 84/85 – Adults
• Pg 92/93 – Children
• Pg 98 – Infant
• www.bbc.co.uk/firstaid