What are two important things to look for when surveying the scene of an emergency?

When surveying the scene of an emergency, it is crucial to first ensure your own safety and assess whether it is safe to enter the area. This is essential because entering a hazardous scene without proper caution can put both the responder and the victims in further danger. Understanding the safety of the environment helps to prevent additional injuries or complications.

Alongside assessing the safety of the scene, determining if there are any other victims is vital for addressing the needs of all individuals involved. This allows responders to prioritize care effectively and call for additional help if necessary. Being aware of multiple victims can change the approach to how care is delivered, as responders need to triage properly to assist those in the most critical need first.

In contrast, while understanding factors like weather conditions or the time of day might help in specific situations, they do not directly impact the immediate response or the assessment of safety and additional victims. Similarly, knowing the type of injury and the level of response needed comes after the initial assessment of the scene's safety and the count of victims. Hence, focusing on safety and the number of individuals affected is fundamental in managing an emergency effectively.