If an injured person is conscious but in severe pain, what is your priority?

When managing a situation where an injured person is conscious but experiencing severe pain, the priority is to provide comfort and reassurance. This approach is crucial as it helps to alleviate some of the anxiety and fear that individuals may feel in such distressing situations. By communicating calmly and compassionately, you can create a supportive environment that promotes a sense of safety.

Reassurance can include explaining what has happened, what you are doing to help, and validating their feelings. Offering comfort can also involve physical support, such as ensuring they are positioned safely and comfortably until further help arrives.

While moving the person to a different location or administering pain relief may seem like reasonable options, they could potentially exacerbate the situation if not handled correctly. Movement should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, as it may cause further injury. Administering medication also requires advanced training and authorization. Calling for advanced help is important, but it should be prioritized in conjunction with providing immediate comfort, as this can help care for the person's emotional state while awaiting further medical attention. Therefore, the focus on comfort and reassurance is paramount in managing their experience of pain effectively.