What should you do before providing care to a victim?

Before providing care to a victim, obtaining consent is a fundamental and critical step in the process of delivering aid. This principle is rooted in the ethical and legal obligation to respect the individual's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own health and care. In most situations, if the victim is conscious and capable of understanding, you should inform them of your intentions to help and ask for their consent.

In cases where the victim is unresponsive or unable to give consent, implied consent is generally assumed; this is based on the belief that a person would want help in a life-threatening situation. However, if the victim is conscious and able to respond, obtaining explicit consent is not only respectful but also necessary to ensure that the care you provide aligns with their wishes.

The other options, such as starting CPR immediately, ensuring the victim's comfort, or calling the police, may be actions that are appropriate in certain situations but do not take precedence over obtaining consent. Starting CPR is crucial in an emergency cardiac situation, but prior acknowledgment and consent should ideally precede any intervention unless the victim's condition categorically prevents it. Ensuring comfort might be helpful in a non-life-threatening scenario, and calling the police may also be necessary depending on the circumstances. However, these actions