Sixty Second Check

The Sixty Second Check is used to determine physical injuries to the victim. While performing the check, look for, and ask the patient about:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Deformity
• Fluids (clear, blood, or others)
• Unexplained Rigidity

Perform the check using the list below starting at the top and working down the list one item at a time.

Neck - Spinal Injury

Do not move head or neck. Feel back with fingertips. Discontinue check if patient complains of pain or discomfort, and immobilize the head and neck - continue circle of care until help arrives.

Head - Cuts, bruises, skull fracture

Light feel entire head with fingertips.

Eyes - Neurological damage

Have patient follow finger moving only the eyes.

Ears and Nose - Head injury, ruptured eardrum, damaged middle or inner ear

Look at outside of ears and nose

Shoulder Blades - Dislocated or broken shoulder

Place a hand under each shoulder blade one at a time and feel carefully with fingertips.

Shoulders - Broken or bruised shoulder bones

Gently squeeze shoulders together.

Collar Bones - Broken or bruised collar bones

With two fingers gently feel entire length of collar bones.

Arms - Broken or bruised arm, spinal cord or neurological damage

Grasp the top of the patient's arm with one hand. Slide the other hand slowly and firmly down the arm to the hand. Have patient move fingers and raise arm slightly.

Ribs - Broken or bruised ribs, lung expansion injury, or other chest injury

Gently push rib cage together from each side using both hands.

Abdomen - Internal organ damage

Gently push down on each side of the abdomen just below the rib cage.

Spine - Spinal injury

Gently slide one hand under the patient and feel the spine with fingertips without moving the patient.

Pelvis - Broken or bruised pelvis

Gently push the pelvis down and together using both hands.

Legs - Broken or bruised leg, spinal cord or neurological damage

Grasp the top of each leg one at a time near the pelvis with one hand, with other hand slide slowly and firmly down the leg to the ankle. Have patient wiggle toes, move feet, and lift leg and knee slightly.

Ankles - Broken, bruised or strainged ankle

Have patient rotate ankle.

Return to the Secondary Assessment.