SAMPLE & ABCDE

emergency assessment & supportive emergency treatment

Emergency assessment

Collecting key information about an illness or injury in a standardised way using the SAMPLE approach, such as exploring acute signs and symptoms and asking about allergies and medications.

Supportive emergency treatment

Employing the ABCDE approach applicable to all medical emergencies. This includes clearing blocked airways, providing respiratory support if a patient stops breathing and administering cardiovascular treatment if circulation or heart function fails, etc..

Comprehensive ABCDE approach

ICRC Basic Emergency Care: approach to the acutely ill and injured

• The VAPA Guide provides the key clinical features and necessary emergency medical responses to envenoming and poisoning worldwide.
• It is not a textbook on emergency medicine. It assumes solid clinical knowledge and skills. Links to the SAMPLE and ABCDE approaches are provided, but other reliable sources of emergency medicine can also be used.