What should you check on an apparent deceased victim?

• A. Pulse, Respiration, skin temperature, and finger pressure to skin and fingernail bed
• B. Only pulse
• C. Only respiration
• D. Only skin temperature

Answer: (A)

When you encounter an apparently deceased victim, you need a quick, multi-check to avoid missing life. Looking for more than one sign of life gives a reliable snapshot of whether the body is still circulating and breathing. A pulse checks for heart activity, confirming central circulation. Respiration verifies that air is moving and that the brainstem and chest are responding. Skin temperature offers a sense of how well blood is being circulated to the periphery and helps you gauge overall perfusion. Pressing on the skin or fingernail bed to test capillary refill shows how quickly blood returns to the area, which reflects circulation to the extremities. Taken together, these signs paint a fuller picture than any single indicator and reduce the risk of misjudging the situation. If any sign of life is detected, you should activate emergency services and follow your training for monitoring and response. If none are present, follow your protocol for declaring no signs of life and initiating appropriate steps.