Upon arrival at a store where a holdup occurred, what should you do when you see an injured manager inside?

In a situation involving a holdup or any potential violent crime, the safety of all individuals, including first responders, is paramount. When you see an injured person, such as the manager, inside the store, your instinct may be to rush in to provide care. However, entering the scene without proper assessment of the situation can place you and others at significant risk.

Waiting for law enforcement to secure the scene is the best course of action. Police have the training and authority to ensure that the scene is safe and to manage any ongoing threat. Once they have secured the area, they can provide guidance on when it is appropriate for medical personnel to enter to provide care.

This approach not only protects you but also ensures that the injured manager receives help as soon as it is safe to provide it. Emergency medical services (EMS) procedures emphasize the importance of scene safety before delivering patient care, especially in potentially volatile situations. This prioritization of safety aligns with established protocols in emergency response training and practice.