Which of the following should be prioritized when arriving at a scene of a vehicle accident?

When arriving at the scene of a vehicle accident, prioritizing scene safety is crucial for ensuring the well-being of both the responders and any individuals involved in the incident. Assessing scene safety involves evaluating potential hazards such as fire risks, leaking fluids, traffic, and unstable vehicles. By ensuring that the scene is safe before anything else is addressed, responders can prevent secondary injuries, maintain control of the situation, and provide effective and secure care to victims.

Although communicating with bystanders, locating victims, and choosing the right tools are also important aspects of emergency response, they should come after ensuring that the scene is safe. If the scene is hazardous, engaging with bystanders or attempting to locate victims could put responders in unnecessary danger, thus compromising the rescue efforts. Therefore, prioritizing scene safety is the foundation upon which effective rescue operations are built.