What are the Four Life Saving Steps, in order?

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The main idea is to prioritize threats to life in the order that saves the most. Start by restoring breathing because getting oxygen into the body is the immediate priority; without breathing, tissues quickly suffer, so you support or resume breathing right away (and if trained, use rescue breaths or CPR as needed). Once breathing is established or supported, address bleeding because heavy blood loss can kill rapidly even if breathing is renewed. After the bleeding is controlled, protect the wound with a clean dressing to prevent infection and further injury. The final step is treating for shock, which helps maintain blood flow to vital organs as you stabilize and transport the casualty. This sequence aligns with the flow of life-saving care: air first, then circulation, then wound protection, then shock management. Other sequences delay airway or bleeding control or push shock care before securing the wound and bleeding, increasing risk of deterioration.