Doctor 3

This doctor should be experienced in surgical techniques required in trauma resuscitation. His responsibilities are to:

• perform practical procedures as indicated by other team members
• identify and control life threatening bleeding

Doctor 3 partakes in the same sequence:

• primary survey: as directed by other team members this doctor should perform cut-downs, cricothyroidotomies and chest drain insertions. This doctor should also perform a rectal examination and seek signs of pelvic injury, i.e. perineal bruising or blood in the urethral meatus. The patient should then be catheterised if this is not contra-indicated.
  
  
• secondary survey: doctor 3 should examine the chest and abdomen to exclude occult bleeding. This may be difficult. Peritoneal lavage, ultrasound or CT scan may be necessary to confirm intra-abdominal haemorrhage, though these should not delay surgery if clear signs of bleeding are present.