In which situation is it essential to perform a primary survey on a victim?

Performing a primary survey is crucial in situations where the victim is unconscious or unresponsive. The primary survey is designed to quickly assess the victim's airway, breathing, and circulation — the ABCs of emergency care. In cases of unresponsiveness, there is a higher likelihood of life-threatening issues that need immediate attention.

In such scenarios, it is vital to ensure that the airway is clear, check for breathing, and assess circulation to identify any critical conditions requiring prompt intervention. Delaying this assessment could result in worsening the victim's condition or missing signs of a critical emergency.

The other circumstances listed, such as when a victim is conscious and speaking, or when assessing a conscious patient with minor injuries, typically allow for a different approach where the primary survey may not be immediately necessary as the patient can communicate their needs and provide information about their condition.