You have arrived on the scene of an assault involving a knife. Assessment of the unresponsive 21-year-old man reveals him to have sustained multiple lacerations to the arms and abdomen, with a section of his intestine protruding through a large laceration to the area around the umbilicus. He has lost a significant amount of blood. His airway is open and he is breathing shallowly at a rate of 28

His radial pulse is weak, and his skin is cool and pale. Which one of the following should the AEMT do FIRST?

A) Start positive pressure ventilation.
B) Check the blood pressure.
C) Cover the intestine with saline soaked gauze.
D) Immobilize to a long board.

A