After addressing hemorrhage, what is the next priority in MARCH?

• A. Airway
• B. Circulation
• C. Head Trauma and Hypothermia
• D. Respiration

Answer: (A)

Securing the airway is the next priority after addressing hemorrhage. In the MARCH sequence, stopping massive bleeding comes first, but without a patent airway, you can’t ventilate or oxygenate the patient, so hypoxia can develop rapidly and become life-threatening regardless of how well bleeding is controlled. So the focus immediately shifts to maintaining or establishing an open airway—checking patency, clearing obstructions, positioning the head and neck properly, suctioning as needed, and using airway adjuncts or advanced airway techniques if required. Once the airway is protected, you can then assess and support breathing, followed by circulation and other concerns.