What should be done to victims before a search and rescue operation can advance?

Conducting a primary survey is vital before advancing a search and rescue operation because it allows rescuers to swiftly evaluate the victims' condition, identify immediate life threats, and prioritize interventions. This assessment provides critical information regarding any urgent medical needs, such as airway obstruction, respiratory distress, or significant bleeding.

Additionally, it enables rescuers to determine the general safety of the environment around the victims, which is essential for planning the extraction safely. The primary survey thus sets the stage for effective and targeted rescue efforts, ensuring that immediate threats to life are addressed as quickly as possible, optimizing the chances of survival for victims.

While notifying the command center, assessing surrounding hazards, and controlling the area perimeter are important aspects of overall operation management, they do not directly address the critical need to understand the victims' specific conditions and immediate needs that the primary survey provides. This understanding is fundamental to the successful execution of subsequent rescue operations.