Which survey would provide an understanding of the situation at a larger scale?

The outer survey is designed to assess the situation from a broader perspective, offering valuable insights into the overall scene and context surrounding an incident. By focusing on the wider area around the vehicle or incident site, this survey can uncover critical hazards, additional vehicles involved, bystanders, and other environmental factors that might impact the rescue operation.

This approach ensures that responders have a clear understanding of not just the immediate challenges but also any larger variables that could influence their strategy and decisions. The outer survey helps to identify potential dangers or complications that wouldn't be evident from a more focused view, allowing for more comprehensive planning and risk assessment.

In contrast, other survey types like the inner and preliminary surveys center on closer examination of the vehicle or initial conditions, whereas the environmental survey tends to emphasize aspects related to the surrounding ecosystem rather than the operational context in a rescue scenario. Thus, the outer survey is crucial for gathering extensive situational awareness necessary for effective rescue operations.