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Medical Emergency? Crucial Steps to Save Lives

Emergencies can happen at any time, often without warning. Understanding how to provide urgent care and respond in an emergency medical condition can mean the difference between life and death. This blog will provide you with emergency medical tips and the crucial steps to take, ensuring you’re prepared when it counts the most. The most important thing you should do when you are faced with an emergency medical condition at home or elsewhere is to stay calm and call for help and/or 911. The American College of Emergency Medicine considers the following conditions medical emergencies:

  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Fainting.
  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Uncontrolled bleeding.
  • Coughing or vomiting blood.
  • Sudden severe pain.
  • Poisoning.
  • Major injuries, such as broken bones.

In this article, we will describe what you can do immediately to help any person suffering from one of the above conditions to prevent the condition from worsening, save a life, and promote recovery until emergency medical help arrives.

Emergency Medical Urgent Care Tips:

1. Recognizing an Emergency Medical Condition and Taking Action

 

Difficulty breathing

If someone is having difficulty breathing call 911 immediately and then do the following:

  • Check the person’s airway, breathing, and pulse (ABC).
  • Loosen any tight clothing.
  • Put the person in the most comfortable position.
  • If need be, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Continue to monitor the person’s breathing and pulse until medical help arrives.

Fainting

Treat fainting (loss of consciousness) as a medical emergency until the person gains consciousness and the cause is known. If someone faints:

  • Lay the person down, flat on his or her back.
  • Try to revive the person by shaking the person vigorously, tap briskly, or yell.
  • If there are no injuries and the person is breathing, slightly elevate the person’s feet above heart level
  • If the person is alert and has not eaten in more than 6 hours or has diabetes, give fruit juice.
  • If there is any vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person onto their side, to prevent them from choking
  • Loosen tight clothing.
  • DO NOT move the person, if they have sustained any obvious neck or back injuries, while Fainting (or falling)
  • Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and call 911, if the person:
    • Does not regain consciousness within 1-2 minutes
    • Has blue lips or face
    • Is not breathing, has difficulty breathing or moving
    • Has sustained serious injuries while fainting
    • Has problem talking or seeing
    • Is experiencing chest pain or has an irregular or slow heartbeat 

Chest pain or pressure

All Chest Pain should be evaluated by a trained medical professional, as soon as possible! Its cause can vary from minor problems, such as heartburn or emotional stress, to serious medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). If someone has unexplained chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, seek emergency medical help.

If Heart Attack is suspected, follow these first-aid steps:

  • Call 911 or emergency medical assistance.
  • Take aspirin.
  • Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed.
  • If the person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with hard and fast chest compressions.
  • If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is immediately available and the person is unconscious, follow the device instructions for using it.

Uncontrolled bleeding

If someone has severe bleeding, reassure the injured person and do the following:

  • Remove any clothing or debris on the wound. Don’t remove large or deeply embedded objects. Instead, apply padding on either side of the object avoiding pressure on the object.
  • First, stop the bleeding by applying firm pressure over the wound with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. Apply constant pressure until the bleeding stops.
  • Avoid any direct contact with the patient’s blood or other body fluids.
  • Lay the person down, keep him/her at total rest and reassure him/her.
  • For life-threatening bleeding from a limb, apply a tourniquet and raise the injured limb.
  • Immobilize the injured body part as much as possible.
  • Call 911 or emergency medical help for severe bleeding that can’t be controlled.
  • A life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can help relieve allergy symptoms, but because it works slowly, isn’t sufficient to treat anaphylaxis. If you’re with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis:

  • Call 911 or emergency medical assistance.
  • If the person has an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack, help inject the medication by pressing the autoinjector against the person’s thigh.
  • Lay the person on his or her back
  • Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don’t give the person anything to drink.
  • If there’s vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
  • If there are no signs of breathing, coughing, or movement, begin CPR.
  • Get emergency treatment even if symptoms start to improve.
  • If you’ve had any kind of severe allergic reaction in the past, ask your doctor if you should be prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector to carry with you.

Coughing or vomiting blood

Coughing or vomiting blood can have many causes, some of them serious. If the bleeding is mild, treatment may be focused on managing the underlying cause. Otherwise, the following options may be considered. 

  • If you or someone you know is coughing or vomiting small amounts of blood for longer than a week, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the cause and the proper action.
  • Seek immediate attention if you are coughing or vomit more than a few teaspoons of blood or your cough or vomiting is accompanied by chest pain, blood in your urine or stools, dizziness or light-headedness, shortness of breath, fever.
  • If you or someone is coughing blood, the first step in managing it is to make sure the airway is protected. Intubation (inserting an endotracheal tube) may be necessary, especially with massive bleeding.
  • If you are vomiting blood the first step is to stabilize any low blood pressure, breathing problems, or other complications of excessive blood loss. You or he/she may require a blood transfusion, breathing assistance, and medication for your blood pressure or to lower stomach acid levels.

Sudden severe pain

Sudden, severe pain can occur in almost any place in the body and can result from a variety of conditions. There are two methods we can employ to help reduce pain; medicated and non-medicated.

  • To some degree pain can be controlled without the need for medications by applying cool compresses (ice) to the affected area to cause vasoconstriction, reducing swelling and thus reducing pain.
  • Put the person in a comfortable position and reassure –Do not underestimate the value of emotional support.
  • Medicated Pain Control
    • Aspirin – 300mg – 600mg every 6 hours to a maximum of 4g a day. Take with food and avoid if there is a history of stomach ulcers or an allergy to ibuprofen.
    • Paracetamol – for adults (over 50kg) is 500mg – 1g (one to two tablets) every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4g a day (or 6hrs for those with renal impairment (2).
    • Ibuprofen – 200mg-400mg 8 hourly – with food – to a maximum of 1200mg a day.
    • Paracetamol + Ibuprofen – 400mg ibuprofen 8 hourly (to a maximum of 1200mg in 24hrs) + 1g paracetamol 6 hourly (to a maximum of 4mg in 24 hours)
    • Codeine – Codeine is addictive and should not be taken for more than three days.

Poisoning

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if the person is having trouble breathing, is drowsy or unconscious, convulsing or having seizures, uncontrollably restless or agitated, or known to have taken medications, or any other substance, intentionally or accidentally overdosed.
  • Call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 in the United States or your regional poison control center if the person is stable and has no symptoms and the person is going to be transported to the local emergency department
  • Have somebody gather pill bottles, packages, or containers with labels, and any other information about the poison to send along with the ambulance team.
  • While waiting for help, take the following actions:
    • Swallowed poison – Do not automatically induce vomiting as this may cause burning of the airway. If it is a corrosive substance remove anything remaining in the person’s mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container’s label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning.
    • Poison on the skin – Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to 20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.
    • Poison in the eye – Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
    • Inhaled poisons – Move the person to fresh air immediately as long as it is safe to do so.
    • Injected (e.g. needle, insects) poisons – remove the object if you can do so without causing further harm.
    • If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent choking.
    • Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing, or coughing.

Major injuries, such as broken bones

If you suspect that someone has a broken bone, provide first-aid treatment and help them get professional care:

  • If it is an open fracture, apply pressure around the wound and not over the protruding bone, to stop any bleeding.  Elevate and apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth.
  • Immobilize the injured area using a splint or sling if you suspect a broken bone of the limbs: Don’t try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in.
  • If you suspect a broken bone in the neck or back, don’t move the person except if necessary to avoid further injury and help the person stay as still as possible,
  • Apply cold to the area to limit swelling and help relieve pain.
  • Treat for shock if the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths. Lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the body and elevate the legs if possible. Keep the person warm.
  • Begin CPR if there’s no breathing or heartbeat, is unconscious, and call 911.

2. Staying Calm and Assessing the Situation

In an emergency, staying calm is crucial. Panic can hinder your ability to respond effectively. Research shows that a calm demeanor can improve decision-making skills under pressure (Kahneman, 2011).

 

Steps to Quickly Assess the Situation

 

  1. Look for Immediate Dangers: Ensure the environment is safe for both you and the victim.
  2. Assess the Victim’s Responsiveness: Check if the victim is awake and aware. Shake their shoulder gently and ask if they can hear you.
  3. Check for Breathing and Circulation: Look for chest movements, listen for breath sounds, and feel for a pulse.

By assessing the situation methodically, you can make informed decisions about the next steps.

 

3. Calling for Help

When and How to Call for Emergency Services

Knowing when to call for emergency help can save lives. If the situation appears serious, do not hesitate to call. In the U.S., the emergency number is 911. For those in other countries, familiarize yourself with local emergency numbers.

 

What Information to Provide

When you call for help, be prepared to provide:

  • Your location (be specific)
  • Nature of the emergency (what happened)
  • Number of people involved
  • Any visible injuries

Staying on the line until help arrives ensures that you can provide updates and receive additional instructions.

 

4. Providing Basic First Aid

Basic first aid knowledge is invaluable in emergency situations. The American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of being equipped with first aid skills (American Red Cross, 2023).

 

Overview of Essential First Aid Techniques

 

  • CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): This technique is vital in cardiac arrest situations. The American Heart Association recommends hands-only CPR: push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute (American Heart Association, 2023).
  • Controlling Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the wound. If the bleeding does not stop, add more layers rather than lifting the bandage to check (CDC, 2022).
  • Treating Shock: Signs include rapid pulse, shallow breathing, and pale skin. Lay the victim down and elevate their legs, but don’t give them food or water (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
  • Addressing Choking: For adults, use the Heimlich maneuver. For infants, use a series of back blows and chest thrusts (American Red Cross, 2023).

Familiarizing yourself with these techniques can greatly enhance your ability to respond effectively.

 

5. Using First Aid Kits Effectively

A well-stocked first aid kit is a must-have for every home and vehicle. The CDC recommends having a first aid kit that includes essential items like bandages, antiseptics, and over-the-counter medications (CDC, 2022).

 

First Aid kits for home – Items to Include

 

  • Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
  • Sterile gauze pads and adhesive tape
  • Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment
  • A CPR face shield
  • Scissors and tweezers
  • Pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen)

How to Use Common Items

 

  • Antiseptics: Clean wounds to prevent infection.
  • Bandages: Apply to cuts and abrasions to promote healing.
  • CPR Face Shield: Use during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to protect both the rescuer and the victim.

Regularly check your first aid kit to ensure that items are in good condition and that you have the essentials for emergencies.

 

Specific Scenarios and Responses

Each emergency medical condition has unique responses. Understanding these can enhance your effectiveness in real-life situations.

 

Heart Attack

Symptoms may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and nausea. If you suspect a heart attack, call for emergency help immediately and administer CPR if the person is unresponsive (AHA, 2023).

 

 

Stroke

The FAST method can help you identify a stroke:

  • Face drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Speech difficulties
  • Time to call for help

Immediate medical attention can significantly affect recovery (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

 

 

Allergic Reactions

For severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), use an EpiPen as directed. Call emergency services immediately after administering the EpiPen (American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2023).

 

 

Burns

Treat burns by cooling the affected area with running water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply ice directly, as this can worsen the injury (American Burn Association, 2023).

 

 

Aftercare and Follow-Up

After the initial emergency, monitoring the victim’s condition is essential. Pay attention to any changes in their status and seek further medical attention if necessary.

 

 

When to Seek Further Medical Attention

  • Worsening symptoms
  • Signs of infection (redness, swelling, fever)
  • Any unusual behavior or changes in consciousness

Understanding potential long-term effects can help in the recovery process.

 

 

Preparing for Emergencies

Preparation is key to effectively managing emergencies. Having a family emergency plan and knowing emergency contacts can make a significant difference.

 

 

Importance of Having a Family Emergency Plan

Discuss and create a plan that outlines what to do in various emergencies. Include:

  • Meeting places
  • Emergency contact numbers
  • Roles for each family member

Keeping Emergency Contact Information Accessible

Have important numbers written down and stored in accessible places, such as on the refrigerator or in a wallet.

 

 

Importance of Taking First Aid and CPR Courses

Consider enrolling in first aid and CPR courses offered by organizations like the American Red Cross or local community centers. These skills can empower you to act decisively in emergencies.

 

 

Conclusion

Being prepared for medical emergency is not just a skill but a vital necessity. By recognizing signs, staying calm, providing first aid, and knowing when to seek help, you can make a significant impact and save lives during critical moments. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these steps to provide urgent care and consider taking courses to deepen your understanding. The knowledge you gain could save a life.

 

 

Additional Resources

By being informed and prepared, you not only equip yourself with the tools to respond but also empower those around you to act in emergencies. Remember, every second counts, and your actions can truly make a difference.