EMS
The quick and proper response
to a medical emergency can make the difference between a difficult
recovery or death, and one where the patient recovers fully
from their accident. Knowing a few simple steps to follow can
help stop the problem and keep it from getting worse until
help arrives.
The best way to respond to
a medical emergency is to have appropriate training beforehand,
so you know what to do when emergencies occur. Consider taking
CPR or first-aid classes; they are offered at the American
Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or through many
community groups. It doesn't take long, and the information
is invaluable.
If you come upon a medical
emergency, first make sure the area around the patient is safe
for you to enter; you don't want whatever befell the patient
to happen to you! Then, find out if the person is awake and
can tell you what the problem is. Most often, they will tell
you what happened (or it will be apparent), and you can then
call 9-1-1 and tell them. If the patient is unconscious, FIRST
ascertain if the patient is breathing. Look at their chest
to see if it rising and falling, listen for the sounds of breathing,
and feel the air moving on your cheek or the back of your hand.
If the person is NOT BREATHING, this is a life-threatening
problem that must be corrected immediately. If you know CPR
or how to do mouth-to-mouth respiration, DO IT, and have a
bystander call 9-1-1. If you do not, call 9-1-1 and the call-taker
will tell you how. This is the one thing that can save a life
if you do it soon enough after the accident or illness strikes.
In the vast majority of incidents,
however, the person is breathing and may or may not be conscious.
Immediately dial 9-1-1 and give them the location, the nature
of the problem as best you can determine, and whether or not
the person is conscious (awake) and breathing. If you know
anything of what happened beforehand (such as a fall, an injury,
or being hit by a car), also give that information to the call-taker.
STAY ON THE LINE, the call-taker will tell you what you can
do to help the patient until help arrives.
If
you find someone who has been injured, DON'T MOVE THEM! This
includes injuries from falls, sports, car accidents, etc.
Cover the patient with a blanket,
jacket, or something that will keep them warm (even in summer!).
This will help prevent shock.
If the person is bleeding,
take a clean, dry cloth and place it over the wound. Apply
direct, firm pressure (not too much) to the wound site to stem
the flow of blood. Once you place the cloth, do NOT remove
it for any reason, even to check and see if the bleeding stopped.
If it begins to soak through with blood, place another cloth
on top of the first.
|
