Medical Emergencies

EMSEmergency Medical Service System

Why?

• Why is it important to learn CPR/First Aid?• What kind of medical emergencies might you

witness?• What kind of things can you do to help

someone?

• What kind of medical emergencies might you witness?

• What kind of things can you do to help someone?

Steps

• Recognize that an emergency exists• Decide to Act• Activate the EMS system• Give care until help takes over

1. Recognize that an Emergency Exists

• Unusual Noises– Screaming, sudden loud noises, unusual silence

• Unusual Sights– Stopped vehicle, downed electrical wires, smoke

• Unusual Odors– Stronger than usual, Unrecognizable

• Unusual Appearances/Behaviors– Unconsciousness, confusion, trouble breathing

2. Decide to Act

• Common Factors that keep people from responding– Fear of doing something wrong– Being unsure of what to do– Assuming someone else will take action– Type of injury or illness– Fear of catching disease– Fear of being sued

• Good Samaritan Laws

– Being unsure when to call 911

3. Activate the EMS System

• Call 911• Phone number, address, location of

emergency, police/fire/medical assistance• Many are trained to give first aid instructions

4. Give care until help takes over

• Give care until – Signs of life (breathing) – A trained responder takes over– You are took exhausted to continue– The scene becomes unsafe

Permission to give care

• Expressed Consent- the conscious person gives permissions to give care– Do not give care to someone who does not give

you permission.• Implied Consent- Unconscious, unable to

respond, law assumes if they could respond, they would give permission.

Disease Prevention

• Avoid contact with blood/body fluids– Wear gloves

• CPR protective barriers• Wash hands after care

Taking Action

• Check the scene• Call 911• Care for the person

Check the Scene

• Is it safe?• Is immediate danger involved?• What happened?• How many people are involved?• Is anyone else available to help?• What is wrong?

Call 911

• Call if:– Unconscious, breathing problems, chest pain,

severe bleeding, severe burns, suspected poisoning, suspected injuries

– Fire/explosion, rising water, poisonous gas, car accident, injured person can not be moved

Care

• Do no further harm• Monitor the person’s breathing and

consciousness• Help the person rest in most comfortable

position• Keep the person from getting the chills• Reassure the person• Give any specific care as needed.