What To Do In An Emergency

Recognizing a Heart Attack

Delay can prove deadly! When someone suffers a heart attack, minutes --- specially the first few minutes --- are very important. The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort, often described as uncomfortable pressure, fullness, or squeezing. The pain is often located in the center of the chest under the breastbone but may also start in or spread to either shoulder or arm, neck or lower jaw. The pain may remain constant or it may come and go.

Other signs of a possible heart attack include:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Difficulty breathing
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Fainting

Recognizing a Stroke

For a person exhibiting signs of a stroke, every minute without treatment costs the victim 1.9 million brain cells. As each second passes, more of the brain cells are damaged. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and it is important to recognize symptoms and obtain treatment at a hospital quickly. Victims of a stroke can suffer permanent damage including movement, speech and memory deficits as well as the risk of paralysis. Some unfortunately, may not survive a stroke. Patients who obtain treatment at a local hospital within the hour have the best outcomes. 

Signs of a stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, sever headache with no known cause

Learn the National Stroke Association’s Act FAST (Face Arms Speech Time) test:

• FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately

By knowing how to quickly evaluate a person with a possible stroke, you can help him to get rapid emergency care for the best possible results.

Recognizing Other Medical Emergencies...

Know which symptoms to watch for. The warning signs of a medical emergency are:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
• Fainting
• Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision
• Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion or difficulty waking up)
• Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
• Bleeding that won't stop
• Severe or continuous vomiting
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Suicidal or homicidal feelings 

Calling for Medical Help...

Emergency Number: 9-1-1 for Ambulance, Fire or Police

• Stay calm and dial 9-1-1
• Stay on the line and answer all questions
• Follow the directions of the 9-1-1 operator
• If possible, send someone outside to direct the ambulance

Bleeding/Injuries/Fractures

• Call 9-1-1 first
• Control bleeding by pressing on the wound with a clean cloth
• Keep the person lying down
• If you suspect fractures or back injury, do not move the victim

Chest Pain/Heart Attack/Breathing Problems

• Call 9-1-1 first
• Keep person comfortable
• If victim is not breathing, perform CPR if you are trained

Convulsions/Seizures

• Do not restrain person
• Call 9-1-1
• Protect person from harm
• Turn person on side after seizure stops to allow drainage from the mouth

Choking/Airway Obstructions

• Call 9-1-1 first.
• If person cannot speak or cough, perform Heimlich Maneuver if you are trained
• If airway clears, keep victim calm until the ambulance arrives

Ingestion Poisoning

• Give nothing by mouth
• Call Poison Control Center, 1-800-336-6997
• If directed, call 9-1-1

Serious Burns

• Remove source of the burn
• Call 9-1-1