Medical Emergencies

Sept. 26, 2025 | No matter how careful you are, accidents will happen. Someone chokes on an ice cube or gets stung by a bee. It is important to know when to call 9-1-1, a number reserved for life-threatening emergencies. While waiting for help to arrive, you may be able to save someone’s life. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is for people whose hearts or breathing has stopped. CPR should only be done if you have had the training. You can also learn how to handle common injuries and wounds. Cuts and scrapes, for example, should be rinsed with cool water. To stop bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure, using gauze. If blood soaks through, add more gauze, keeping the first layer in place. Continue to apply pressure. It is important to have a first aid kit at home and in your car. It should include a first-aid guide. Read the guide to learn how to use the items, so you are ready in case of an emergency.

Sept. 26, 2025 | Everyone is only one step away from a medical emergency. The first minutes after a medical crisis are the most important. You can make a difference by knowing what to do and making a decision to act. Action can mean anything from calling paramedics to performing CPR or applying direct pressure to a wound. Never perform a medical procedure if you are unsure of how to do it. If you don’t know how to or do not want to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation on someone who is having a heart attack, the American Heart Association has endorsed chest-compression only CPR. This means pushing hard and fast in the middle of the victim’s chest with minimal interruptions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. The song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is approximately 100 beats per minute, which is a helpful way to remember how fast to perform compressions. Continue compressions until the ambulance arrives.

Sept. 26, 2025 | A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment’s notice. You can purchase a first aid kit at drugstores or a local Red Cross office, or make one of your own. If you decide to make one, choose containers for your kits that are durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal, since they’re lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space. A first-aid kit should include a first-aid manual, sterile gauze pads of different sizes, adhesive tape, a splint, antiseptic wipes, an antiseptic solution like hydrogen peroxide, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to store the first-aid kit in places that are out of children’s reach but easily accessible for adults. Check the kit regularly and replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.

Sept. 26, 2025 | If you suspect someone may have suffered from a broken bone, the first thing to remember is not to move the injured person unless they are in imminent danger. Movement can cause serious nerve damage. Then phone for emergency medical help. If the person must be moved, the neck and back must be completely immobilized first. Keeping their head, neck and back in alignment, move the person as a unit. If the person has an open break, where the bone protrudes through the skin and there is severe bleeding, apply pressure on the bleeding area with a gauze pad or a clean piece of clothing or other material. Do not wash the wound or try to push back any part of the bone that may be sticking out. If the person must be moved, apply splints around the injured limb to prevent further injury. Place a bag of ice wrapped in cloth on the injured area and keep the person lying down until medical help arrives.

Sept. 26, 2025 | To avoid a life-threatening medical emergency, it’s important to be prepared. Always keep a list of emergency phone numbers by the phone, including the numbers for police, fire, poison control, a local hospital, ambulance service and your family physician. Keep a list of all your medications in your wallet, including drug names, strength, and contact information for the doctor who prescribed them. Be sure to list all allergies and keep a list of emergency contacts, such as family members. It’s a good idea to program your cell phone the name and phone number of someone who knows you and your medical history well. Wear your medical-alert bracelet or necklace if you have a condition that emergency responders need to know about, such as asthma or epilepsy, and take a first-aid class. This will not only help you stay calm and focused, but will also help you to help yourself and those around you in the event of an emergency.