Emergency medical situations can occur anytime, anywhere. These emergencies can include cardiac arrest, breathing emergencies, choking or any other sudden illness. You don’t have to be a medical professional to help, though. Read on to find out the emergency care do’s…
- Get training
This may sound simple… and it is! Before giving care to anyone you should become trained and familiar with emergency care so you can best help an ill or injured person.
- Obtain consent
Before providing care it is important to get consent of a responsive victim or a minor with a parent on scene. When an injured or ill person is unresponsive, consent is implied. If an unresponsive victim is a child or infant, you should still ask for consent from the parent. Always let victims know your name and explain you are trained and can help. It is important to be educated on the Good Samaritan Law and how you can protect yourself.
- Always Check the Scene
Our first instinct when faced with an emergency medical situation is to run in and help. It is important to check the scene for safety as part of your action steps to ensure you are not putting yourself, or a victim in further danger.
- Always Be Ready
From a family BBQ, to the office or your child’s baseball game… always be ready to respond to an emergency. Cardiac arrest does not have an age limit and can affect anyone at any time. This may sound strange, but carry a first aid kit and breathing barrier in your car so you can have proper PPE supplies readily available. By responding immediately to any medical situation you can increase a persons chance of survival.
- Differentiate CALL and CARE situations
As a first responder to a scene involving an injured or ill person, it is important to CHECK-CALL-CARE.
- CHECK to make sure the scene is safe before entering
- CALL if an emergency appears to be life threatening
- CARE for the victim and remain calm
Conclusion
The best thing you can do to help an ill or injured person is to become trained and be confident in your skills. In life threatening situations you will be able to do more than call 911 and stand by- you can help save a life! For more information on how to get trained, call Ready Response now!
