When you live close to family, friends, and coworkers, chances are that you’ll eventually encounter a medical emergency. Whether someone cuts their finger in the kitchen or chokes on a snack at the office, you must know how to act quickly. Here is what to do in case of a medical emergency.
Remain Calm
The most important thing to do in an emergency is remain calm. Without a level head, you cannot address the situation properly. When you’re calm, you can accurately assess the injury and decide on the best course of action. You can also clearly communicate with emergency responders when you call the authorities.
Check for Danger
In emergency situations, many people forget to check their surroundings. Many scenarios requiring medical assistance are quite dangerous. The victim could have fled a fire in another room or received an injury from falling debris in the area. Check for danger and ensure you can protect the victim and yourself from bodily harm.
Initiate Treatment
You should never offer medical aid beyond your knowledge. For example, if you know the Heimlich maneuver but cannot perform CPR accurately, stay away from CPR. But when you do encounter a medical emergency, you should address what you can. Assess the problem and figure out the best treatment, whether you use CPR, an AED, or a first aid kit. Also, be sure to take the age and size of the person into consideration. If you have children, you should know the differences between adult and pediatric CPR.
When you know what to do in case of a medical emergency, you can save lives. Whether at home or the office, there are plenty of people around you who may need help. Consider taking a few introductory courses on CPR or lifesaving skills to equip yourself for emergencies.
