How to Act in 10 Different Medical Emergencies
I wish everyone strong and lasting health, but also
recognize that life often throws challenges at us, our loved ones, and
unfortunate passers-by, some of which are life-threatening. And in the
case of a medical emergency, it’s definitely better to be safe than
sorry. The 10 life-threatening conditions we describe today are anything
but uncommon, and if you find yourself witnessing any of these
emergencies, after reading this article, you’ll know exactly how to act.
1. In any Medical Emergency (Especially Suspected Stroke), Call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Immediately
If
you find someone in a state of medical emergency, the first thing you
should do is call the emergency medical services. EMS professionals are
trained to give step by step instructions to bystanders and they will
send an ambulance to the location, if necessary.
An
immediate call is absolutely necessary, as complications can be
prevented and lives can be saved with timely treatment. For example, if
you suspect a patient may be suffering from a stroke, it’s crucial for them to get medical attention within 3 hours, or else complications and even death can be unavoidable.
2. How to Act if You Suspect a Heat Stroke
With
the onset of summer, people usually spend significantly more time
outdoors, underestimating the irreversible damage the scorching sun can
cause. One of the worst, and yet common emergencies brought about by the
sun is a heat stroke, or the inability of our body to stop the rapid
rise of its internal temperature.
A
person experiencing heat stroke will typically have a body temperature
of over 40°C (104°F), but be unable to sweat, feel confused, dizzy,
start vomiting or lose consciousness.
A
patient suspected of having heat stroke should be immediately moved out
of the sun and cooled down by any means possible, e.g.:
1. Transferring them into a cool shower or a tub filled with cool water.
2. Putting ice packs or cold towels on their neck, groin, and armpits.
If
a person is conscious, let them drink cool (but not icy cold) water.
If, however, they faint and they have no pulse, they don’t seem to
breathe or move, CPR needs to be performed. A heat stroke is a medical
emergency and it can cause organ failure, brain damage, and death, so
don’t take it lightly.
3. Know How to Perform CPR Properly
If
a person is unconscious and unresponsive, they have no pulse and don’t
seem to breathe, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as soon
as possible is necessary to stimulate blood circulation, as they are
likely in a state of cardiac arrest. Otherwise, they are at risk of
suffering brain damage in as soon as 4 minutes, or even death.
If
you’re the only bystander, you should focus on constant chest
compressions until the emergency unit’s arrival, as some air will pass
through the lungs automatically and won’t allow the lungs to collapse.
If, however, other people can help, too, they can perform rescue
breathing as well.
4. If Someone is Choking, Know How to Perform the Heimlich maneuver
Illustrated
in the image above is the Heimlich maneuver, a movement aimed to push
out the object obstructing the airway. Start by wrapping your arms
around the patient from behind and then doing a few rapid thrusts
towards their belly button (and not their ribs, contrary to popular
belief) until they spit out the object.
Note that this technique is applicable only to adults and older kids.
5. Know When to Use an EpiPen for a Person with Extreme Allergies
Extreme allergic reactions and asthma can bring about a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis,
where the swelling of the tissue obstructs breathing and can cause
death. For this purpose, most people with extreme allergies carry with
them a device called an EpiPen, which is a shot of epinephrine.
A
person experiencing anaphylaxis will usually have hives on their face
and body, a swollen tongue or throat, and may even lose consciousness
(anaphylactic shock). If the latter happens, you have to administer
epinephrine immediately, but in other cases, it’s best to call EMS
first, as an epinephrine shot may be dangerous to patients with other
coexisting conditions.
Read
the instructions on how to use the EpiPen before administering it, as
the procedure can differ depending on the manufacturer.
6. Actions You Can Take if Someone has Seizures
Unfortunately,
there’s nothing you can do to stop a person from having a seizure, but
you have to ensure the patient’s safety during the seizure and prevent
them from choking on their saliva or vomit. To do so, clear out the
space around the patient having a seizure and make sure there are no
sharp objects around, nothing can fall on them or cause any other
injuries.
To
ensure the patient is breathing, place them on their side like shown in
the picture above. You can also put an item of clothing or a towel
under their head to prevent injuries. Most seizures will stop on their
own and don’t require medical attention, but if it’s the person’s first
seizure or several seizures occur, contacting an EMS service is
necessary.
7. Know How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
These
portable devices commonly found in public areas near water fountains or
restroom areas are a simplified version of the defibrillators used in
hospitals. As an addition to CPR, an AED can be used to bring the heart
back to a normal rhythm.
AEDs are equipped with voice instructions, but it might be useful for you to also watch this video illustrating the use of an AED in conjunction with CPR.
8. The Use of the Head Tilt-Chin Lift Maneuver
This
technique is useful for any scenario in which the patient isn’t
breathing properly, be it anaphylaxis or an accompanying technique to
CPR. By lifting the patient’s chin up and tilting their head back like
illustrated in the photo above, you’re allowing the air to pass through
their throat more easily and are preventing the tongue and soft tissues
from obstructing the airways.
9. How to Prevent Blood Loss
Having
a first aid kit in your car or bag while traveling is essential not
only for scratches, burns and preventing infections, but chiefly to make
sure you can stop, dress and clean up a bleeding wound, the most
dangerous scenario of the ones listed.
While
you wait for the paramedics to arrive, you have to press on the wound
constantly to prevent as much blood loss as possible, or else the
patient can enter a life-threatening state of hypovolemic shock (this is when there’s so little blood in the body the heart can’t pump blood).
It
may also be beneficial to clean the wound and place a clean skin
dressing on top of it, constantly pressing on the wound with clean hands
while you wait for an ambulance.
10. What to Do if You Suspect Hypothermia
When
your body has the temperature below 95°F (35°C) and cannot replenish
the lacking body heat, this may lead to a life-threatening condition
called hypothermia. Exposure to cold weather, cold
water, and extremely low indoor temperatures can all cause hypothermia,
especially if you’re dehydrated or exhausted.
Symptoms of hypothermia include:
- A weak pulse
- Shallow breathing
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness and confusion
- Lack of coordination
- Memory loss
- Loss of consciousness.
A
person experiencing hypothermia needs urgent medical attention, but
before the medics arrive, you should protect the patient from the cold
and wind by covering them with coats and blankets, not letting them
touch the cold ground, and, ideally, bringing them indoors.
If
their clothes are wet, you have to replace them with dry ones. Apply
warm compresses (such as hot packs, electric blanket or hot water
bottles wrapped in cloth) on their neck, armpits, and groin. Warm
nonalcoholic drinks way also be beneficial. Finally, if the person is
unconscious and unresponsive, do CPR.
DON'T
give the person a hot bath, put them near a heat source or try to warm
their limbs, as this can strain the heart and lungs. Also make sure they
don't have alcohol or smoke, as both can hinder rewarming.
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