Saving Your Loved One In An Emergency
If your loved one suffers a life-threatening emergency, would you know what to do? First aid skills are life-saving skills that are essential in the proper handling and management of emergency situations.
It is easy to get rattled in the face of an emergency. There are many factors that affect how people act in an emergency. One critical factor that causes people to panic is the lack of knowledge of how to handle emergency situations. Knowing even basic first aid skills can enable you to help the victim. But even if you do not have formal first aid training, you can still help.
What To Do
• Take action. Activate emergency medical services. It may sound complicated but actually it simply means calling 911 or your local emergency phone number. Inform the operator about the emergency. Even if you cannot speak and provide information, the 911 operators can track your location. Once on-line, do not hang up unless instructed by the operator. Teaching young children how to use 911 and emergency services is also recommended.
• Stay calm. You will be able to help properly if you stay calm. You can provide helpful information to emergency services personnel and physicians.
When To Call
Call 911 or your local emergency phone number if someone requires immediate medical attention. To help make a decision, ask yourself these questions:
• Is it a life-threatening condition or emergency?
• Could the condition get worse or become more serious if you bring the person to thehospital?
• Does the situation of the victim require equipment or skills of paramedics or EMTs?
• Could the traffic conditions and distance cause delay in getting emergency care?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, or if you are not sure, it is recommended that you call 911, wait for an ambulance to arrive, and perform first aid if you are capable. EMTs and paramedics can initiate emergency care at the scene and along the way to the hospital. They can also alert the emergency department of the person’s needs.
Calling 911
When you call 911 or your local emergency phone number, be calm and speak clearly. Here is some important information that you should provide:
• Name of caller
• Address
• Location of the patient
• Phone number
• A description of the problem
Do not hang up the phone unless instructed by the operator to do so. In most cases, the 911 call operator will give you specific instructions on how you will help the victim.
While Waiting For Emergency Services
Be ready to help while waiting for help to arrive. This is where knowledge of first aid becomes of much importance. The help you can provide depends largely on your knowledge of first aid. Basic first aid skills include controlling bleeding, wound care, and performing CPR. But even without first aid training, you can still help the person stay calm by providing reassurance and staying with the victim. As a general rule, do not attempt to provide a medical procedure if you are unsure or have no training.
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