What to do during a medical emergency?

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Are you ready to manage an emergency? If you are familiar with what constitutes an emergency, what to do while waiting for help and where to get help can save a life. There are a number of tips that you should be aware of so that you are prepared during emergencies.

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Always remember that prevention is the best cure. It is advisable to acquire medical and preventive care from a doctor. In addition, receiving the necessary immunizations and managing minor illnesses before they become serious can reduce visits to the emergency department.

Recognize the emergency warning signs

Some of the warning signs of a medical emergency include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest or abdominal pain, abrupt dizziness, fainting, changes in vision, abrupt severe pain, confusion, persistent vomiting, severe bleeding, coughing up of blood as well as suicidal feelings.

CPR
Being familiar on how to perform CPR and choking rescue procedures is vital, particularly if there are young children in the house.

Where to get help

Do not hesitate to call for emergency assistance to be in touch with the emergency team. Remember that you should be familiar with the number to call and keep it posted close to the phone. Even young children must be taught to dial the emergency number during emergencies so that they can call for help in case no one else is around to help.

What to do until help arrives on the scene

Being familiar on how to perform CPR and choking rescue procedures is vital, particularly if there are young children in the house. Courses on CPR are readily offered nowadays so that you are familiar with the steps to perform when this life-saving measure is needed. It is also vital to learn the basics on first aid to readily manage bleeding, shock and bone injuries until the emergency team arrives on the scene.

What not to do

There are also instances where certain measures should not be done during emergencies. It is a known fact that many individuals tend to panic during emergencies. Once you are facing one, you have to stay calm so that you can think clearly.

Even though some keep syrup of ipecac in case of accidental poisoning, it should not be used with all types of poisons. Call the poison control center or emergency department for advice on what to do.

Do not attempt to move an individual who is unconscious or struck his/her head or injured in a vehicular accident unless he/she is in danger. As for burns on the skin, avoid using ice, petroleum jelly or butter. If the burn blisters are deep or large in size, call for immediate medical assistance.

Being prepared with what to do during medical emergencies is vital. You never know when an individual might end up injured or hurt. By knowing the appropriate steps to take and measures to perform while waiting for the emergency team to arrive can help save a life.

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