What Should You Do During These 7 Health Emergencies?
A family member suddenly complains of chest pain and difficulty breathing – what should you do? Health emergency situations like these can be scary – and more so when you have no clue what steps to take. It’s common to panic during these times, but by staying calm and following life-saving first-aid techniques, you can potentially turn a fatal situation on its head. Read on to know what to do.
1) Chest pain or heart attack
If somebody complains of chest pain or uneasiness, along with shortness of breath, stomach discomfort, fainting, sweating, radiating pain in the neck, jaw or shoulder, they could be suffering from a heart attack. Often, people suffering from these symptoms may merely have heartburn or indigestion. So how can you tell the difference? You may not be able to, but a doctor can. A simple rule of thumb: When in doubt, just go to the hospital.
Immediate steps:
- Call an ambulance – dial 102 or 112 – the common emergency number, or get the victim to a hospital immediately
- Give the patient an aspirin tablet if you’re certain it’s a heart attack – aspirin helps prevent blood clots
- If the patient is unconscious, administer hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
2) Choking
You were all eating dinner, and the next minute, somebody at the table starts choking. What should you do?
In this case, immediate treatment is necessary, or the victim can die.
If the person is conscious but not able to breathe or talk and is gasping for air:
- Ask someone to call for an ambulance (Dial 102 or 112)
- Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand
- Still choking? Give 5 abdominal thrusts – the Heimlich maneuver (if the patient is pregnant, perform the Heimlich a little higher, at the base of the breastbone)
- If the airway still does not clear, continue alternating between back blows and abdominal thrusts until the ambulance arrives
If the victim becomes unconscious, begin CPR immediately.
Partial block:
If the victim’s airway is partially blocked, that is, they can still breathe, (though difficult) and are coughing, do not give back blows, as this may dislodge the foreign object and cause a total blockage. Stay with the patient, reassure them and encourage them to cough up the object.
3) Burns
If the burns are caused by heat, cool the burn by running it under cold water. Do not use icepacks, this may damage the skin more.
If somebody gets an electrical burn, use extreme caution while treating the victim – first switch off the power source and push away wires using a nonconducting object. Don’t move the victim unless the danger is immediate.
If a victim is suffering from chemical burns, remove the chemical from the skin with a cloth – remember to avoid direct contact. Run the area under cool, running water – and once it is dry, wrap in a sterile, non-adhesive bandage or cloth.
Call an ambulance immediately if the person is unconscious, having seizures, difficulty breathing, heart rhythm/cardiac problems, muscle pain and contractions. Assess the situation and start CPR if necessary.
4) Seizures
A seizure occurs when the brain produces a sudden surge of electrical activity. If the victim is suddenly unresponsive, has a rigid body, arched back, difficulty breathing, has convulsive movements, is drooling or experiences loss of bladder or bowel control, they may be suffering from a seizure.
It’s important to note that you cannot stop the seizure, nor should you restrain the patient - just let the seizure pass on its own.
In the meanwhile, here are some steps you can take:
- Make space around the victim and remove dangerous objects
- Protect the victim’s head
- Note the time, duration and other symptoms of the seizure
- After the seizure, open airways, check for breathing and put the victim in the recovery position
- Call an ambulance or take the victim to the hospital once the seizure abates
5) Strokes
Strokes can happen due to hemorrhages (excessive bleeding) or ischemia (blockage due to blood clots).
How do you diagnose a stroke?
If the victim is having speech difficulty, facial weakness, difficulty raising their arm, is dizzy or non-responsive, experiencing loss of bladder or bowel control, they may be having a stroke.
What to do:
Call an ambulance immediately – a stroke can be life-impairing or even fatal.
Record the symptoms manifested by the victim – so the doctor can make a more informed diagnosis.
For more information, read our blog on strokes.
6) Head trauma or excessive bleeding
If somebody suffers a severe injury that leads to bleeding, loss of consciousness, confusion on instability, call an ambulance immediately and try to stop the bleeding. Making tourniquets are no longer advised, instead put pressure directly on the site of the injury.
Excessive nosebleeds could indicate an underlying serious cause like high blood pressure and should be treated immediately at a hospital.
7) Hip fractures
Older people are more susceptible to hip fractures. A hip fracture is generally a serious injury that can reduce mobility and, in some cases, shorten the victim’s lifespan.
If someone you know has had a fall and you suspect a hip fracture - don’t try to move the victim yourself, you may do more harm than good.
Call the ambulance and follow the doctor’s instructions.
In any situation, if you’re in doubt, don’t hesitate to call the ambulance – you could save a life.
Star Imaging offers the world’s most advanced imaging technology, including a 3T MRI scanner with ambient experience, a 128 slice CT scanner; and is Pune’s leading Second Opinion clinic for scans.
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