A Simple Guide To Dealing With Medical Emergencies & First Aid

1. Size Up The Situation
Your first step in a medical emergency must be to look around and ask yourself "Is the scene safe for me?" before attempting a rescue. Too often well-intentioned rescuers become victims themselves when they risk their safety to help others. Don't think that rushing in will make you a hero. If the area is unsafe, go for help or put on the personal protective equipment (PPE) that will permit you to assist safely.
Keep in mind that blood and some body fluids may contain infectious matter so ALWAYS take Universal Precautions, like wearing gloves or a CPR barrier mask, to protect you. Barrier devices should be kept in your First Aid Kit.

2. Set Priorities
After you've determined that it is safe for you to enter the area, approach the victim. As you do, look for signs of life. Determine if the victim is breathing. Tap the victim on the shoulder and ask, "Are you OK?" (Saying 'OK' is internationally understood.). Determine if the victim is breathing.
If spine or neck injury is suspected, don't move the victim unless there's a threat of fire, explosion, or other life-threatening danger. If a victim is face down turn the victim face up. If a spine injury is suspected, use the Log-Roll Technique to turn the victim.
- If the victim does not respond CALL FOR MEDICAL HELP and if not breathing, send someone to get an AED and startCPR.
- If the victim responds, identify yourself as willing to assist. Find out what is wrong and take steps to help the victim. Always treat the more serious injuries first. It's important to stay calm and assure the victim while you're performing first aid measures.

Calling For Help
How you call for help should be another consideration. In most cases, the victim will need some type of emergency medical help, be it from Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), the company nurse, or a physician at the hospital. If you're not alone, tell someone else to go for medical assistance while you help the victim. In an emergency it's important to remember that every minute counts.
When alone, in certain circumstances, intervention is your priority. However, it is usually best to call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) before you intervene, especially if you witness a collapse or come across an unresponsive victim. The number varies worldwide: 911 in the USA/Canada, 999 in many other countries, including United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In Australia call 000 or 112 from all GSM mobile phones or 106 to text-based relay service. Not all areas in the USA support 911 texting. Check for changes in your area.

When you call EMS, remember that there are certain things a dispatcher will need to know in order to get help to you quickly:
- The address and location of the emergency (including cross streets and specific directions to the exact location of the emergency).
- Your name, phone number, and the number of a nearby phone.
- A description of what happened and how many people need help. (It's also a good idea to check the victim for medical information jewelry and to report findings to the dispatcher.)
- Stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you it's okay to hang up. Remain calm and listen carefully—the dispatcher may give you valuable first aid instructions for aiding the victim until help arrives.

When seconds count, an Emergency Info Sheet (EIS) is a great timesaver. Take the time now to fill in the emergency numbers. Make a copy of this call sheet and post it next to the telephones in your work area and at home. Having this information handy will help you obtain emergency medical assistance quickly.

In addition, make sure your cell phone directory includes the entry ICE (In Case of Emergency). ICE is the person you want called if you're ill or injured. Emergency personnel are trained to look for this number when they need to gather information about a victim.

Universal Precautions
Anyone involved in the care of an ill or injured person can be at risk of acquiring an infectious disease, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, acquired immune deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), or meningitis. Identifying a person as having a communicable disease can be difficult or impossible; therefore, rescuers must presume everyone is a risk. Always take protective measures to avoid coming in contact with another person's body fluids (blood, urine, sputum, secretions). Protective measures should also be taken during cleanup and disposal of materials used to care for the victim.

To reduce the risk of infection, follow these guidelines:
- Always cover all your open skin areas.
- Wear the appropriate PPE such as: gloves, mask, CPR barrier mask (when giving rescue breathing), and goggles.
- If possible, place a barrier between you and another person's body fluids.
- Minimize the splashing of body fluids.
- Wash hands (even if you were wearing gloves) and any exposed area with soap and water immediately after providing care.
- Handle sharp objects with caution.
- Wear a mask if there's a risk of exposure to airborne disease.
- Dispose of contaminated PPE in an appropriate container.

Contact your Primary Care Physician (PCP) immediately if you come in direct contact with another’s body fluids, especially if you have concerns.

Making a decision about calling for emergency medical help is usually one of the first things you do when you come upon the scene of a medical emergency. Obviously, some minor injuries may not require calling EMS or even a visit to a medical facility. 
Treatment can be given on the scene and no further medical attention will be required, unless complications arise. 

Here are some more tips about providing first aid to remember:

- A victim can be safely transported to the hospital by a co-worker or friend. However, whenever you're unsure of what to do, or feel that emergency assistance is needed, don't hesitate to call EMS.
- Giving first aid should never delay activating EMS or getting medical attention when required.
- Attention to monitoring the victim and performing CPR to the level you are trained is always important while administering first aid.
- A well-stocked first aid kit is often the key to providing the right help. Make sure your kits contain the items listed in the First Aid Kit Checklist.

Remember, Do No Further Harm 
- if you are unsure or your intervention causes pain at any time, stop.

- Check to make sure the scene is safe before you approach.
- Introduce yourself and ask for permission to help.
- Determine what the problem is and what type of help is needed.
- Call EMS if someone is seriously ill, injured or you are unsure of what to do.