You cannot predict a medical emergency, but you can be well-versed in the act of saving a person’s life cometh the hour.
You can increase a person’s chances of survival during a life-threatening medical event by familiarizing yourself with how to use an AED, administer first aid, perform the Heimlich maneuver, and give life-saving medications like naloxone.
When one encounters a medical emergency, it is easily assumed help will come along to save the person in danger – but sometimes that doesn’t happen.
So, its better that every person knows some key actions that can help them respond to emergencies and save a life.
#1 First and foremost, if you ever witness someone critical, call emergency medical services right then and there.
#2 CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation can help someone suffering a cardiac arrest by manually compressing the chest to pump blood to vital organs.
#3 Recognize a stroke through common, visible signs like droopy face on one side, difficulty speaking, trouble seeing, sudden numbness or weakness of the face, and trouble walking – call for emergency help immediately
#4 Use AED or automated external defibrillator to give electric shock to revive a person’s heart before emergency services arrive.
#5 If you find a person choking to death, perform the Heimlich maneuver – wrap your arms around from behind, clasp your hands together and administer multiple upward thrusts toward the belly button until they cough out the object. (use this approach only on adults)
#6 If someone is suffering from severe allergic reaction medical urgency, it might lead to death from anaphylaxis – a timely injection of the drug epinephrine can potentially save their life.
#7 If you find someone unable to breathe, perform specific maneuvers like “head tilt-chin lift” by pushing back on the person’s forehead while gently pulling their chin upwards, helping prevent their tongue from blocking their airway.
#8 You can stop severe bleeding medical emergency with the right amount of pressure to prevent hypovolemic shock where the heart is unable to pump enough blood through the body.
#9 If you find someone having a seizure, place them on their side to prevent aspiration where one accidentally inhales foreign objects, like food or vomit, into the windpipe.
#10 Administer naloxone if you see someone having an opioid overdose emergency ( Signs include a limp body, shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, pale skin, slowed heart rate, and unresponsiveness), and call EMS asap.
