Recognising an emergency
It is normal to feel hesitant and unsure about what to do.
Simple actions can help save a life.
Good Samaritan laws help protect people who voluntarily give care.
Always obtain consent.
Consent is implied when the person is unconscious
or unable to respond, confused, mentally impaired, seriously injured or
seriously ill, or the person is a minor with a life-threatening condition
and a parent or guardian is not present.
Give emergency care according to your level of training.
Risk of disease transmission in medical emergencies is very low.
Whenever possible, however, use barriers and other protective measures to
protect yourself as well as the injured or ill person.
Your own thoughts and experiences on barriers to act are important and you
are not alone. Everyone encounters barriers to act before deciding to help
Choking
Asthma
Choking
•Incomplete:
•Can
still get air (making noise)
•Encourage
to cough it up
•Complete:
•No
noise, may go unconscious
•Back
slaps (5)
•Between
shoulder blades
•Abdominal
thrusts (5)
•Pushing
upward on diaphragm
•Between
each cycle check for obstruction and clear if possible.
Asthma
•Condition
where lungs spasm and airways narrow
•Signs:
wheezing, prolonged exhale, coughing, difficulty talking
•Treatment:
•Keep
them calm
•Use
BLUE inhaler
•Try
to breathe slowly and deeply
•Get
medical treatment
Hyperventilation
•Can
be linked to Panic attack
•Fast
breathing, dizziness, feeling faint, tremors
•Treatment:
•Remove
the stressor
•Remain
calm, encourage them to be calm
•Take
them somewhere quiet, and encourage slow deep breaths
•Focus
on slow breathing using counted breaths, breathing through a tube, breathing
with you.
Anaphylaxis
•Systemic
allergy which causes airway to swell shut
•Impaired
breathing, blotchy rash, anxiety, swelling
•Treatment:
•Epi
Pen: if they have one, have them administer it
•Immediate
medical care
CPR Review
•Check
for Danger and Response
•Head
tilt chin lift
•Look
Listen and feel
•Landmark:
Centre of chest, even with nipple line
•Heel
of hands, straight arms
•30
compressions, 2 breaths
•Push
to the beat of Stayin’ Alive
•Adults:
Call EMS right away
•Children:
5 minutes of CPR first, then call (or get bystander to call if not alone ASAP)
