Medical Emergencies: How to Deal With Them Till Help Arrives?

Common Medical Emergencies and How to Deal With Them

Here are some of the most common emergencies you’ll encounter and how to deal with them for maximum effect:

1. Heart Attack

Identification

Recognizing a heart attack is the first crucial step in providing aid. Look out for symptoms such as persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, and discomfort radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. If you suspect a heart attack:

1. Call for Emergency Services: Dial 112 or your local emergency number immediately.

2. Stay Calm and Reassure: Keep the person calm, and reassure them that help is on the way.

First Aid

While waiting for professional help, you can take the following actions:

1. Help the Person Sit or Lie Down: Make the person as comfortable as possible.

2. Administer Aspirin: If available and the person is not allergic, provide aspirin to chew, as it may help thin the blood.

3. Perform CPR if Necessary: If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, initiate CPR until professional help arrives.

2. Choking

Identification

Choking occurs when the airway is blocked. Look for signs such as clutching the throat, inability to speak, and struggling to breathe. If someone is choking:

1. Encourage Coughing: If the person can still cough, encourage them to do so.

2. Call for Emergency Services: If coughing is ineffective, call for help.

First Aid

3. Perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre: Stand behind the person, wrap your arms around their waist, and perform abdominal thrusts to dislodge the object.

4. Check the Mouth for Obstructions: If the person becomes unresponsive, check the mouth for any visible obstructions and remove them.

5. Administer CPR if Necessary: If the person is not breathing, start CPR until professional help arrives.

3. Stroke

Identification

Recognizing the signs of a stroke is critical for timely intervention. Look for facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech. If you suspect a stroke:

1. Call for Emergency Services: Dial 112 immediately.

2. Note the Time: Make a note of when the symptoms began, as this information is crucial for medical professionals.

First Aid

3. Keep the Person Calm: Try to keep the person calm and reassure them.

4. Assist with Sitting Up: If conscious, help the person sit up with support.

5. Monitor Vital Signs: Keep an eye on their vital signs while waiting for professional help.

4. Seizure

Identification

Seizures can be frightening, but knowing how to identify and respond to them is essential. Look for uncontrolled movements and loss of consciousness. If someone is having a seizure:

1. Clear the Area: Remove any objects that could pose a danger during the seizure.

2. Time the Duration: Note the duration of the seizure.

First Aid

3. Protect from Injury: Place the person on their side to prevent choking and protect them from injury.

4. Do Not Restrain Movements: Allow the seizure to run its course without restraining the person.

5. Stay with the Person: Stay with the person until the seizure ends, and they regain consciousness.

5. Allergic Reactions

Identification

Allergic responses vary in intensity, spanning from slight to intense. Be vigilant for indications like hives, swelling, and respiratory distress. If an allergic reaction is occurring:

1. Apply Epinephrine Smoothly: If an auto-injector of epinephrine is at hand, employ it promptly.

2. Call Emergency Assistance: Dial 112 or the pertinent local emergency line.

First Aid

3. Support the Person: Help the person get into a comfortable position.

4. Observe Vital Indicators: Keep watch over their essential signs.

5. Apply More Epinephrine if Required: If symptoms endure or intensify, administer extra doses of epinephrine if accessible.

6. Breathing Difficulties (e.g., Asthma Attack)

Identification

Recognizing signs of breathing difficulties, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, is crucial. If someone is experiencing breathing difficulties:

1. Assist with Using Inhaler: Help the person use their prescribed inhaler if available.

2. Call for Emergency Services: If symptoms persist, call for professional help.

First Aid

3. Assist with Inhaler Use: Help the person use their inhaler as prescribed.

4. Encourage Sitting Upright: Encourage the person to sit upright and remain calm.

5. Monitor Breathing: Keep an eye on their breathing and provide reassurance.

Basic First Aid Techniques

Here are some basic first aid techniques that you have to know before emergency medical services arrive:

1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): 

   1. Hands-only CPR: Administer chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

   2. CPR for Infants and Children: Adjust techniques for smaller bodies, ensuring gentle but effective chest compressions.

2. Heimlich Manoeuvre for Choking: Follow the appropriate procedure for the victim's age and size, delivering abdominal thrusts to dislodge the obstruction.

3. Assessing and Managing Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the wound using a sterile bandage or cloth. Elevate the injured limb if possible to minimise blood flow.

4. Providing Initial Care for Burns and Scalds: Cool the affected area with running water for at least 10 minutes. Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick bandage.

5. Handling Fractures and Sprains: Immobilise the injured area using a splint or bandage. Keep the victim as comfortable as possible while awaiting professional medical assistance.

6. Administering Epinephrine for Severe Allergic Reactions: For individuals with known severe allergies, use an epinephrine auto-injector promptly. Seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Conclusion

During medical emergencies, quick and informed responses matter significantly. Understanding how to identify and provide initial aid before emergency medical services arrive for prevalent emergencies such as heart attacks, choking, strokes, seizures, allergic reactions, and breathing problems equips you to help effectively.

Keep in mind, though this guide offers vital details, it doesn't replace formal medical training. Enrol in a basic first aid course to boost your abilities and assurance when dealing with emergencies. Your capacity to remain composed, make prompt decisions, and offer effective aid can be a crucial support for someone in trouble.

If you ever face an emergency situation like the ones mentioned above, call your nearest tertiary-care hospital and ask for an ambulance immediately. Every second matters, so make it count.