Finding yourself or your loved one in a medical emergency is never a pleasant situation. There’ll be that adrenaline rush due to fear, confusion, and even a loss of ability to think clearly.
With this, it’s also not surprising how you may lose your presence of mind as to what to do next. This fact is actually the reason why it’s very important to stay calm.
Doing so gives you the opportunity to learn how to calculate what your next steps should be.
Moreover, learning what to do during a medical emergency always comes in handy, so you’re prepared for whatever may come your way.
Often, being able to respond accordingly can spell the difference between a better outcome from an emergency, and unfortunately, a poorer one.
You really don’t have to be a medical expert per se; you just need to know how to contribute actively for the medical emergency to be handled in the best possible manner.
To start, this guide gives you insights on how you should deal with a medical emergency.
1. Know More About the Warning Signs of a Medical Emergency
This first suggestion may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually a good starting point in learning how to deal with medical emergencies.
The reason behind this is that not all medical emergencies are immediately-apparent.
Some have a few warning signs, knowledge of which may help you actually prevent the situation from progressing into an even bigger emergency.
With that, you can start by getting yourself acquainted with these warning signs:
- Severe abdominal pain;
- Bleeding;
- Swallowing something poisonous;
- Breathing problems;
- Sudden dizziness and weakness;
- Confusion;
- Severe pain anywhere in the body;
- Chest pain;
- Injuries due to accidents, drowning, fire, or a large wound;
- Vomiting blood.
Along with the signs above, there are many reputable sources like this best site online for you to read through for more medical information.
The more you know, the more equipped you’ll be to handle a medical emergency.
2. Call 911
Better be safe than sorry. 911 is there for a reason, and it’s for you to use it. Even minor medical emergencies can be answered upon by 911 such that you leave the site 100% certain that the patient is safe to go home. Or 911 has all the facilities to provide first aid care on the way to the hospital.
3. Stay Calm
Staying calm enables you to think more clearly and make better decisions. Moreover, you don’t increase the chance of making the emergency even worse because of panic.
It’s normal to feel anxious, given the alarming state of a medical emergency. However, you need to be calm to ask for help. Talk clearly to the medics so they know how to respond and what to expect from the emergency.
4. To Keep a First Aid Kit at Home and at Work
This next tip is a proactive measure for dealing with medical emergencies. When something bad happens at home or in the workplace, it’s a plus to have a first aid kit ready.
While you can’t give a full-blown medical treatment, at least you can provide temporary care and remedy with the instructions of the medical responders you’re talking to on the phone.
For example, learning how to safely do a tourniquet may help stop or at least lessen excessive bleeding. Your first aid kit will usually contain basic medication and creams. Keep it safely tucked out of reach from pets and children.
Along with having a first aid kit at home, it’s also a prudent move, especially for parents with young children who are so prone to accidents, to learn basic first aid courses.
Contact your local Red Cross office or other medical institutions, as there may be seminars and training you could attend.
5. Always Check on the Injured Person
Once you’ve called 911, you can rest assured that help is on the way as fast as possible. However, this isn’t an excuse for you to leave the patient.
You may have been asked not to move them but always stay by their side.
It’s important for you to check on the injured person as frequently as possible so you can be sure that their vital signs aren’t getting weak. Look for any signs of struggle or labored breathing. Check the pulse.
That way, should they seem to be getting worse, you can call the emergency responders again to give them a timely update while they’re on their way.
This gives them an opportunity to lay out instructions for you, to prevent the situation from worsening even more.
6. Invest In Medical Insurance
If you don’t have medical insurance yet, then this should be a wake-up call for you to invest in one. No one knows when an emergency will occur.
A part of the preparation entails having enough financial resources to cover the medical expenses that’ll arise.
Having medical insurance can allow the patient to focus on their recovery, as they won’t have to worry about the bills.
The bigger the emergency, the higher the out-of-pocket expenses may be, some even to the point of draining their savings account.
Once you have a health insurance policy, be sure to bring the card with you all the time. Hospitals will need that so they’ll know which company to call to cover your bills.
7. Bring Medical and Health Records When Traveling
Even if your destination is only in the next state, you may want to pack your health records with you.
This makes it easier for medical responders to know more about your medical and health history in case of an emergency.
Furthermore, those medical records are a must-have, especially when traveling with children, the elderly, or sick individuals.
Those comprise the group of immunocompromised individuals where the risk of emergencies may be higher.
Better and more accurate care can be provided, right there and then, with your medical records.
The nurses and doctors will automatically know if you have certain underlying conditions, allergies to medicines, or other health concerns which may be linked to the emergency.
Final Thoughts
With the insights above, you should now be more equipped to take action and deal with a medical emergency in the best way.
With all the tips above, the most important thing to remember is to always call the help of emergency medical responders.
If you’re unsure what to do, this isn’t the right occasion to waste time and do a trial and error, particularly when the emergency may be grave.
At the very best, you can help with the emergency while waiting for the medics to come, so the patient isn’t placed in an even more dangerous situation.