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Emergency & First Aid

What Is a Medical Emergency?

A medical emergency means death or serious harm could result without prompt care. Warning signs of a medical emergency include:

1. •Any heart attack warning sign.
   

2. •Any stroke warning sign.
   

3. •A hard time breathing or shortness of breath. Not being able to say 4 or 5 words between breaths.
   

4. •Fainting. Loss of consciousness.
   

5. •Change in mental status, such as unusual behavior or confusion.
   

6. •Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.
   

7. •Bleeding that won’t stop.
   

8. •Vomiting that is severe or that persists.
   

9. •Coughing up or vomiting blood.
   

10. •Suicide attempts or gestures. Making plans for suicide. Repeated thoughts of suicide.
    

Being Ready for Medical Emergencies

1. •Learn basic first-aid skills. Take courses in CPR and first aid. These give hands-on practice in giving first aid and CPR the right way. Find out about them from your local Red Cross, police and/or fire department, etc.
   

2. •Find out what services your health plan covers and what steps you have to take to get emergency costs paid for.
   

3. •Carry the following information with you at all times:
   

4. •Your name, address, phone number, and the person to contact if you need emergency care.
   

5. •Your health insurance information.
   

6. •Important medical information. This could be on a medical alert tag, on a wallet card, or on the back of your driver’s license. Have a list of medications, their dosages, and things you are allergic to.
   

7. •Emergency telephone numbers. (Post these near phones, too.)
   

8. •Read Emergency Procedures and Emergency Conditions / First Aid to learn what to do for conditions that need emergency medical care and/or first aid.
   

First-Aid Kit

Keep first-aid supplies handy, but out of children’s reach. Carry a first-aid kit in the car (or boat, wrapped in a waterproof container), as well as in the house. Campers, bikers, hikers, and persons who spend time in remote areas should take a first-aid kit with them. Once a year, check supplies for expiration dates. Restock items when they are used up or when expiration dates have passed. {Note: See also Be Prepared for Disasters & Threats.}

First-Aid Supplies & Medicines

1. •Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.
   

2. •Adhesive bandages of different sizes.
   

3. •Antibiotic ointment.
   

4. •Antidiarrheal medicine.
   

5. •Antihistamine tablets or syrup.
   

6. •Antiseptic ointment or wipes.
   

7. •Calibrated medicine spoon & dropper (for kids).
   

8. •Cold pack.
   

9. •Cotton-tipped swabs.
   

10. •Elastic wrap and closures.
    

11. •Flashlight and extra batteries.
    

12. •Hydrocortisone ointment.
    

13. •Safety pins.
    

14. •Scissors.
    

15. •Sterile gauze pads, a roll of gauze, and tape.
    

16. •Sterile nonstick dressings.
    

17. •Sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher).
    

18. •Tweezers.
    

Add Extra Items for a Car or Boat

1. •Clean, folded sheet. Blanket.
   

2. •Large flashlight. Extra batteries. Flares. Rope.
   

3. •Plastic bottle of water, tightly capped.
   

4. •Protective clothing and footwear.