Below you will find some basic guidelines to help you help yourself and others during a medical crisis. The information presented here is to be used as an introduction to First Aid. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice and care, treatment by trained emergency personnel, or first aid and CPR training. If you are in a life- or limb-threatening emergency, CALL FOR MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.
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- Remain calm, be aware of your surroundings, and closely evaluate the scene to protect yourself and others from further injury.
- Do not move a critically injured person unless instructed by emergency medical professionals.
- Do not try to drive someone who is critically ill or injured to a hospital unless there is no way to summon emergency help.
Call 911 or ask someone else to call:
– If you think there is a medical emergency,
– If the crisis could get worse left untreated or not treated properly.
Listen carefully to the 911 dispatcher’s questions. Answer them calmly and quickly.
Remain on the line until the dispatcher tells you it’s okay to hang up.
Ask someone to wait outside to meet emergency personnel if it is safe to do so.
Paramedics may want to know a brief summary of the circumstances that caused the emergency. Remain calm and cooperative as they gather information.
NOTE: Information here and in the links within this section is not a substitute for professional medical advice and care, treatment by trained emergency personnel, or first aid and CPR training. If you believe a life- or limb-threatening emergency exists, CALL FOR MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.