How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 2 of 2

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Ernest Rosenbaum, MD

Ernest Rosenbaum, MD, is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San...read more

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Supportive Homecare

How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 2 of 2

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When an emergency arises, you (principally the family members) can deal with it most effectively by following these three principles:

1. Stay calm

2. Determine the exact nature of the problem as best you can and call for help

3. Take appropriate action while waiting for help to arrive

Staying Calm

Staying calm is essential, so that you quickly obtain the right kind of help, and determine what you can do personally for the person in distress. It will help you to stay calm if you are ready at all times with a list of emergency telephone numbers and the self-help card described above. Remember that help is always available and usually will arrive within a few minutes of your emergency phone call.

Determining the Problem and Calling for Help

The specific problems to look for are:

1. Pulse Rate. Is it fast, slow, or irregular?

2. Breathing problems. Is the patient gasping for breath or short of breath?

3. Is there a new or sudden increase in pain? Is the patient complaining of pain in the chest, abdomen, an arm or leg, or the body in general?

4. Is there a change in mental state? Is the patient unconscious or lightheaded? Is there numbness, an inability to walk or talk? Is an arm or leg suddenly weak or immobile?

5. Is there severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?

6. Are there injuries from a fall, burn or other accident?

You must determine if the symptoms and/or injuries require immediate help. If you believe the situation to be an emergency, call 911 at once! The more quickly help is obtained, the better the chances for recovery.

Taking Appropriate Action

The final principle is to take appropriate action while help is on the way. There are several kinds of appropriate action you can take. In certain situations, they may save a life. What you must do depends on the type of emergency you are dealing with. The most common emergencies are:

Cardio Pulmonary Emergencies
Choking
Breathing Problems
Bleeding
Broken Bones or Falls

One of the best ways to train yourself to deal with these and other emergency situations is to take one of the many first aid courses offered by the Red Cross and other organizations in your community.

Remember to keep your emergency telephone numbers handy, and don't delay calling for help if an emergency arises. When in doubt, call 911! It would be better for the doctor or paramedic to find the situation not as serious as you thought, than for you to hesitate calling and possibly risk the life of someone you love.

Read Part 1 of How to Deal with Emergencies at Home

Posted in Emergencies, How to Care for Someone at Home, Supportive Homecare