RECOGNIZING MAJOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Prepared by Marilyn RauschIndiana State Association DAT Program

Introduction

Disaster Awareness begins at home…

We need to recognize impending problems in ourselves.

We need to recognize impending problems in others.

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A REMINDER…IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AVAILABLE

• Names of all your MEDS (Rx & OTC)

• Names and phone numbers of your DOCTORS

• List of ALLERGIES

• Name and number of CONTACT PERSON

KEEP IN REFRIGERATOR OR BEHIND DRIVER’S LICENSE!!

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

An Overview

First steps in Basic Life Support

Recognizing conditions and

needed first steps

Strokes.

Heart attacks.

Diabeti

c Emergencies

Falls

Use of an Automatic External Defibrillator

(AED)

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

An Overview of this Discussion

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

First Steps: Basic life support.

Identifying conditions and taking first steps.

Strokes

Heart Attacks

Diabetic Emergencies

Falls

Use of an Automatic External Defibrillator.

INITIAL STEPS IN BASIC LIFE

SUPPORT

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

Initial Steps in Basic Life Support

AssessThe

Situation

CALL FOR HELP.

AssessRescuer Safety

ABCs

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

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Assess the Situation

View area… are there hazards to your safety

(fire, downed power lines, moving traffic, etc.)

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Ask the victim: “Are you okay?”

CALL FOR HELP

Shout out loud “I need help.”

Use Cell phone to call 911.

Leave scene to get to telephone.

Send someone to get help.Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

ABCDs

A Open Airway

B Breathing

C Maintain Circulation

D Defibrillate (AED)

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OPEN AIRWAY

Align head and shoulders UNLESS possible neck injury.

Head tilt or Chin Thrust.

Clear Vomit or other foreign body from mouth.

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Breathing

Watch for rise and fall of chest.

Place cheek next to nose to see if air is felt.

If not, hold victim’s nose closed, place barrier over mouth and give two breaths.

Heimlich maneuver if necessary.

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Circulation

Feel for a pulse at the carotid artery.

If none is felt, begin chest compressions.

If AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) is available, prepare to use it as directed.

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QUESTIONS?

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

MAJOR MEDICAL

EMERGENCIES

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Major Medical Emergencies

Recognizing possible stroke.

Recognizing possible Heart Attack.

Recognizing Diabetic Emergencies.

FallsIndiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

STROKE

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

STROKE

Early recognition is essential.

To limit brain damage, treatment needs to begin within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

STROKE:quick evaluation

Symmetry of smile. “Show me your teeth.”

Clarity of speech. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

“Pronator Drift”. Hold arms out at shoulder height with palms up and eyes closed. It is not normal if one arm drifts downward.

Any localized areas of weakness, numbness.

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STROKE:what to do

Waste no time.

Call 911.

ABCDs

If possible, get bottles of all medications to take to emergency room

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QUESTIONS?

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

HEART ATTACK

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HEART ATTACK:classic signs

Pain, pressure or heaviness under the breastbone.

Radiation of pain into the neck, back, or arms.

Shortness of Breath

Sweating for no apparent reason.

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HEART ATTACK:not so classic signs

More common in WOMEN.

Sudden and severe fatigue.

Non-classic location of pain (stomach, back, jaw or neck)

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HEART ATTACK:what to do first

Call 911 (do not wait to see if the symptoms will “go away”.)

Aspirin (one regular or 4 baby aspirin chewed)

ABCDs

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QUESTIONS?

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DIABETIC EMERGENCI

ES

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DIABETIC EMERGENCIES: signs of low blood sugar

Confusion, irritability, aggressiveness

Weakness, dizziness Pale, cold, clammy or sweating Rapid pulse. Poor coordination, staggering. Headache, Nausea, Vomiting Seizures Loss of Consciousness.

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DIABETIC EMERGENCIES: what to do first

ABCDs

If conscious, give some form of sugar: Juice with added sugar, Honey, Regular (not diet) soft drink, Glucose tablets.

If unconscious, place sugar or honey under tongue.

Call 911Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

QUESTIONS?

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FALLS

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FALLS If over 65, most common injury causing

hospitalization and long-term disability. More common if on more than 4

medications, or had been hospitalized in last year.

More common in those with other long-term health conditions… stroke, heart problems, problems with balance or gait.

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FALLS:Best treatment is prevention

Good lighting.

Avoid clutter (toys, scatter rugs, electric cords, etc.)

Hand rails or other steadying objects.

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FALLS:what to do first

Let them lay.

If serious fall, Call 911.

If unconscious, do ABCD’s

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REVIEW

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

REVIEW

Have some idea of basic life support.

If possible, contact your local Red Cross to take a basic Life Support course (usually 4-8 hours to get certification.)

If available, know where AEDs are located.

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RECOGNIZE POSSIBLE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

STROKES

HEART ATTACKS

DIABETIC EMERGENCIES

FALLS

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FIRST STEPS

CALL FOR HELP

DON’T DELAY CALLING 911, even if the symptoms seem mild. Waiting to see if things “get better” may result in tragedy.

ABCDs

Be ready to help, but DON’T BECOME A VICTIM YOURSELF!

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AEDautomated external defibrillator

Analyzes heart rhythm.

Recognizes shockable rhythm.

Advises operator whether rhythm should be shocked.

Delivers a shock ONLY if it is indicatedIndiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

UNIVERSAL AED STEPS

POWER ON the AED first.

ATTACH the AED to the victim’s chest with electrode pads

ANALYZE the rhythm.

SHOCK if indicated

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While first rescuer begins ABCDs, second gets AED and places it to victim’s left side.

AED should be turned ON before attaching to victim

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ATTACH the AED pads to the patient’s bare chest.

Follow the directions that are listed on the pads themselves.

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Operator “clears” the victim. (No one should be touching the victim.)

Operator pushes “ANALYZE” button on AED.

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CLEAR

The AED will indicate verbally and in writing if a shock is indicated.

If a shock is indicated, CLEAR the patient again and push SHOCK button.

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NO SHOCK WILL BE DELIVERED IF IT IS NOT

INDICATED

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Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program

If NO SHOCK is indicated

Check for signs of circulation (pulse).

If present, Check breathing… assist if necessary.

If not present, continue CPR for 1 minute

Then Reanalyze with AED.

QUESTIONS?

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THE END

Indiana State Association FCRV DAT Program