Queensway Medical Centre

What To Do In An Emergency

CALL AN AMBULANCE

DO NOT MOVE THE PATIENT IF

• You think there may be a back or neck injury or any other injury that could be made worse by movement
• The person is in shock
• The person has breathing problems
• The person has severe chest pains

IF THE PATIENT IS NOT SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED

• Take the patient directly to the accident department of the nearest hospital

WHEN TO SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION

• Head injuries
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe bleeding, chest or stomach pains
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Choking

RECOVERY POSITION

If the patient is unconscious but breathing

• Turn them on their side
• Check airway is open by lifting their chin and tilting the head back slightly

HOW TO RECOGNISE SEVERE CHEST PAIN OR A HEART ATTACK

• Vice-like pain in the middle of the chest, often spreading down the left arm and jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden faintness or giddiness
• Grey pallor to the skin
• Lips look blue

WHAT TO DO IF THE PAIN DOES NOT EASE

• Ring 999
• Make the patient comfortable
  

HOW TO RECOGNISE MEDICAL SHOCK

• Patient becomes pale, sweaty, drowsy and confused
  

IF CONSCIOUS

• Seek urgent medical help
• Reassure the patient
• Do not give anything to eat or drink
  

IF UNCONSCIOUS BUT BREATHING

• Place in recovery position
  

BURNS

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.