Handling Medical Emergencies RIT Club Sports Dr. Mayer, SHC Physician Tim Keady, Associate Director Student Wellness

Club First Aid The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with the fundamental tools necessary to assist your teammates in need of medical attention. These fundamental tools include knowledge of the Emergency Medical Services system, resources available on campus, and when additional help is needed.

Club First Aid Outline Types of medical emergencies Who needs an ambulance What 911 wants to know Waiting for responders Scene Control

Club First Aid When to call Use common sense If you think you need an ambulance When in doubt, call an ambulance o You don’t have to go to the hospital, but it will allow trained personnel to check things out.

Club First Aid What will want to know Location RIT o Street Addresses o Building name/number What the problem is o Conscious? Alert? Breathing? How many patients, age, sex Your name and number (in case responders can’t find you) Stay on the line and follow their instructions

Club First Aid When to call Use common sense If you think you need an ambulance When in doubt, call an ambulance o You don’t have to go to the hospital, but it will allow trained personnel to check things out.

Club First Aid Scene Control EMS will not enter a scene if they deem it unsafe o This could delay care to a critical patient Clear away people who are unnecessary. o If there is a large social gathering, end it o People who were with the patient at the time of the incident and those who have important medical info should stay Turn the lights on if possible Clear a path/room the patient is in o Give the patient privacy, and leave room for EMS gear

Club First Aid Safety Never approach a victim if you put yourself in danger Why is this person injured? o Burns? Electrocution? Chemical exposure? Call and explain what resources you need Easier to save one person than two

Club First Aid Burns Chemical burns Call for help Brush away as much as possible if dry Flush with cool water, unless the substance reacts violently

Club First Aid Heat Exhaustion/Stroke Know the signs o Heat exhaustion: Lethargic, excessive sweating, lightheaded, nausea, skin color change, dizziness, vomiting o Heat stroke: sweating stops (very serious) Call Remove from hot environment o Building/Car with A/C Cool down with water and ice o Apply cool packs to head, armpits, groin

Club First Aid Concussions Definition: o a: a condition resulting from the stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow; especially: a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function and sometimes marked by permanent damage o b: a hard blow or collision

Club First Aid Concussions If severe head trauma occurs: Keep the person still. Until medical help arrives, keep the injured person lying down and quiet, with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving the person's neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it.

Club First Aid Concussions Call 911 or your local emergency number for any of the following signs or symptoms: Severe head or facial bleeding Bleeding or fluid leakage from the nose or ears Severe headache Change in level of consciousness for more than a few seconds Black-and-blue discoloration below the eyes or behind the ears Cessation of breathing Confusion Loss of balance Weakness or an inability to use an arm or leg Unequal pupil size Slurred speech Seizures Repeated vomiting