Taking Action in Emergency Situations Check, Call, Care

Check Check the scene and the person.

When Checking… Is it safe? Check for spilled chemicals, traffic, fire, escaping steam, downed electrical lines, smoke, or extreme weather. If these conditions exist and have potential to cause you injury or harm do not go near the ill or injured person. Do Call 9-1-1

When Checking… What Happened How many people are involved? Look for clues to what caused the emergency and how the person might be injured. How many people are involved? You may need to ask for help from bystanders.

When Checking… Is there immediate danger involved? Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is an immediate danger involved. What are some immediate dangers? Is anyone else available to help? People surrounding may not always be helping. Try to determine what is wrong?

Call An adult is defined as someone about 12 years of age or older. Someone between 1-12 is considered a child. Someone less than one year is considered an infant. If you are the first person at the scene of an emergency what should you do first?

Shout If no one arrives you will have to decide whether to call or care first.

You should always call first for… An unconscious adult or adolescent. (age 12 years or older) A witnessed sudden collapse of a child or infant. An unconscious infant or child known to be at high risk for heart problems. These are usually cardiac problems.

You should care first for… An unwitnessed collapse of an unconscious person younger than about 12 years of age. Any victim of a drowning In care first situations the conditions are often related to breathing emergencies, rather than sudden cardiac arrest. These situations provide support for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (abc’s) through rescue breaths or chest compressions.

Care Once you have checked the scene and the person and made a decision about calling 9-1-1, you may need to give care until EMS personnel arrive These are some general guidelines: Do no further harm. Monitor the persons breathing and consciousness. Help the person rest in the most comfortable position. Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated. Reassure the person. Give any specific care needed.

Transporting the Person Yourself In some cases you may decide to take the ill or injured person to a hospital yourself instead of waiting. Be sure you know the quickest route. Ask someone to come with you to comfort the victim as you drive. However, never transport a person if… The trip may aggravate the injury or illness or cause additional injury. When the person has or may develop a life-threatening condition. If you are unsure of the nature of the injury or illness.

Emergency Moves to Transport a Victim Use your legs, not your back, when you bend. Bend at the knees and hips and avoid twisting your body. Walk forward when possible, taking small steps and looking where you going. Avoid twisting or bending anyone with a possible head, neck or back injury. Do not move a person who is too large to move comfortably.

Walking Assist Most basic way to move someone. Place the injured persons arm across your shoulders. Put your hand around their waist. Support the persons body weight while walking.

Pack-Strap Carry Can be used for unconscious and conscious people. Position yourself with your back to the person with knees bent, so that your shoulders fit into the persons armpits. Cross the person’s arms in front of you. Lean forward- lifting the person on your back. Stand up and walk to safety.

Two Person Seat Carry Used for someone conscious and not seriously injured. Place one arm behind the persons thigh and the other behind their back. Interlock your arms with a second person. Lift the person in the “seat” that you create.

Clothes Drag/ Foot Drag Clothes Drag- can be used for someone suspected of having a head, neck or back injury. This keeps the body stabilized. Grasp the person’s clothing behind the neck. Using a firm grip, pull the person (head first) to safety. Foot Drag is used for people too large for you to carry or move. ( grasp ankles)

Blanket Drag A blanket can be used to move a person when equipment is limited. Keep the person between you and the blanket. Gather half the blanket and place it on the person’s side. Roll the person as a unit toward you. Reach over and place the blanket so that it will be positioned under the person, then roll the person onto the blanket. Gather the blanket at the head and move the person.

Develop A Plan of Action