1. Your Role in the EMS SYSTEM
Chapter 1

2. EMS- Emergency Medical Services
A network of community resources, including police, fire and medical personnel- and YOU!
Role as an EMS System
Step 1: Recognize that an emergency exists.
Step 2: Decide to act.
Step 3: Activate the EMS system.
Step 4: Give care until help takes over.

3. STEP 1: RECOGNIZE THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS
Unusual Noises
Screaming, moaning, yelling or calls for help
Breaking glass, crashing metal or screeching tires
A change in the sound made by machinery
Sudden, loud noises, such as the sound of collapsing buildings or falling ladders
Unusual silence

4. STEP 1: RECOGNIZE THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS
Unusual sights
A stopped vehicle on the roadside or a car that has run off of the road
Downed electrical wires
A person lying motionless
Spilled medication or empty container
An overturned pot in the kitchen
Sparks, smoke, or fire

5. STEP 1: RECOGNIZE THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS
Unusual Odors
Odors that are stronger than usual
Unrecognizable odors
Inappropriate odors

6. STEP 1: RECOGNIZE THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS
Unusual appearances or behaviors
Unconsciousness
Confusion, drowsiness or unusual behavior
Trouble breathing
Sudden collapse, slip or fall
Clutching the chest or throat
A person doubled over in pain
Slurred, confused or hesitant speech
Sweating for no apparent reason
Uncharacteristic skin color
Inability to move a body part

7. STEP 2: DECIDE TO ACT
The most common factors that keep people from responding are:
Panic or fear of doing something wrong
Being unsure of the person’s condition and what to do
Assuming someone else will take action
Type of injury or illness
Fear of catching a disease
Fear of being sued
Being unsure of when to call 9-1-1

8. STEP 2: DECIDE TO ACT
GOOD SAMARITAN LAW : Usually protects citizens who act the same way that a “reasonable and prudent person” would if that person were in the same situation.
Developed to encourage people to help others in emergency situations.
The person is required to use common sense and a reasonable level of skill and to give only the type of emergency care for which he or she is trained.

9. STEP 3: ACTIVATE THE EMS SYSTEM
Call or the local emergency number
Some facilities require a specific number before dialing to an outside line.
Emergency dispatcher will ask for: Phone Number, Address, Location of the emergency, and questions to determine whether you need police, fire or medical assistance.
DO NOT HANG UP before the call taker does so.

10. You should give appropriate care to an ill or injured person until:
STEP 4: GIVE CARE UNTIL HELP TAKES OVER
The American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED class will provide you with the confidence, knowledge and skills you need to give care to a person in an emergency medical situation.
You should give appropriate care to an ill or injured person until:
You see an obvious sign of life, such as breathing
Another trained responder or EMS personnel takes over
You are too exhausted to continue
The scene becomes unsafe

11. DISEASE TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION
To prevent disease transmission when giving care, follow what are known as UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS.
Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
Use protective CPR breathing barriers and gloves.
Before putting on personal protective equipment, such as gloves, cover any of your own cuts, scrapes or sores with bandages.
Do not eat, drink or touch your mouth, nose or eyes when giving care or after care.
Wash your hands with soap and running water.
Tell EMS personnel at scene or health care provider if you came into contact with an injured or ill person’s body fluids.

12. DISEASE TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION
Clean up blood or bodily fluids immediately after the scene is cleared.
Use different gloves to clean up than what you used to treat victim.
After floor is wiped up, use disinfectant to kill germs.
½ cup of Bleach and Clean Water
Dispose of contaminated materials used to treat victim and clean up in a BIOHAZARD CONTAINER.