Medical Emergencies
Signs/Symptoms and Treatment
Stroke
Symptoms:
- Sudden blurred, dim or patchy vision
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe, unusual headache
Treatment: Call 9-1-1 Reassure and comfort the victim
Encourage and facilitate the victim to move in to a position of comfort if possible. If they have significant paralysis, they may be unable to move themselves, so you should make them as comfortable as possible where they are. If possible, incline them to the unaffected side (if there is one), as this will help you relieve some symptoms such as a feeling of floating. Monitor ABC's.
Do not give victim anything to eat or drink
Diabetes
Cause: Low glucose, excessive exercise, too much insulin, and vomited meal
Symptoms: dizziness, confusion, clammy skin, seizures, and rapid pulse
Treatment: Notify EMS
Read blood level
Give candy juice soda
Poisoning
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Fever
Treatment:
- Ensure the scene is safe to enter
- Check for consciousness and breathing
- Care for life-threatening conditions
- Collect evidence about the possible poison ask questions if the victim is conscious
- Call the National Poison Control Center Hotline @ 1-800-222-1222
- Follow the directions given by the Poison Control dispatcher
- Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink unless instructed by the Poison Control dispatcher or EMS personnel.
- Continue to monitor ABC's and care for life threatening conditions
Bites
- Don't bother insects
- Use insect repellant
- Wear protective clothing
- Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects
Treatment:
- Wash the area well with soap and water
- Apply an ice pack or a wet compress to the area
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine, if needed
- Consider using antihistamines for severe swelling
- Seek medical treatment for small children and adults with severe symptoms (Administration of antivenin by a medical professional may be needed to prevent nerve and skin damage.)
- Monitor and treat for shock if necessary.
Stings
Symptoms: allergic reactions that can cause breathing and heart problems, as well as paralysis and death.
What to look for: ■ Possible puncture marks. ■ Pain. ■ Swelling. ■ Signs of a possible allergic reaction.
Treatment: If you know the sting is from a jelly fi sh, irrigate the injured part with large amounts of vinegar as soon as possible for at least 30 seconds. This can help to remove the tentacles and stop the injection of venom. Vinegar works best to offset the toxin, but a baking soda slurry also may be used if vinegar is not available.