*Recognizing a Heart Attack

 *Recognizing Other Medical Emergencies

*Calling for Medical Help...
 

What to do in a Medical Emergency

*Bleeding/Injuries/Fractures
*Chest Pain/Heart Attack/Breathing Problems
*Convulsions/Seizures
*Choking/Airway Obstructions
*Ingestion Poisoning
*Serious Burns

Recognizing a Heart Attack

Delay can prove deadly!  When someone suffers a heart attack, minutes ---  specially the first few minutes --- are very important.  The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort, often described as uncomfortable pressure, fullness, or squeezing.  The pain is often located in the center of the chest under the breastbone but may also start in or spread to either shoulder or arm, neck or lower jaw.  The pain may remain constant or it may come and go.

Other signs of a possible heart attack include:
•Sweating 
•Nausea 
•Difficulty breathing 
•Lightheadedness 
•Dizziness 
•Fainting 


Recognizing Other Medical Emergencies...

Know which symptoms to watch for.  The warning signs of a medical emergency are:
•Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
•Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure 
•Fainting 
•Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision 
•Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion or difficulty waking up) 
•Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body 
•Bleeding that won't stop 
•Severe or continuous vomiting 
•Coughing up or vomiting blood 
•Suicidal or homicidal feelings 


Calling for Medical Help...

Emergency Number: 9-1-1 for Ambulance, Fire or Police
•Stay calm and dial 9-1-1 
•Stay on the line and answer all questions 
•Follow the directions of the 9-1-1 operator 
•If possible, send someone outside to direct the ambulance 

What to do in a Medical Emergency

Bleeding/Injuries/Fractures
•Call 9-1-1 first 
•Control bleeding by pressing on the wound with a clean cloth 
•Keep the person lying down 
•If you suspect fractures or back injury, do not move the victim 


Chest Pain/Heart Attack/Breathing Problems
•Call 9-1-1 first 
•Keep person comfortable 
•If victim is not breathing, perform CPR if you are trained 


Convulsions/Seizures
•Do not restrain person 
•Call 9-1-1 
•Protect person from harm 
•Turn person on side after seizure stops to allow drainage from the mouth 


Choking/Airway Obstructions
•Call 9-1-1 first. 
•If person cannot speak or cough, perform Heimlich 
Maneuver if you are trained 
•If airway clears, keep victim calm until the ambulance arrives 


Ingestion Poisoning
•Give nothing by mouth 
•Call Poison Control Center, 1-800-336-6997
•If directed, call 9-1-1 


Serious Burns
•Remove source of the burn 
•Call 9-1-1 
•Cover area lightly with thick 
layers of clean cloth 


If you live in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State and would like to  receive phone stickers by mail...

Call ALAMO EMS (845) 471-6618