What To Do In An Emergency
CALL
AN AMBULANCE
DO
NOT MOVE THE PATIENT IF
- You think there may
be a back or neck injury or any other injury that could be made
worse by movement
- The person is in shock
- The person has breathing
problems
- The person has severe
chest pains
IF
THE PATIENT IS NOT SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED
- Take the patient directly
to the accident department of the nearest hospital
WHEN
TO SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION
- Head injuries
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe bleeding, chest
or stomach pains
- Broken or dislocated
bones
- Choking
RECOVERY
POSITION
If the patient is unconscious but breathing
- Turn them on their side
- Check airway is open
by lifting their chin and tilting the head back slightly
HOW TO RECOGNISE SEVERE CHEST PAIN OR A HEART ATTACK
- Vice-like pain in the
middle of the chest, often spreading down the left arm and jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden faintness or
giddiness
- Grey pallor to the skin
- Lips look blue
WHAT
TO DO IF THE PAIN DOES NOT EASE
- Ring 999
- Make the patient comfortable
HOW
TO RECOGNISE MEDICAL SHOCK
- Patient becomes pale,
sweaty, drowsy and confused
IF
CONSCIOUS
- Seek urgent medical
help
- Reassure the patient
- Do not give anything
to eat or drink
IF
UNCONSCIOUS BUT BREATHING
- Place in recovery position
BURNS
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as
possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as
long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose,
dry dressing. If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the
skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
In a dental emergency please
contact your dentist first. An emergency dental service is available at
Queen Alexandra Hospital on Saturday mornings, Sunday mornings and Bank Holidays
between 9.00 and 11.30am. For information call 0845 050 8345.
