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Medical Emergencies

Basic Medical Emergency Information

  • In the event of a medical emergency keep calm, act immediately.
  • Check the scene for safety. Check the victim for consciousness, breathing, pulse, and severe bleeding. Assist victims and remove them from hazards if injuries are minor. Do not move seriously injured victims unless they are in danger of further injury.
  • Notify persons in adjacent areas of potential hazards.
  • Care for life-threatening conditions if you have the proper training. If there is no life threatening condition, provide first aid if you have the proper training: and
    • Watch for changes in breathing and consciousness;
    • Help the victim rest comfortably;
    • Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated; and
    • Reassure the victim.
  • Summon medical help. If possible, do not leave victims alone.
    • First, activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911 from any on-campus, off-campus, or cell phone.
    • Second, call the University Police at EXT. 3103.
  • Let the Emergency Medical System and University Police know if the victim:
    • Is unconscious;
    • Has trouble breathing;
    • Has chest pain or pressure;
    • Is bleeding severely;
    • Has pressure or pain in the abdomen that does not go away;
    • Is vomiting or passing blood;
    • Has a seizure;
    • Has a severe headache or slurred speech;
    • Appears to have been poisoned;
    • Has injuries to the head, neck, or back; or
    • Has possible broken bones.
  • Be prepared to give the following information: what happened, number of victims, kind of injury, exact location of the emergency, what help is being given, and your name and phone number.
  • Do not transport seriously injured persons to the hospital and do not hang up until the dispatcher hangs up.

Specific Emergency Procedures

Inhalation Exposure

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Check the scene to make sure it is safe to enter.
  • Remove the victim as quickly as possible to fresh air if it can be done safely.
  • Never enter a confined space to attempt a rescue.
  • Keep the victim at rest and warm.
  • If the patient is unconscious, keep the airway clear.
  • Start rescue breathing if breathing has stopped.
  • Do not leave unconscious victims unattended.

Skin Exposure

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Act quickly; corrosive chemicals can damage the skin very rapidly.
  • If only a small area of the skin is exposed, flood promptly with water and wash gently with soap.
  • Go to the nearest emergency shower and flood with large amounts of water for 15 minutes if large areas of the skin are involved.
  • Remove clothing while standing in the shower.
  • If chemicals are splashed on the head, eye protective equipment should be left on until the chemical has been washed away.
  • Do not use chemical neutralizers on the skin.

Eye Exposure

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • If a chemical is splashed into the eye, go immediately to the nearest eye wash fountain.
  • Spread the eyelid open with the fingers and wash the eye for at least 15 minutes.
  • Flood all surfaces of the eye and the underside of the eyelids with water.
  • If no eye wash station is available, lay the victim on his/her back, turn the head, and pour water into the eye, directing the stream to the side of the head.
  • Do not attempt to remove foreign objects from the eye, cover the eye with a sterile pad and seek medical care immediately.

Poisoning

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by Calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222, describe any containers or substances found at scenes, and follow their instructions.
  • Care for shock and monitor breathing while waiting for emergency help.
  • Do not give anything by mouth unless instructed to do so by medical professionals.

External Bleeding

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911 if the wound is serious, then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Put on a pair of latex gloves.
  • Cover wound with dressing and press firmly against the wound with your hand.
  • Elevate the wound above the level of the victim’s heart if the bleeding does not stop and the wound does not involve a broken bone.
  • Apply a pressure bandage snugly over the wound.
  • If bleeding doesn't stop, apply additional dressings; do not remove blood soaked bandages.
  • Squeeze the artery against the bone.
  • Remove foreign materials from small cuts and carefully wash with soap and water, apply an antiseptic and bandage.
  • For minor wounds, patients may be transported to the Health Center at their request during those times the Health Center is open. Calls should be placed to the Health Center before transporting patients there to ensure the Health Center is open and the injury can be treated there.

Shock

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Victims may go into shock following severe injuries. Shock is life threatening.
  • Signs of shock include extreme paleness, cold and clammy skin, perspiration on the fore-head or hands, weakness, nausea, vomiting, shallow breathing and a weak rapid pulse.
    • Have the victim lie down.
    • Control external bleeding
    • Maintain normal body temperature.
    • If there are no head or neck injuries elevate the legs about 12 inches.
    • Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink.

Cryogenic Burns (Super cooled Liquids)

  • For short contact, immediately flush the area with large quantities of water.
  • For prolonged exposure or if visible tissue damage is apparent, activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.

Fractures

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Do not move the patient unless it is necessary to prevent further injury.
  • Splint the body part if the patient must be moved and you can do it without causing more pain.
  • Check for proper circulation before and after splinting.
  • Treat for bleeding and shock.

Strains and Sprains

  • Have the victim sit or lie down and elevate the extremity.
  • Apply ice to the injured area (15-20 minutes every 1 1/2 to 2 hours).
  • Transport to local health care facilities if patients are unable to bear weight or move injured extremities. Patients may be transported to the Health Center at their request during those times the Health Center is open. Otherwise, Activate the Emergency Medical Sys-tem by calling 911. Then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.

Electrical

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Do not touch victims until they have been removed from electrical circuits.
  • Disconnect the power and cautiously remove the current source with an insulator such as a dry stick or board.
  • Do not use metal or anything that is wet.
  • Check for breathing and pulse, give appropriate supportive care until Emergency Medical System arrives and assumes care of victims.

Clothing Fire

  • Proceed to a safety shower if immediately available.
  • If not, fall to the floor and roll to smother the flames.
  • Fire blankets should only be used as a last resort, because they may hold heat in and in-crease the severity of burns.
  • Fire extinguishers should not be used on the skin because they can freeze the skin or in-crease the likelihood of infections.
  • Do not remove clothing that adheres to burnt skin.
  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.

Thermal Burns

  • Cool the burned area with large amounts of cool water.
  • Cover the burn with a dry, clean dressing.
  • Do not use ointments on a severe burn.
  • Don't apply ice to a burn unless it is very minor.
  • Watch for signs of shock.
  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103 if there is breathing difficulty, burns covering more than one body part, burns to the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, burns resulting from chemicals, explosion, or electricity.
  • For minor thermal burns, patients may be transported to the Health Center at their request during those times the Health Center is open. Calls should be placed to the Health Center before transporting patients there to ensure the Health Center is open and the injury can be treated there.

Sudden Illnesses

  • Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Care for life threatening conditions first.
  • Help the victim rest comfortably.
  • Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated.
  • Reassure the victim.
  • Watch for changes in consciousness and breathing.
  • Do not give anything to eat or drink unless the victim is fully conscious.
  • Place on left side if the victim vomits, is nauseated or is not fully conscious.
  • Position victim on back and elevate legs if no head or spine injury is suspected and the victim has fainted or feels light headed.

Seizure

  1. Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  2. Do not hold or restrain the victim or place anything between the teeth.
  3. Remove any objects that may cause injury.
  4. Cushion the victims head.
  5. Place victims on their left side after seizures stop to prevent aspiration in case of vomiting.

Diabetic Emergency

  1. Diabetics frequently recognize signs of sugar level emergencies and will ask for assistance obtaining sugar. They may appear shaky and clammy. Give them some kind of real sugar, preferably in a liquid form.
  2. If the victim doesn't get better in about five minutes, activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  3. If the victim goes unconscious, activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  4. Patients may be transported to the Health Center at their request during those times the Health Center is open. Calls should be placed to the Health Center before transporting patients there to ensure the Health Center is open.

Heat & Cold Related Illnesses and Injuries

  • Heat Exhaustion is caused by a loss of body fluids and overheating of the body
    1. A victim will have symptoms of normal to high body temperature, cool, moist skin, nausea, headache, dizziness, and weakness.
    2. To treat heat exhaustion:
      1. Move the victim to a cool area;
      2. Remove excessive clothing;
      3. Give the victim a cool drink if not feeling nauseous and if fully conscious; and
      4. If the victim refuses water, vomits, or starts to lose consciousness, activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
  • Heat Stroke is a more serious result of heat exposure is caused by a high body temperature. Heat stroke can be FATAL.
    1. A victim will have symptoms of high body temperature, NO SWEATING, and poor circulation.
    2. To treat heat stroke:
      1. Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
      2. Get the victim out of the heat;
      3. Remove the victim’s outer clothing; and
      4. Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin and/or ice packs to areas such as wrists, armpits, back of neck, back of knees, and abdomen.
  • Hypothermia
    1. In mild cases:
      1. Remove any wet clothing from the victim;
      2. Wrap the victim in a warm blanket or dry clothing;
      3. Give the victim warm non-alcoholic drinks if fully conscious; and
      4. If unconscious, activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
    2. In moderate and severe cases:
      1. Hypothermia: Shivering, numbness, lack of coordination, and lowered body temperature; or
      2. Frostbite: Lack of feeling in the affected area, skin appears waxy, and skin is cold to the touch; then
      3. Activate the Emergency Medical System by calling 911, and then call the University Police, EXT. 3103.
    3. Provide care to the victim:
      1. Handle the victim gently;
      2. Remove any wet clothing;
      3. Wrap the victim in warm blankets or dry clothing;
      4. If the victim is fully conscious and not nauseated warm drinks may be given;
      5. DO NOT apply a hot water bottle or hot pack; and
      6. DO NOT massage the extremities.