It can be difficult to think clearly in the midst of an emergency. Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C’s to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P’s to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery. Show
1. CheckCheck means checking for anything unsafe. If the emergency is surrounded by danger, assistance may be needed. Rushing into a scene without taking in present dangers may lead to more harm for yourself or others. For example, if there a car wreck happens in a high traffic area or there is someone in need of help in a fire, you will need to seek assistance. Check the scene before entering it. Take the evolution of the scene. Next check if the victim is breathing. You may need to give specific care such as CPR. 2. CallIn emergency situations, it’s important to call 911 immediately. As a first responder, act right away to get help from professionals. Inspect the scene, gather needed information—check for breathing and pulse from any victims, and any other helpful information. Provide correct information for local authorities and get them involved as soon as possible. 3. CareAfter checking the scene and calling for help, provide care until medical professionals arrive on the scene. Monitor the victims breathing. You may need to stop bleeding or perform CPR. Follow the circulation-airway-breathing of first aid. The Three P’s of First Aid1. Preserve LifeAs a first responder to any situation, you first priority should be to preserve life. You may need to perform CPR, stop bleeding or take other action to preserve the victim’s life. Start with C-A-B—circulation, airway, and breathing. Asses the quality of the victim’s circulation, adjust if needed. Ensure that the victim has no blocks to their airway and that they are breathing. The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening in any way. 2. Prevent DeteriorationDo what you can to keep the victim in stable condition until medical professionals arrive. The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening and prevent any potential further injury. This may mean moving the victim to a safer location, applying first aid, stabilizing them, or just staying with the victim and providing comfort. 3. Promote RecoveryAfter you’ve done what you can do with first aid treatment, your job now is to promote recovery. This can be done by encouraging confidence, providing comfort, attempting to relieve pain, and so on. These tips and tricks for emergency situations and first aid will likely differ based on your specific situation. But remembering the basics of what to do may help you save a life or prevent further pain. Know these simple steps before you find yourself in a situation where it’s hard to think clearly. A step-by-step guide explaining what to do in a choking emergency. By Mayo Clinic Staff
First aid for a choking person
How to perform abdominal thrusts, also called the Heimlich maneuver, on yourself Choking happens when an object lodges in the throat or windpipe blocking the flow of air. In adults, a piece of food is usually to blame. Young children often choke on small objects. Choking is life-threatening. It cuts off oxygen to the brain. Give first aid as quickly as possible if you or someone else is choking. Watch for these signs of choking:
If a choking person can cough forcefully, let the person keep coughing. Coughing might naturally remove the stuck object. If a person can't cough, talk, cry or laugh forcefully, give first aid to the person. The American Red Cross recommends the following steps:
Some sources only teach the abdominal thrust. It's OK not to use back blows if you haven't learned the back-blow technique. Both approaches are acceptable for adults and children older than age 1. To give abdominal thrusts to someone else:
If you're the only rescuer, give back blows and abdominal thrusts first. Then call 911 or your local emergency number for help. If another person is there, have that person call for help while you give first aid. If the person becomes unconscious, start standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions and rescue breaths. If the person is pregnant or if you can't get your arms around the stomach, give chest thrusts:
To clear the airway of an unconscious person:
To clear the airway of a choking infant younger than age 1:
If you're alone and choking: Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Then, give yourself abdominal thrusts, also called the Heimlich maneuver, to remove the stuck object.
To prepare yourself for these situations, learn the Heimlich maneuver and CPR in a certified first-aid training course. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on
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. When a patient calls with an emergency What is your first responsibility?Call. In emergency situations, it's important to call 911 immediately. As a first responder, act right away to get help from professionals. Inspect the scene, gather needed information—check for breathing and pulse from any victims, and any other helpful information.
What guidelines should the administrative medical assistant follow when the phone rings?Answering the Telephone Professionally
Always ask permission to place a caller on hold before doing so. Proper etiquette suggests that medical office administrative assistants should identify the facility and then their own name when answering a call.
Which if the following is the act of evaluating the urgency of a medical situation and prioritizing treatment?Triage is the process of determining the severity of a patient's condition. Patients with the most severe emergencies receive immediate treatment.
What guidelines should be followed before transferring a call to the appropriate party?1) Make sure to explain to the caller the REASON why you are transferring their call 2) Verify that it is all with the caller for you to transfer them 3) Call the department or person where you are transferring a call to and make sure that they can take the call.
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