Responding To Emergency Situations Flashcards
In situations that may be life threatening, what is your first course of action?
Call 999/112
Describe a heart attack and the symptoms
A blood vessel of the heart is blocked by a clot in an artery
Often causes chest pain, pain travelling from the chest, shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, a pulse that is rapid/weak/irregular, or anxiety.
How do you respond to a heart attack?
- Call 999
- Keep them calm and comfortable
- Knees bent, head and shoulder supported
- Offer aspirin to those over 16 (slowly chew 300mg)
- Monitor breathing, pulse and responsiveness
- In the case of cardiac arrest, start CPR
What is respiratory arrest, and what are its causes?
Respiratory arrest is the absence of breathing, and can be caused by respiratory distress (asthma, COPD, allergies), an obstruction, head injuries, drowning.
How do you respond to respiratory arrest?
Untreated respiratory arrest can lead to cardiac arrest, so monitor for this and be ready to perform CPR. Call 999 if it is not possible to treat the respiratory arrest (see choking, epipens).
What is a stroke? What are the symptoms?
A stroke is when a blood clot or rupture cuts off blood flow to part of the brain - it is a time critical emergency.
It can disrupt cognitive functions such as speech or memory, and cause movement problems such as paralysis. It can be recognised through FAST.
What does the FAST acronym stand for?
Face - Drooping on one side of their face
Arms - unable to raise both arms due to weakness, and there may be numbness
Speech - Speech may be slurred, or they may not talk at all
Time - You must immediately call 999 if you notice any of these symptoms
What other symptoms might you notice in a stroke, beyond “FAST”?
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision
- Sudden weakness
- Sudden memory loss
- Sudden dizziness/unsteadiness
- Difficulty understanding people
- Difficulty swallowing
What are the causes and symptoms of choking?
Choking is partial or complete obstruction to an airway.
Noted by:
- Difficulty breathing/speaking/coughing
- Visible signs of distress (clutching at throat)
- Puffy red face
- Cyanosis (skin turning blue - esp. under nails, on tips, around eyes)
If the casualty can speak, cough, breathe or cry, it is usually only a partial blockage - you should encourage them try to cough and clear the blockage, or spit it out
How should you respond to severe choking?
- Do not try to remove blockage unless it is visible (you could worsen the situation)
- Encourage them to cough
Then, if not resolved… - Administer 5 sharp back slaps between shoulder blades. Check on them between each
- Administer 5 abdominal thrusts - do not do this to pregnant women
- Call for emergency assistance if still choking. Repeat steps 3 times, then prepare to perform CPR.
- If abdominal thrusts administered, patient must be seen by hospital staff
How should you treat an infant who is choking?
- Lay them along your forearm and thigh on their front, and give 5 sharp back blows
- Check their mouth to see if obstructions are cleared, and remove visible obstructions
- Lay them on their back on your thigh and use two fingers to give abdominal thrusts
- Call 999 if obstruction not cleared - repeat previous steps
- Prepare to proceed to infant CPR
What are the causes and symptoms of poisoning?
Occurs when there is exposure to harmful substances, such as alcohol, drugs, CO, contained food or chemicals, either ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.
Symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Stomach pains
- Pain or burning
- Confusion
- Drowsiness, fits or seizures
How should you respond to a poisoning?
- Wear PPE where possible
- Sit them down and make them comfortable
- Call 111 for guidance
- Call 999 if seriously ill, losing consciousness or having a seizure
- Monitor the casualty, potentially put in recovery position
- If CPR needed, avoid rescue breaths unless you have a barrier
How should you respond to drowning?
- Don’t enter the water unless safe to do so
- Carry out a primary survey once casualty is on land
- If CPR needed, begin with 5 breaths while they are flat on the ground
- Immediately call 999 if CPR needed
- If a defibrillator is available, ensure it is only used if the casualty is on a dry area and is dry where the contacts are placed
- Continue to monitor casualty, likely that you’ll have to place on their side if they vomit
What is shock and what are the symptoms?
Shock is caused by a fall in blood pressure and lack of oxygen to cells, and can by life threatening
If casualty is bleeding heavily, shock is likely. Treat bleeding first, then shock.
Symptoms include:
- Pale/clammy skin
- Grey-blue skin
- Sweating
- Fast/weak pulse
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Thirst
- Rapid breathing
- Yawning/gasping
- Confusion or restlessness
- Unresponsiveness
