Do you remember the first aid course you had to take years ago for your driving license test? The right behavior in an emergency can save lives. Suddenly a woman falls off her seat on the subway or your mother starts gasping for air at the table. If only you had ... Don't wait until it's too late. Find out now about the most important measures to take in a medical emergency. Some things are new. And the main thing is always to take action!
Severe chest pain as a sign of a heart attack
Has the other person suddenly complained of severe chest pain? Of course, it doesn't have to be an imminent heart attack. But it could be a medical emergency. Men tend to shrug it off: it's not that bad. Never mind, don't let this put you off. Call the emergency services - it's better to call once more than once too little. Tell them that you suspect a heart attack. Until the emergency doctor arrives, put the person in an upright sitting position and talk to them in a calming manner. Good coaxing reduces stress, which means that the heart needs fewer beats.
An asthma attack is frightening at first
Imagine you are sitting in a café and someone at the next table suddenly stops breathing. They are gasping for breath, perhaps already turning blue ... And now what? Stay very calm. If the person suffers from asthma, they probably have an emergency spray with them. Help them to use it. In all other cases: Dial 911, put the person in an upright position and ask them to "lip-break". Exhale against closed lips and make a "pfff" sound. This increases the pressure in the pulmonary system and the airways widen.
"This is a polytrauma", or also: a nasty accident
A horror scenario: you witness a car and cyclist colliding and the cyclist lying on the ground. The probability that she has multiple injuries is very high. And what do you do? If the accident victim is conscious, hold their head and calm them down. Otherwise, place them in the recovery position or give chest compressions.
When the blood pressure gallops forward
Most patients suffering from high blood pressure have an emergency medication with them. As a layperson, you can help them take it. If no medication is available: dial 1 12 or the on-call service: 11 61 17.
Suddenly your body is hypoglycemic
You are standing in the foyer during a break at the theater and the young woman next to you suddenly turns pale, starts shaking violently and then faints. This could be hypoglycemia. If the patient is still responsive, she may be able to refer you to her emergency kit. If they are unconscious, call the emergency services immediately. The recovery position is also useful here. What you should never do: give an unconscious person a drink. This can lead to suffocation.
If the heart and circulation have stopped
If you find a person lifeless, you must do something. First of all, check for breathing. If there is no breathing, do not even look for a pulse. Start chest compressions immediately - and preferably dial 1 12 at the same time. First and foremost: pump often and regularly. And don't stop until the paramedics take over.
React correctly in the event of an allergic shock
A late summer's day, a wasp lands on your arm, it stings violently and shortly afterwards your circulation fails. This is an allergic shock. Anyone who experiences something like this should call the emergency services immediately.
FIRST AID EMERGENCY CALL: 1 12
Have the following information ready:
Where did the emergency happen? State the location as precisely as possible.
What has happened? Was it an accident? Did someone just fall over?
How many patients are there? The emergency services can plan quickly and, if necessary, send several ambulances at once.
What type of injuries or symptoms are present?
POISON EMERGENCY: area code + 1 92 40
In addition to the W questions, you should provide further information:
Who is affected?
What is the poisoning suspected to have been caused by and in what quantity, when did it occur and what are the specific symptoms?
The emergency number is not regulated nationwide. Each federal state has its own area code.