📌 Key Reminders Always call 911 first in serious emergencies. Stay calm, reassure the victim, monitor breathing and consciousness. Do not give food/drink to unconscious persons or move suspected spine injuries.

The First 60 Seconds

1. **Ensure Scene Safety** - Check for dangers to yourself and the victim

2. **Call 911** - Or have someone else call while you provide aid

3. **Check Responsiveness** - Tap shoulder and shout "Are you okay?

"4. **Check Breathing** - Look, listen, and feel for breathing (10 seconds max)5.

**Begin Appropriate Care** - Based on symptoms below
 

 

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 Table of Contents 

1. Emergency Response Protocol

2. Neurological Emergencies

3. Cardiovascular Emergencies

4. Respiratory Emergencies

5. Gastrointestinal Emergencies

6. Choking

7. Snake Bites

8. Insect Bites and Stings

9. Bleeding and Wounds

10. Burns

11. Shock

12. Seizures

13. Allergic Reactions

14. Poisoning

15. Heat and Cold Emergencies

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 1. Fast Aid - Medical Emergencies 

 

The First 60 Seconds
1. **Ensure Scene Safety** - Check for dangers to yourself and the victim
2. **Call 911** - Or have someone else call while you provide aid
3. **Check Responsiveness** - Tap shoulder and shout "Are you okay?"
4. **Check Breathing** - Look, listen, and feel for breathing (10 seconds max)
5. **Begin Appropriate Care** - Based on symptoms below
When to Start CPR
Person is unresponsive AND not breathing normally
Begin chest compressions immediately (100-120 per minute)
Push hard, push fast, center of chest
If trained, give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions

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 2. Neurological Emergencies 
 

STROKE - Act FAST
Symptoms
Face drooping on one side
Arm weakness or numbness (one side)
Page 1
Fast Aid - Medical Symptoms Index
Speech difficulty or slurred speech
Time to call 911 immediately
What to Do
1. Call 911 immediately - note time symptoms started
2. Keep person lying down with head and shoulders slightly elevated
3. Do NOT give food, drink, or medication
4. Monitor breathing and consciousness
5. If unconscious but breathing, place in recovery position (on their side)
6. Stay calm and reassure the person
DO NOT
Give aspirin or other medications unless directed by 911
Let the person eat or drink (choking risk)
Leave the person alone
 

SEIZURE
Symptoms
Sudden muscle stiffening or jerking
Loss of consciousness
Confusion after episode
Possible loss of bladder/bowel control
What to Do
1. Protect from injury - clear area of hard/sharp objects
2. Cushion head with something soft
3. Turn on side to keep airway clear
4. Time the seizure
5. DO NOT restrain movements
6. DO NOT put anything in mouth
7. Stay with person until fully conscious
Call 911 if
Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
Multiple seizures occur
Person is injured, pregnant, or diabetic
First-time seizure
Person does not regain consciousness

CONCUSSION/HEAD INJURY
Symptoms
Headache, dizziness, confusion
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light/noise
Loss of consciousness (any duration)
Memory problems
What to Do
1. Call 911 for severe head injury or loss of consciousness
2. Keep person still and lying down
3. Apply ice pack to swelling (wrapped in cloth)
4. Monitor for worsening symptoms
5. Wake person every 2-3 hours if sleeping to check responsiveness
6. Do NOT give pain medication without medical approval
Immediate 911 if
Unconscious
Bleeding or fluid from ears/nose
Severe headache that worsens
Repeated vomiting
Seizures
Pupils different sizes

 3. Cardiovascular Emergencies 
 

HEART ATTACK
Symptoms
Chest pain/pressure (may radiate to arms, jaw, back)
Shortness of breath
Nausea, cold sweat
Lightheadedness
Women may have atypical symptoms (fatigue, back pain)
What to Do
1. **Call 911 immediately**
2. Have person sit or lie in comfortable position
3. Loosen tight clothing
4. If person takes nitroglycerin, help them take it
5. If not allergic and not advised against, give 325mg aspirin (chew, don't swallow whole)
6. Be prepared to perform CPR if person becomes unresponsive
7. Stay calm and reassure
DO NOT
Wait to see if symptoms pass
Drive person to hospital yourself
Leave person alone
Give food or drink

CARDIAC ARREST
Symptoms
Sudden collapse
No pulse
Not breathing or gasping
What to Do
1. **Call 911 immediately**
2. **Begin CPR immediately:**
Place heel of hand on center of chest
Place other hand on top, interlock fingers
Push hard and fast (2 inches deep, 100-120/min)
Continue until help arrives or AED available
3. **Use AED if available:**
Turn on and follow voice prompts
Attach pads to bare chest as shown
Stand clear during analysis and shock
Resume CPR immediately after shock

 4. Respiratory Emergencies 
 

SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION (Anaphylaxis)
Symptoms
Difficulty breathing, wheezing
Swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat
Rapid pulse, dizziness
Hives, itching
Nausea, vomiting
Loss of consciousness
What to Do
1. **Call 911 immediately**
2. Help person use epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if available:
Remove from carrier tube
Grasp unit with black tip pointing down
Remove blue safety release
Place black tip against outer thigh (can go through clothing)
Push down hard until click, hold 3 seconds
3. Have person lie down with legs elevated (unless breathing is difficult, then sit up)
4. Monitor breathing and consciousness
5. Be prepared to give second dose after 5-15 minutes if no improvement
6. Begin CPR if needed

ASTHMA ATTACK
Symptoms
Severe shortness of breath
Wheezing, coughing
Chest tightness
Inability to speak in full sentences
Blue lips or fingernails (severe)
What to Do
1. Help person sit upright and lean slightly forward
2. Help use rescue inhaler (usually blue):
Shake inhaler
1 puff every 30-60 seconds (max 10 puffs)
3. Encourage slow, deep breathing
4. Loosen tight clothing
5. Stay calm and reassure
Call 911 if
No improvement after inhaler
Person cannot speak
Lips or fingernails turn blue
Person becomes drowsy or confused
Severe difficulty breathing

HYPERVENTILATION
Symptoms
Rapid, deep breathing
Dizziness, lightheadedness
Chest pain or tightness
Tingling in fingers, toes, lips
Anxiety, panic

What to Do
1. Reassure and calm the person
2. Encourage slow breathing:
Breathe in through nose (4 counts)
Hold (2 counts)
Breathe out through mouth (6 counts)
3. Have person sit down
4. DO NOT use paper bag method (outdated and dangerous)
Call 911 if
First time occurrence
Chest pain present
No improvement after 10 minutes
Person has heart condition

 5. Gastrointestinal Emergencies 
 

SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN
Symptoms
Sudden, severe abdominal pain
Rigid, hard abdomen
Fever
Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Blood in stool (red or black/tarry)

What to Do
1. **Call 911 for severe pain or warning signs**
2. Have person lie in most comfortable position (usually on side with knees bent)
3. Do NOT give food, drink, or medication
4. Do NOT apply heat or pressure
5. Monitor for signs of shock
Immediate 911 if
Pain with fever over 101°F
Pregnant
Recent abdominal injury
Vomiting blood
Blood in stool
Abdomen is rigid or very tender
Pain with chest pain or difficulty breathing

VOMITING/DIARRHEA (Severe)
Symptoms
Persistent vomiting (can't keep liquids down)
Bloody vomit or stool
Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine)
Severe abdominal pain

What to Do
1. Keep person hydrated with small sips of water or electrolyte solution
2. Have person rest in comfortable position
3. Monitor for dehydration signs
4. Collect sample if possible for medical evaluation
Call 911 if
Blood in vomit or stool
Signs of severe dehydration
Severe abdominal pain
Head injury recently occurred
Unable to keep any fluids down for 24 hours

 6. Choking 
 

CONSCIOUS ADULT/CHILD (over 1 year)
Signs
Cannot speak, cough, or breathe
Clutching throat (universal choking sign)
Face turning red, then blue
Silent or weak cough
What to Do - Heimlich Maneuver
1. Stand behind person
2. Make fist with one hand, place thumb side against abdomen (above navel, below breastbone)
3. Grasp fist with other hand
4. Give quick, upward thrusts
5. Repeat until object is expelled or person becomes unconscious
6. Each thrust should be separate and distinct
If person becomes unconscious
1. Lower to ground carefully
2. Call 911 if not already done
3. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions
4. Before giving breaths, look in mouth for object
5. Remove object only if visible and easy to reach

INFANT CHOKING (under 1 year)
What to Do
1. Support infant face-down on your forearm
2. Give 5 back blows between shoulder blades with heel of hand
3. Turn infant face-up, give 5 chest thrusts with 2 fingers on center of chest
4. Repeat back blows and chest thrusts until object comes out
5. **DO NOT do Heimlich maneuver on infants**
If infant becomes unconscious
1. Call 911
2. Begin infant CPR
3. Look for object before giving breaths

 7. Snake Bites 
 

VENOMOUS SNAKE BITE
Symptoms
Two puncture marks (may not always be visible)
Severe pain, swelling, redness
Nausea, vomiting
Difficulty breathing
Blurred vision
Numbness/tingling

What to Do
1. **Call 911 immediately**
2. Keep person calm and still
3. Remove jewelry, tight clothing near bite
4. Position bite below heart level if possible
5. Wash bite gently with soap and water
6. Cover with clean, dry dressing
7. Mark edge of swelling with pen and note time
8. Try to identify snake from safe distance (description or photo)

DO NOT
Cut the bite
Try to suck out venom
Apply tourniquet
Apply ice
Give alcohol or caffeine
Let person walk (carry if possible)

NON-VENOMOUS SNAKE BITE
What to Do
1. Wash wound with soap and water
2. Apply antibiotic ointment
3. Cover with clean bandage
4. Seek medical attention to ensure proper wound care and tetanus status
5. Watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus)

 8. Insect Bites and Stings

BEE/WASP STING
What to Do
1. Remove stinger if visible (scrape with credit card edge, don't pinch)
2. Wash area with soap and water
3. Apply ice pack (20 minutes on, 20 off)
4. Elevate affected area
5. Take antihistamine for itching
6. Apply hydrocortisone cream
**Call 911 if signs of severe allergic reaction** (see Anaphylaxis section)

TICK BITE
What to Do
1. Use fine-tipped tweezers
2. Grasp tick as close to skin as possible
3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure (don't twist)
4. Clean area with soap and water
5. Save tick in sealed bag with date for identification
6. Monitor for rash or fever in following weeks
 

DO NOT
Burn tick
Apply petroleum jelly
Use nail polish
Crush tick with fingers
Seek medical attention if
Bullseye rash develops
Fever, headache, or fatigue develops
Cannot remove entire tick

SPIDER BITE (Black Widow/Brown Recluse)
Symptoms
**Black Widow: ** Severe pain, muscle cramps, sweating, nausea
**Brown Recluse: ** Blister formation, skin necrosis, fever

What to Do
1. **Call 911 or go to ER immediately**
2. Wash bite with soap and water
3. Apply ice pack
4. Keep bite below heart level
5. Try to identify spider if safe (photo from distance)
 

 9. Bleeding and Wounds 

SEVERE BLEEDING
What to Do
1. **Call 911 for severe, uncontrollable bleeding**
2. Put on gloves if available
3. Have person lie down
4. Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
5. Maintain pressure continuously
6. Add more cloths if blood soaks through (don't remove first cloth)
7. If limb, elevate above heart while maintaining pressure
8. Apply pressure bandage once bleeding slows
For life-threatening bleeding
If trained, apply tourniquet 2-3 inches above wound
Note time of tourniquet application
Do NOT loosen or remove tourniquet
DO NOT
Remove embedded objects (stabilize in place)
Probe wound
Apply pressure to head/neck/spine injuries without proper training
 

 10. Burns 
 

THERMAL BURNS
Minor Burns (First/Second Degree, small area)
1. Cool burn with running water (10-20 minutes)
2. Do NOT use ice
3. Remove jewelry/tight items before swelling
4. Cover with sterile, non-stick bandage
5. Take over-the-counter pain reliever
6. Apply aloe vera or burn ointment
Severe Burns - Call 911
Third degree (charred, white, or leathery skin)
Large area affected
Burns to face, hands, feet, genitals, major joints
Chemical or electrical burns

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For Severe Burns
1. Call 911
2. Remove person from source
3. Do NOT remove stuck clothing
4. Cover with clean, dry cloth
5. Elevate burned area above heart
6. Monitor for shock
7. Do NOT apply ice, ointments, or break blisters

CHEMICAL BURNS
What to Do
1. Call 911
2. Brush off dry chemicals first
3. Flush with running water (20+ minutes)
4. Remove contaminated clothing
5. Continue flushing while waiting for help

 11.Shock  
Symptoms
Pale, cold, clammy skin
Rapid, weak pulse
Rapid, shallow breathing
Weakness, dizziness
Nausea, vomiting
Confusion, anxiety

What to Do
1. Call 911
2. Lay person down
3. Elevate legs 12 inches (unless head, neck, spine injury suspected)
4. Keep person warm with blanket
5. Do NOT give food or drink
6. Turn head to side if vomiting
7. Monitor breathing and consciousness

 12. Seizures 
(See Neurological Emergencies section above)

 13. Allergic Reactions 
Mild Reaction
Itching, hives
Mild swelling
What to Do
Give antihistamine (Benadryl)
Apply cool compress
Monitor for worsening
Severe Reaction - Anaphylaxis
(See Respiratory Emergencies section above)
 

 

 14. Poisoning 
 

INGESTED POISON
What to Do
1. **Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222** (US)
2. Have product container ready
3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed
4. Do NOT give activated charcoal unless directed
5. If unconscious, call 911 and check breathing

INHALED POISON (Carbon Monoxide, Fumes)
What to Do
1. Get person to fresh air immediately
2. Call 911
3. Open windows and doors
4. Do NOT enter hazardous area without protection
5. Begin CPR if needed

 15. Heat and Cold Emergencies 

HEAT STROKE (EMERGENCY)

Symptoms
Body temperature over 103°F
Hot, dry skin (may not sweat)
Confusion, altered mental state
Rapid pulse
Unconsciousness
What to Do
1. **Call 911 immediately**
2. Move to cool area
3. Remove excess clothing
4. Cool person rapidly:
Spray with cool water and fan
Apply ice packs to neck, armpits, groin
Immerse in cool water if possible
5. Monitor temperature
6. Do NOT give fluids if unconscious
 

HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms
Shivering (stops in severe cases)
Confusion, slurred speech
Drowsiness
Weak pulse, shallow breathing
What to Do
1. Call 911 for severe hypothermia
2. Move to warm area
3. Remove wet clothing
4. Warm gradually with blankets
5. Give warm (not hot) drinks if conscious
6. Do NOT use direct heat (heating pad, hot water)
7. Handle gently

FROSTBITE
What to Do
1. Move to warm area
2. Do NOT rub or massage area
3. Immerse in warm (not hot) water (98-105°F)
4. Elevate affected area
5. Seek medical attention
6. Do NOT rewarm if chance of refreezing
Important Reminders
 

Always
Call 911 first in serious emergencies
Stay calm and reassure the victim
Monitor breathing and consciousness
Protect yourself (gloves, scene safety)
Do not move person unless necessary for safety

Never
Give food or drink to unconscious person
Move person with suspected spine injury
Remove embedded objects
Leave severely injured person alone

Emergency Contact Numbers
United States
Emergency: 911
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Keep this guide easily accessible on your phone for quick reference during emergencies.
**Last Updated:** 2024
**Version:** 1.0
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