Basic Principles of Emergency Care

At some point, you may have to respond to a medical emergency. HOW YOU RESPOND COULD SAVE LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S. When a medical emergency arises, will you:

a. Know what to do?
b. Know what not to do?
c. Know how to give and/or get successful treatment?
d. Be able to help save someone's life?

In medical emergencies, knowledge is critical. You don't have to go to medical school or even learn complicated terms and procedures. However, you should at least get a basic understanding of medical emergencies that could affect you, your friends, and loved ones.

Basic Principles of Emergency Care.

01. Approach any emergency in a calm and orderly manner. When a victim is relaxed
and confident, you increase the odds for a successful recovery. Diagnosis and
treatment are easier and the victim is more likely to help - rather than
hinder care givers. Conversely, an alarmed victim can impedes those who are
trying to help. If you are a care givers, don't panic or show your fears. If
you are the one having the medical emergency, remain as calm as possible.

02. Be observant; take inventory, identify and assess the general natural of the
problem. Is it an orthopedic, surgical, medical, or psychological emergency? Do
you feel pulse? Is the patient breathing (regardless of the reason why} Are
there any life threatening injuries? Has the victim been removed from the
source of danger?

03. If possible and if time permits, find out whether the patient has a preexisting
medical condition and which prescription medication(s)he/she is taking. However,
don't delay calling ambulance (call 999) while you conduct primary assessment
on the victim.

04. Call for ambulance as soon as possible to seek professional help.

05. When calling for an ambulance make sure that you give the exact location of the
place of incident, number of victims, nature of medical emergency/accident and
most important your contact number to enable the ambulance personnel to
communicate with you.

06. Seek tele-medical advise what you can do at the means time while waiting for
the arrival of the ambulance. (If such service is available in your area)

07. DO NOT leave the victim unattended, someone must be there to accompany the
victim at all time until you hand over to the professional.

08. When the emergency care giver arrive, brief them what information you have
gather and let the professional do their job and standby nearby. Be available
to answer question or assist them whenever is needed.

A very Basic Principles of Emergency Care and hope this little write up are able to arouse your interest in Emergency care.

Complied by Patrick.
Kuala Lumpur.