Recognising medical emergencies
In a medical emergency, phone 0860 999 911 immediately. The operator will tell you how to handle the emergency and send an ambulance if needed. This article aims to give you an idea of the signs to be aware of and does not replace medical advice rather it offers some tips on spotting medical emergencies as well as common mistakes to avoid.
Keep safe
The first person to keep safe is yourself. If you cannot safely stop and help someone, the best thing to do is find a safe place and call an ambulance. If you do not know the person, call 10177 to reach the public ambulance service.
Chest pains could mean a heart attack
The sooner you act if you think someone is having a heart attack, the better their chance of surviving. Take chest pain seriously. A person having a heart attack stays awake and keeps on breathing, but their heart is being damaged by not getting blood.
Although there are many causes of chest pains, including acid reflux and anxiety, it’s essential to take symptoms seriously. The person having a heart attack often experiences sudden chest pain which can spread to the arm and neck. They can also feel nausea and have cold, wet, greyish skin.
Here’s what not to do:
- Don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away
- Don’t let the person walk around
- Don’t let the person lie down flat on the floor as this makes it harder to breathe. Rather let them sit and make sure their head and shoulders are supported.
Choking can be an emergency
If the person is coughing and talking, it means they can breathe. You can encourage them to cough or drink water, but don’t hit them on the back; it can force food further down the throat.
It’s an emergency if a person isn’t making noise and their face becomes red. They will usually hold their hands around their throat.
According to ER24, you can help someone who is not breathing by standing behind them and wrapping your arms around their waist. “(If it is a child, kneel down behind them). Make a fist with one hand and position it just above the person’s bellybutton. Grab your fist with your other hand and press hard into the abdomen, as if you are trying to lift the person up. Repeat until the obstruction is dislodged, or the person loses consciousness.”
Burns large and small need first aid
Even if it’s a small burn, starting treatment as soon as possible will help prevent further damage and assist with the healing process. If someone is burned, remove warm or burnt clothing. But if the clothes stick to the skin, don’t pull it off. Remove all jewellery and belts as burns can swell quickly.
Keep the burned skin under cool (not cold) running water for at least 10 minutes. You can treat small burns at home, but call 0860 999 911 for any burn that involves the eyes, is larger than the person’s hand or involves extreme pain.
Here’s what not to do:
- Don’t put ice on the burn as it can cause damage and more pain
- Don’t break blisters as this can lead to infection
- Don’t use butter, coffee, toothpaste or ointments not meant for burns
Fainting could be sign of underlying problems
People faint when their brains temporarily don’t get enough blood due to low blood pressure. Usually, you should let them lie on their sides and not let them get up too quickly after they wake up.
People can faint for many reasons including standing too long, being dehydrated, diabetes and heart problems. If you know someone has diabetes and they faint, you should call the ambulance.
Stroke, react FAST
Sometimes a stroke is called a brain attack. It happens when the blood flow in the brain is interrupted. FAST is a simple way to remember the signs of stroke that show you need to get medical help right away. The sooner you get help for a stroke, the less damage the stroke does and the better your chances of recovery are. Stay with the person until help arrives.
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does their face droop or does one side not move as well as the other?
Arms: Ask the person to lift both arms above their head and keep them there. Does one arm not move or slowly come down?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a short sentence (eg “It is a sunny day in Cape Town”). Did the person use the right words without slurring?
Time: If you spot any of these signs, call emergency services and make a note of when the symptoms started.