Some situations always require immediate emergency response. Recognizing these can save lives.
Cardiac Emergencies:
Heart Attack Signs:
- Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort
- Pain radiating to arms, jaw, back
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, lightheadedness
- Cold sweats
- Women may have subtler symptoms
Cardiac Arrest:
- Unconscious
- No normal breathing
- No pulse
- Requires immediate CPR
- Every minute reduces survival by 10%
Key Point: "Time is muscle" - Earlier treatment saves more heart tissue
Breathing Emergencies:
Severe Respiratory Distress:
- Cannot speak in full sentences
- Using neck/chest muscles to breathe
- Blue lips or fingernails
- Confused or drowsy
- Sitting upright, refusing to lie down
- Respiratory rate >30 or <8
Choking:
- Universal choking sign
- Cannot cough, speak, or breathe
- Turning blue
- Loss of consciousness
Neurological Emergencies:
Stroke (Remember F.A.S.T.):
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
Seizures Requiring 911:
- First-time seizure
- Lasting >5 minutes
- Multiple seizures
- Injury during seizure
- Diabetic or pregnant
- Not waking up after
Severe Head Injuries:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion or memory loss
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures
- Clear fluid from ears/nose
- Unequal pupils
Trauma Emergencies:
Major Trauma Indicators:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Penetrating injuries
- Falls from height (>20 feet adult, >10 feet child)
- High-speed vehicle crashes
- Pedestrian vs. vehicle
- Ejection from vehicle
Severe Burns:
- Involving face, hands, feet, genitals, joints
- Larger than palm size
- Third-degree (white/charred)
- Chemical or electrical
- With inhalation injury
Other Critical Emergencies:
Altered Mental Status:
- Sudden confusion
- Unconsciousness
- Extreme agitation
- Hallucinations
- Suspected overdose
Severe Allergic Reactions:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face/throat
- Rapid pulse
- Widespread rash
- Feeling of doom
Pregnancy Emergencies:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- No fetal movement
- Contractions <5 minutes apart before 37 weeks
- Cord or body parts visible