Image via Dramas With a Side of Kimchi
Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. It’s a scary thought to have and some people choose to avoid thinking of such negative things. However, it’s also essential that we’re always prepared for any emergencies. The best thing we can do when a disaster strikes is to know how to assess the situation calmly, provide necessary first-aid and to seek professional help.
Here are some of the common emergencies, which may occur at home, and how to handle them:
#1 Cuts
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If someone sustained a cut and is bleeding, first clean the wound with tap water. Experts from Ara Damansara Medical Centre explain that there’s no need to clean with alcohol or iodine, which will cause more pain. Next, apply pressure on the cut with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. Keep the pressure there for at least 5 minutes.
Most cuts, no matter how big, will stop bleeding when enough pressure is applied to it. There’s usually no need to apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. However, if the blood continues to flow heavily or if it’s squirting out, you might have cut an artery! In any case, do bring the injured person to the nearest clinic or hospital as they may require stitching.
#2 Burns
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Burns from a hot object or liquid can be very painful. If this happens, quickly put the burnt area under running tap water. This helps to clean the wound, stop the injury process and reduce pain.
If it’s from hot oil, use handwash to gently rid the affected area of any oil. Then, continue to let it run under the tap. Once the pain has subsided, take the victim to the nearest clinic or hospital for further assessment.
Contrary to popular belief, applying ice, toothpaste, soy sauce, minyak gamat, etc. immediately after a burn injury will NOT help and may actually make things worse!
#3 Choking
Choking on food or liquid is common and the body’s natural reaction is to cough. This is a good sign. However, it becomes an emergency once the person’s airflow is disrupted. If the person can’t cough or speak, or is turning red or blue, you need to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre ASAP.
Here’s a video demonstration for easier understanding:
Keep in mind that if the person is a child or an elderly person, don’t press too hard as you may break their ribs.
If you’re the one choking and there’s no one around to help you, you can also perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre on yourself!
Here’s how to do it:
#4 Swallowing or being exposed to poison
Image via Newsweek
A few of the everyday household items we have at home such as bleach, insect repellent, and even detergent can be very harmful. For adults, it may only be fatal when we ingest a huge amount of it, but small amounts can be extremely dangerous for children.
Depending on how you were exposed to the poison, there are different ways to treat them.
If the person swallowed the poison but is conscious, immediately make them drink some water. Call emergency services or bring them to the nearest medical centre.
Meanwhile, if the poison went into their eyes, quickly remove contact lenses, if any, and rinse eyes with tap water for 15 minutes. Do the same if the poison affected the skin as well. If the eyes or skin are still irritated after 15 minutes, immediately bring them to the nearest hospital.
Image via Daily Mail
In the event that the poison is gaseous, immediately leave the room or area and head to a place with clean air. Take deep fresh breaths. In case you’re stuck and can’t leave the room, cover your mouth and nose with a clean cloth. Try to ventilate the room by opening all window and stay near the window to breathe in as much clean air as possible.
Call emergency services immediately.
#5 Collapsing and fainting
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According to Dr Hilwani Kaharuddin, Ara Damansara Medical Centre’s Emergency Physician, not everyone who’s unconscious requires CPR. If someone collapsed right in front of you, you need to know why they fainted.
A person with diabetes may be having a hypoglycaemic episode (low blood sugar) or a person with epilepsy may have had a seizure. If a person is having a very bad seizure whereby they are shaking uncontrollably, DO NOT put anything into their mouth, even if they are biting their tongue. They may choke on the object that you inserted or it may damage their teeth.
Besides that, check to see if the unconscious person is still breathing. You can do this by observing their chest for any movement that may indicate breathing. You need to observe for at least five seconds. If he or she isn’t breathing, call 999 or the nearest hospital immediately.
The helpline personnel will talk you through to assess the situation. If chest compression is required, and you’re trained in CPR, you may start chest compressions. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is optional. Continue CPR until the ambulance arrives. If the person is still breathing, ensure that they are in a safe area and stay with them until the ambulance arrives.
Also, if you suspect that the person might have injured their back or spine during the fall, make sure not to move them at all as it may cause further damage!
Prevention is always better than cure
Always ensure you have done everything safely and wear protective gear where necessary such as wearing oven mitts when holding hot items, chewing your food properly, and more.
When such incidences occur, always seek emergency services immediately. Accidents happen. You could be doing the same thing for the hundredth time, and yet, it could still go wrong. But remember, help is only one call away.
Image via Ara Damansara Medical Centre
Besides 999, you can also call Ara Damansara Medical Centre at 03 7839 9210. For more information, visit their website or Facebook for more info.