Every second counts when responding to emergency medical situations. Recognizing the signs and symptoms – and knowing how to properly respond until help arrives – is vital.
“Staying calm, being prepared and knowing what to do, including when to call 911” can help save a co-worker’s life, said Maria Belen Cordova, program technical advisor for first aid at the National Safety Council.
Here, we’ve listed some common medical emergencies – and what bystanders should do. (In each situation listed, know that you should be ready to administer CPR at a moment’s notice.)
Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood is blocked in part of the heart. Signs of a heart attack include persistent pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest, which may spread to the neck, jaw, shoulder and/or arms. This discomfort may come and go or it could last several minutes.
Other symptoms: shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, cold sweat, and pale or clammy skin.
“Victims having a heart attack may not have all of these signs and symptoms,” NSC says. “Women especially may experience other symptoms, including shortness of breath, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain.”
Call 911 right away if a co-worker is experiencing chest discomfort – even if you aren’t sure it’s a heart attack.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or a rupture in a blood vessel. The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember the symptoms of a stroke and what to do if you see them.
- Face drooping: Is one side of the worker’s face drooping or numb? If you ask the person to smile, is their smile uneven?
- Arm weakness: Is one arm numb or weak? If you ask the worker to raise one arm, does it eventually drift downward?
- Speech issues: Is the person slurring their words or having trouble speaking or understanding you? If you ask them to repeat a simple sentence, can they do it correctly?
- Time to call 911 if any of these symptoms occur: Try to remember when the symptoms started and relay that information to the operator.
Choking
The most urgent signs of choking are the inability to cough, speak or breathe. Someone who’s choking may also clutch their throat, appear panicked, or have bluish lips or skin because of a lack of oxygen. Breathing may become silent or high-pitched and attempts to cough may be weak or ineffective.
Call 911 in those cases or, better yet, have someone else do it so you can begin the Heimlich maneuver. (Watch a video on performing the Heimlich maneuver).
Shock
Someone experiencing shock may exhibit some of these symptoms:
- Anxiety, confusion, agitation or restlessness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cool, clammy or sweating skin
- Skin that’s pale, bluish or ashen
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Thirst, nausea or vomiting
If any of these signs are present after an injury, sudden illness or traumatic event, it may indicate the person’s body isn’t getting enough blood flow – a serious medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if shock is suspected. Then:
- Lay the worker down and elevate their legs and feet slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or further injury.
- Keep the person still.
- Loosen any tight-fitting clothing and, if needed, cover the person with a blanket to warm them.
- If the worker vomits or is bleeding from the mouth – and if no spinal injury is suspected – turn the person onto their side to prevent choking.
Concussion
The symptoms of a concussion can range from mild to severe. They include:
- Headache or head pressure
- Feeling stunned or dazed
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Confusion or memory problems
Monitor the worker closely. Call 911 if symptoms worsen or the person vomits repeatedly, loses consciousness, or shows changes in behavior or speech.
Opioid drug overdose
Symptoms of an opioid drug overdose include unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils, and slow or shallow breathing. “In severe cases, victims’ lips and nail beds may turn bluish or ashen (and) seizures may occur,” NSC says.
Be ready to administer naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) and give CPR. The council encourages all workplaces to be ready to respond to an opioid overdose – including having naloxone in first aid kits. Go to nsc.org/respondready to learn more.
Fainting
A worker may be about to faint if they’re dizzy or feeling weak, are experiencing changes in their vision, have pale or ashen skin, or begin sweating a lot. If they do faint, lay them down, elevate their legs about 12 inches, loosen their clothing, provide fresh air and monitor them.
The general rule of thumb with fainting victims is to call 911 if someone hasn’t regained consciousness after about a minute – unless they may have been injured during the faint. In that case, call 911 immediately.
Sudden cardiac arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. This typically causes victims to collapse, become unresponsive, and stop breathing normally or altogether. If this occurs, call 911. Then, find an AED or ask someone else to get the AED while you begin CPR. An AED will check the heart’s rhythms and deliver a shock, if needed, to help restore a normal heartbeat.
“It’s so important for people to be trained in CPR and how to use an AED,” Cordova said. “In those first few minutes, your actions can truly make the difference between life and death.”
