CPR Class & First Aid Training

Chapter Six: Medical Emergencies

This chapter is broken off into several sections, depending on the medical emergency which you may encounter. The sections are described below:

Section I	Heart Attacks
Section II	Stroke/TIA
Section III	Respiratory Illness
Section IV	Diabetes
Section V	Anaphylaxis
Section VI	Seizures

Section I. Heart Attacks Definition, Prevention & Causes - Heart Attacks are the Leading Cause of Preventable Death in the U.S. - Prevent through Healthy Lifestyle - Genetic Predisposal Signs & Symptoms - Chest Pain (Elephant on Chest) - Left Arm Pain - Pain Radiating to Jaw - Dizzy - Feelings of Doom - Pale & Sweaty How It Happens - The Heart is Deprived of Oxygen - The Heart Muscle is Damaged - The Person Can Suffer Permanent Damage What To Do - Make the Person Feel As Comfortable As Possible - Call 9-1-1 - If The Person Stops Breathing, Start CPR When To Call 9-1-1 - When The Person Exhibits Signs & Symptoms of a Heart Attack - Always Error on the Side of Caution Example - Low Heart Rate Patient, Dizzy, & Chest Pain II. Stroke Definition, Prevention & Causes - The Sudden Loss of Oxygen to Brain Tissue - May Be Occlusive or Hemolytic - Smoking & High Blood Pressure Increase Risk - Can Be Caused by Heart Attack - TIA Temporary - Stroke Possibly Permanent Signs & Symptoms - Slurred Speech - Dizziness - Acts Strange & Unusual - Facial Drooping - Inability to Repeat a Sentence - Inability to Communicate Appropriately - TIAs Increase Chances of Stroke How It Happens - A Clot Gets In the Brain or a Blood Vessel Breaks - Brain Tissue Loses Oxygen - The Person Suffers from Signs & Symptoms Above What To Do - Call 9-1-1 - Place the Person On Side (So They Don't Choke On Saliva) When To Call 9-1-1 - ASAP - Could Be Permanent Or Temporary (TIA) - Person To Hospital Quick - This Can Be Reversible Example - Lady At CB Market III. Respiratory Illness Definition, Prevention & Causes - Smoking Increases Chances - Asthma - May Be Genetic Or Spontaneous - Caused By Exercise - Caused By Infection - May Be Controlled By Medicine Signs & Symptoms - Trouble Breathing - Pale Or Bluish Appearance - Wheezing (In Asthma) - Cough - Fever - Other Signs & Symptoms How It Happens - Person Has Trouble Breathing - Decreases Oxygen In Blood - Needs Rapid Intervention What To Do - If Asthmatic, Help Find Medicine For Person - Call 9-1-1 - Get Information About Problem - Ask A Lot of Questions - Report Information to Dispatchers Or EMTs When To Call 9-1-1 - Severe Trouble Breathing - Person Stops Breathing - Person Asks for Help - High Fever - Error On the Side Of Caution IV. Diabetes Definition, Prevention & Causes - Genetic Predisposition - Two Different Types (I & II) - Native American, Hispanic, & Other Minorities Higher Risk - Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle to Help Prevent Signs & Symptoms - High Blood Sugar o Frequent Urination o Dehydration o Fruity Odor o Lethargic o Thirsty o Increased Respirations - Low Blood Sugar o Dizziness o Pale & Sweaty o Unconscious o Acting Abnormal and/or Irritable How It Happens - Sugar Is In The Body - Cells Don't Use the Sugar What To Do - Ask Person About Management - They May Take Insulin or Other Medicine for Condition When To Call 9-1-1 - If Unconscious - If the Person Requests Help - If the Person is Acting Abnormal - If You Feel Uncomfortable V. Allergic Reactions Definition, Prevention & Causes - Extreme Bodily Reaction to Foreign Substance - Exposure to Unknown Allergen - Sometimes can Occur Spontaneously - Some People are Allergic to Medication - No Known Prevention - Many People Allergic to Bees and Food Signs & Symptoms - Hives - Itching - Redness - Difficulty Breathing (Severe Cases) - Welts How It Happens - The Body Overreacts to the Introduction of a Foreign Substance - May Proceed from Mild to Severe - Progression in Severe Cases to Shortness of Breath and Anaphylaxis What To Do - Find Out if Person Has an Epi-Pen - Was the Reaction to Known Allergen for Person When To Call 9-1-1 - Call for Severe and Unmanageable Cases - Difficulty Breathing - Anaphylaxis - Epi-Pen Usage Example - Peanut Butter and Boyfriend VI. Seizures Definition, Prevention & Causes - Result of Neurological Trauma or Dysfunction Signs & Symptoms - Anywhere from a Blank Stare to Uncontrollable Bodily Motion - Unconscious - May Bite Tongue - In Cases of Trauma, a Result of Brain Injury How It Happens - Again, a Result of Neurological Trauma or Dysfunction - Can Happen in Children with a High Fever What To Do - Don't Force Body Parts to Remain in Position - Place on Soft Ground or Put Pillows Around - Get Information about Person o Is this Normal? o Do they Take Medicine? o Did they Take Medicine Today o How Long Have They Been Seizing When To Call 9-1-1 - Any Unknown/Unusual Type of Seizure Activity - When Family Members Request

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