Everyday Survival - Recognizing Life Threatening Situations

Being prepared for a medical emergency needs to include the knowledge of which situations may require you to immediately call emergency services. When dealing with a life threatening situation and other means of safe and immediate transport are unavailable, it is important to remember that EMS should be called immediately, even prior to starting CPR or other types of first aid.

Potentially life threatening situations may include any of the following:

1. A head injury followed by unconsciousness.

2. An inability to breathe.

3. Any signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

4. Sudden paralysis or muscle weakness on one side of the body.

5. Any vomiting of blood.

6. Severe burns, especially over large areas of the body.

7. Any sudden or abrupt loss of consciousness.

8. Any accidental poisoning or overdose of medication.

9. Any type of gunshot wound, stab wound or impalement by any type of object.

10. Severe bleeding of any type.

There are also several other signs of serious and possibly life threatening situations that may require immediate emergency care. These situations may include such things as:

1. Severe or prolonged abdominal pain.

2. Unexpected seizures.

3. Major dislocations of joints such as the hip.

4. Sudden or unexplained worsening of a current medical condition such as asthma, emphysema, high blood pressure or other type of heart condition.

Being able to recognize life threatening situations when they occur will help you be better prepared. There will be times when emergency first aid will not solve your problem and proper emergency medical services will be required for your survival.

Do you know when to call an ambulance?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker