Emergencies happen without notice and anywhere. Whether it’s a cut, twinge, or slip, knowing what to do next is crucial. That’s where medical first response comes in.
Medical first response is the first aid given to a person during an emergency. It can vary depending on the emergency and what’s available at the scene. Generally, it includes providing immediate care to an individual or calling for professional medical help.
During an emergency, the most important thing is to stay calm and access the situation. Is it life-threatening? Can you move them to safety? Calling for professional medical help is always the best course of action if the situation is critical.
However, if medical help is a while away, or a person can’t wait for medical responders to arrive, medical first response is needed. This could mean anything from administering CPR to staunching a wound.
If a person is bleeding heavily, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth and elevate the injured area. If someone is choking, the Heimlich maneuver is a technique that can immediately save their life. Even learning some basic first aid skills can go a long way.
Medical first response is all about taking swift actions to lessen the severity of an emergency and prevent further injury. By staying calm and promptly taking action, you could be the difference between life and death, or a faster recovery to someone in need.
