This section, “Emergency and First Aid,” provides
brief and basic instructional information for com-
mon health emergencies, directed at the average
person who has minimal medical knowledge or
training. The structure and presentation of the
content in this section differs from other sections
of The Facts On File Encyclopedia of Health and Medi-
cinein having such an instructional focus. Other
sections contain content that gives detailed infor-
mation about the health conditions.
This content does not substitute for
appropriate and timely medical atten-
tion from trained medical personnel.
Nearly always, the most appropriate
first step in an emergency is to call 911
to summon medical assistance.Three basic rules govern emergency and first
aid response for the average person in nearly
every type of situation.
Rule One: First Summon Emergency Personnel
In the United States, cellular telephones and the
911 network have revolutionized emergency
response. The first action for the first person on
the scene of a medical emergency should be to
call 911 to summon emergency medical person-
nel. If the responder does not have a cell phone
odds are high that the person in need of assistance
does; cell phones have become ubiquitous in
American society. Except for the most remote
areas, the 911 network coordinates response to all
emergencies.
When calling 911 to report an emergency and
request aid, certain basic information helps get the
right assistance to the right location in the short-
est amount of time.- Where is the site or scene? If a home, provide
the address. If a business, provide the name
and address. When at a home or business, call-
ing 911 from a land line (regular telephone)
displays location information for 911 dispatch-
ers. When at the scene of a traffic accident, try
to note key location markers such as street
names and intersections, highway numbers,
exit ramp numbers, or milepost markers. - What happened and is it still happening?
Though most emergency dispatch includes law
enforcement, fire, and medical personnel,
knowing what has happened helps the 911 dis-
patcher send an appropriate balance and num-
ber of personnel. A motor vehicle accident, a
fire, and a shooting situation require different
blends of emphasis, personnel, and equipment. - How many people are involved and what kinds
of injuries or medical crises do they appear to
have? Just the basics—bleeding, BURNS, HEART
ATTACK, not BREATHING, not conscious—help the
911 dispatcher determine an appropriate level
of medical response (evacuation helicopter or
ambulance, for example).
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