This week is National Emergency Services Week. ViVre Medical would like to take this opportunity to thank all emergency service workers for their tireless dedication to saving lives. Many emergency workers volunteer countless hours to be sure their communities are safe and prepared in the event of an emergency. The United States EMS system includes emergency medical technicians, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement officials, educators, nurses and physicians.

One of the most important parts of an emergency service worker’s job is to educate and prepare the public to act swiftly in an emergency. Here are some tips to help you handle an emergency and help EMS professionals as well.

1. Call 911 for help immediately if you think someone is in crisis. Do not delay. This includes shortness of breath, seizures, unconsciousness, chest pain, heavy bleeding, severe stomach pain, possible broken bones or poisoning
2. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher. They are trained to help in emergencies and will be able to help you stabilize the person until EMS arrives on the scene
3. Keep calm until the ambulance gets there. Try to stay level-headed and reassure the patient and keep their temperature comfortable
4. Talk to the patient and keep them reassured. Ask them questions about themselves to focus on something other than their injury/situation. Fear and emotional stress can worsen their condition. Talking will keep their attention directed away from the emergency
5. Make it easy for EMS to find you. Have a person stand on the nearest corner to flag the ambulance down. Turn on all the inside and outside lights if it’s nighttime. Attract as much attention to your location as possible.

Finally, be prepared for an emergency. Have emergency supplies on hand and in one place so you are able to react fast. Have medical records available for emergency workers so they may treat you based off of your medical history. This will enable them to treat you faster and better than they would be able to without medical records on scene. Visit LifeGuard30.com to learn more about mobile medical record systems and please feel free to comment or add suggestions below or on our Facebook page.