When a medical emergency strikes, the first few minutes are often the most critical. How you respond during this time can make all the difference. Whether it’s a heart attack, severe bleeding, or any other urgent situation, knowing what to do can help stabilize the person in need until professional help arrives. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to take in the first five minutes of a medical emergency.
Assess the Situation
The first step in any emergency is to assess the situation. Panic can cloud your judgment and slow down your response. At Better Protectors HQ, we often say, “Calm is contagious.”
Stay calm and take a deep breath. Quickly scan the environment for any immediate dangers that could put you or the victim at further risk, such as fire, electrical wires, or unstable structures. Ensuring your safety is crucial; you cannot help the victim if you become a victim yourself.
Once the environment is safe, focus on the person who needs help. Check their condition: Are they conscious? Are they breathing? Is there any visible bleeding? These initial observations will guide your next steps. If the person is unconscious and not breathing, or if they are bleeding heavily, you’ll need to act quickly.
Call for Help
After assessing the situation, the next step is to call for professional help. Dial your local emergency services number (911 in the U.S.) as soon as possible. Provide the dispatcher with clear and concise information, including your exact location, the nature of the emergency, and the condition of the victim. For example, you might say, “I’m at 123 Main Street. There’s a man who is unconscious and not breathing.” Important reminder: No help is coming until you tell them you need help! Call first! If others are around, direct (don’t ask) someone to make the call while you begin providing first aid. If you’re alone, call first, then start care. The dispatcher may also provide you with instructions on what to do until emergency responders arrive. Listen carefully and follow their guidance.
Provide Immediate Care
With help on the way, focus on providing immediate care. The specific actions you take will depend on the situation, but the acronym MARCH can help you decide what comes first:
- M – Massive Hemorrhage
- A – Airway
- R – Respiration
- C- Circulation
- H – Hypothermia/Head Injury
Severe Bleeding
If the person is bleeding heavily, your goal is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible this is the first priority. Use a clean cloth or bandage to apply firm, direct pressure to the wound and keep pressing until the bleeding stops or help arrives. If the bleeding is from a limb and won’t stop with direct pressure, consider using a tourniquet if you know how. Place it above the wound, between the injury and the heart, and tighten it until the bleeding stops. If it is at a junction, wound packing is the preferred response. If you are unsure about these terms, consider taking a “Stop the Bleed” class. It’s quick and simple.
Unconscious and Not Breathing
If the person is unconscious and not breathing, start CPR immediately. Place the person on their back on a firm surface. Aim for a depth of at least two inches and a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Open the airway and give rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
Choking
If someone is choking and can’t breathe, perform 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts. Continue until the object is expelled or the person loses consciousness. If they lose consciousness, start CPR.
Heart Attack
If the person shows signs of a heart attack (such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the upper body), help them sit down in a comfortable position. Offer aspirin if they are not allergic and can chew and swallow it. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Aspirin can help thin the blood and improve outcomes. Keep the person calm and reassure them while waiting for emergency services.
Stay with the person hurt
Once you’ve provided initial care, stay with the victim. Your presence can offer comfort and reassurance. Monitor their condition closely. If they lose consciousness, stop breathing, or their condition worsens, be ready to provide further first aid. Even if the situation seems under control, do not leave them alone. Medical emergencies can change quickly, and you may need to act again.
Hand Over to Professionals
When emergency responders arrive, provide them with a clear and concise account of what happened, including the actions you took and any changes in the victim’s condition. For example, if you started CPR, let them know when you began and how long you’ve been performing it. If you applied a tourniquet, inform them of the time it was applied. This information can help professionals provide the best possible care.
Once professionals take over, step back and let them do their job. You may still be asked to assist or provide additional information, but they will guide you on what’s needed.
Wrapping Up
The first five minutes of a medical emergency are often the most crucial. By staying calm, assessing the situation, calling for help, providing immediate care, and staying with the victim, you can make a significant impact. Remember, preparation is key. Consider taking first aid, CPR, and “Stop the Bleed” courses to equip yourself with the skills and confidence needed to handle emergencies effectively.
Alan Hughes brings a wealth of law enforcement experience to the table, spanning across local, state, and federal agencies. His roles have included assignments as a detective, drug interdiction specialist, and tactical team leader. Furthermore, he boasts extensive experience serving on protective teams for numerous diplomats and government officials. For over a decade, Alan has served as the safety director of a large, multi-campus church. Additionally, he is the co-founder of Better Protectors, a Florida-based training firm.
Simon Osamoh serves as the editor of Security Connections. For submissions or topic ideas, reach out to him at sosamoh@worshipfacility.com
