Taking Action in an Emergency Module Overview

Introduction

Truck wordle Have you ever wondered what you would do if you came across an emergency situation and a victim that needs help? Maybe you have already been faced with such a scenario. Would you feel obligated to help, or would you feel uneasy and anxious about giving care? In this unit you will learn to identify an emergency, as well as the three essential Emergency Action steps and how to apply each one. Additionally, we will consider the legal aspects associated with giving care with and without consent.

Essential Questions

Do you feel prepared to take action in the case of an emergency?
What would you do if faced with a situation in which a victim requires medical attention?
How can citizen responders protect themselves from harm when aiding a victim?
What are the legal ramifications for citizen responders who provide care to emergency victims?

Module Minute

An emergency can be defined as a situation demanding immediate attention. Medical emergencies can occur at any time, and in any place, such as home, school, work, soccer practice or the grocery store. Additionally, emergencies can happen to anyone including you, someone close to you such as a friend, or relative or even a stranger. Emergencies requiring first aid can be classified as Life-threatening (an illness or injury that impairs a victim's ability to circulate oxygen) or Non-life-threatening (a situation which does not have an impact on the victims ability to circulate oxygen). As a citizen responder, it is important to recognize your role of accurately identifying an emergency, deciding to act, calling 9-1-1 and giving care until medical help arrives. Using the Emergency Action Steps of Check, Call, Care will ensure that you respond effectively to any emergency situation.

Key Terms

Emergency- A sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)- A network of community resources and medical personnel that provides emergency care to victims of injury or sudden illness.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)- Trained medical professionals who are dispatched to an emergency by the EMS dispatcher.
First Aid- Immediate care or treatment given to someone who is injured or becomes suddenly ill, until medical services arrive.
First Responder- A person trained in emergency care that may be called on to give such care as a routine part of his or her job, such as a firefighter, law enforcement officers or lifeguards.
Good Samaritan Laws- Laws that protect people who willingly give first aid without accepting anything in return.
Injury- Damage that occurs when the body is subjected to an external force, such as a blow, a fall, a collision, an electrical current or temperature extremes.
Sudden Illness -A physical condition requiring immediate attention.
Life-Threatening Emergency- An illness or injury that impairs a victims ability to circulate oxygenated blood to all the parts of the body.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency- Situations that do not have an immediate impact on a victim's ability to circulate oxygenated blood.
Consent- Permission to give care, given by the victim to the rescuer.
Implied Consent- Legal concept that assumes a person would consent to receive emergency care if he or she were physically able to do so.
Emergency Action Steps- Check-Call-Care: The three basic steps you should take in any emergency.
Personal Protective Equipment- The equipment and supplies that help prevent the rescuer from directly contacting infected materials.

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