Although it’s something few of us like to think about, at some time or another we will all have to deal with an unexpected medical emergency. Medical emergencies can be incredibly stressful, traumatic, and overwhelming. Once you’re in the throes of an emergency, it can be difficult to think straight and to know exactly how to react.
The best way to ease some of the pressure and the negative impact that a medical emergency can have on your life is to be prepared. You may not know when an emergency will occur, but being prepared can make you feel more confident in handling a disaster with a family member or loved one.
Here are a few tips that can help you stay prepared in the event of a medical emergency.
1. Learn CPR
CPR is a skill that everyone should know, as you never know when it will come in handy. In case of a medical emergency like a stroke, or one where your loved one or family member has trouble breathing, you’ll be able to step in and help. Organizations like the Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer CPR courses you can take to better prepare yourself for the future.
2. Keep emergency medical supplies ready
Create a small emergency kit or first aid kit filled with a few essential medical supplies you can reach for in case of an emergency. Ensure that it is fully stocked with supplies like bandages, scissors, gauze, rubbing alcohol, and other helpful supplies. Sanitize all of the supplies in your kit so they are ready to use when you need them most. You can purchase pre-stocked and ready to go kits with everything you might need off of Amazon.
3. Have all medical phone numbers handy
It’s important that if a medical emergency occurs, you have all of the necessary medical phone numbers ready. Have phone numbers ready for emergency services and hospitals with physicians, nurses, and specialists if needed. You can store all of the important medical phone numbers you may need in your Acensa App, which you’ll be able to quickly access in case of an unexpected medical event.
4. Carry medical information with you
Not only should you have the phone numbers of emergency facilities and hospitals ready, but you should also carry essential medical information with you. During a medical emergency, you won’t have time to sort through documents and get what you need ready. These situations can happen quickly, and the best way to stay prepared is to have all of the necessary medical information stored in one convenient place. You can store the medical information of each of your family members and loved ones in the Acensa App. Important information like allergies, conditions, medications, and more can be added to each person’s profile which you can look through or hand over to a doctor or medical health professional.
5. Understand the warning signs
Before a medical emergency happens and you’re forced to act quickly, it can be helpful to know the signs of a medical emergency. If your loved one, family member, or child has any of these symptoms, this can indicate that they’re experiencing a medical issue:
- Trouble breathing
- Confusion
- Uncontrolled breathing
- Dizziness
- Sudden vision changes
- Chest pressure
- Pain
- Slurred speech
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
Not every one of these symptoms indicates a medical emergency, but if you feel something is wrong it’s best to contact a hospital or medical professional right away.
Being prepared for a medical emergency can help you remain calm, rational, and ready during an unexpected disaster. These tips will help you keep yourself and your family safe in the event of an emergency situation.
Download Acensa Health to get started entering all of your information today!