Medical problems do not always develop slowly. Sometimes there are emergencies. An emergency is a situation that requires immediate care to prevent greater harm to the patient. However. it is not always possible to get professional medical help right away, so it is important for everyone to be familiar with first-aid procedures.

The main objective of first aid is to save lives. Fortunately, most first-aid procedures are not complicated and can be performed by someone with a minimum of training. In all emergency cases, a doctor should be called as well as an ambulance, if necessary. A written log should be made stating what treatment was administered and when it was started and completed. This information will be important to the medical personnel who treat the patient later.

One of the most serious emergencies occurs when an individual has stopped breathing. This may be the result of asphyxiation, electrocution, drowning, a heart attack, or some other cause. After only four minutes without oxygen, brain damage is likely. To prevent brain damage or death, artificial respiration must be started immediately.

Before resuscitation is begun, the victim should be placed face-up on a hard, flat surface. Rough handling should be avoided due to possible fractures which could cause spine injury, paralysis, or other internal injuries. The primary considerations include restoration of breathing and heartbeat. Clothing should be loosened and foreign matter or vomit cleared from the mouth.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of a patient involves two procedures. The first is getting oxygen into the blood by blowing air into the lungs. Mouth-to-mouth breathing is the most effective form of artificial respiration. In this method, the rescuer breathes into the victim's mouth and nose in a regular rhythm, about 12 to 15 times per minute for an adult and 20 times for a child. As the air enters the lungs, the chest will expand. The second procedure is the application of chest pressure to compress the heart and force blood into the circulatory system. Pressure is applied with the heels of the hands on the victim's chest in a rocking motion, about 60 times a minute. This routine should not be stopped for longer thạn a beat or two. Even if one is fatigued, it is important to continue resuscitation efforts until help arrives. If one is alone with a victim, breathing and message must be alternated, but CPR is much easier and far more effective if performed by a team of two. Anyone can learn CPR in classes offered by the American Red Cross or by local fire departments. The more people who are trained to administer CPR, the more lives can be saved.

After cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest, the most critical emergency is severe bleeding (hemorrhaging). especially from a maín artery. Pressure must be placed at the site of the bleeding, or a tourniquet must be applied. Care must be taken, however, to loosen the pressure from time to time to prevent gan grene (death of body cells caused by insufficient blood supply).

Another common emergency is choking on food. Since the victim cannot talk because ot the blocked trachea, it is important that others recognize the danger of the situation and act promptly. A procedure known as the Heimlich maneuver is commonly used to unblock the trachea. The victim is clutched from behind, and the rescuer sharply presses with his clutched hands on the victim's chest until the foreign objects is impelled out of the trachea, and the victim is able to breathe.

A condition that accompanies many medical emergencies ís shock. When a victim is in shock, the bodily tissues are not receiving an adequate supply ot oxygen-containing blood. To identify a state of shock, touch the skin and note its color. Shock victims feel sweaty and look very pale. Test the pulse. Someone in shock has a weak, rapid pulse. Also, shock victims may be nauseous or even vomiting. Shock is always serious and can be fatal. The victim should be made to lie flat with the feet raised. No food or drink should be given. External bleeding should be controlled, and the victim should be kept warm and comfortable until help arrives. These measures will usually minimize the most severe eftects of shock.

Severe injuries to the head rank among the most serious emergencies. lf the skull is fractured or a victim suffers a concussion, the brain can be irreparably damaged. Warning signs of damage include unconsciousness, excessive sleepiness, vomiting, severe headaches, paralysis, bleeding, irregular breathing, confusion, extremely Iow pulse rate, dilated eye pupils, and memory loss. No sedatives, alcohol, or pain medications should be given. Food and fluids should be kept to a minimum. The victim should be moved as little as possible until a physician determines thạt there is no injury to the spine. A physician should be consulted in all cases, even if the victim has apparently recovered.