10 Useful Things To Know In Case Of Emergencies
Emergency situations sometimes call for life-saving skills. It’s better to be prepared for any type of situation thrown your way, as you never know what, when or how something might happen.
Here are 10 useful things to know to prepare yourself for any potential emergency situations.
1. Training in CPR/AED/First Aid
Knowing how to perform CPR, use an AED or administer first aid are all great skills to have. Someone’s life could depend on whether or not they receive CPR, AED or first aid before EMTs arrive on the scene.
It’s quite simple to sign up for a CPR/AED amd first aid course — the American Red Cross provides affordable certification courses in CPR, AED and first aid training —but you can’t put a price on the ability to save someone’s life. Consider signing up for a course to become CPR, AED and first aid certified.
2. Responding to Someone Choking
A useful skill many people are aware of, but might not be trained in, is following the steps of the Heimlich maneuver. Choking situations might seem scary at first, but knowing how to respond is key.
Be sure to know the signs of choking, such as the person waving their hands in the air, struggling to breathe, being unable to speak or showing a look of fear or panic. Learn the steps of the Heimlich maneuver so you can save people from choking.
3. Helping Someone Suffering From a Heart Attack
Older adults are most at-risk of suffering from a heart attack. If someone is having a heart attack but is still conscious, call 911 and ask the person to chew an aspirin until medical personnel arrive.
Always try to remain calm if someone is in the middle of having a heart attack. The most common symptom to keep an eye out for is a feeling of crushing pain in the middle of the chest.
4. Treating Severe Burns or Excessive Bleeding
Burns or wounds can become more severe if left untreated, and these injuries can be highly painful. As mentioned above, learning basic first aid techniques can help people live long enough to seek further treatment from EMTs.
Some wounds need pressure or a tourniquet, while others are fine with a Band-Aid. You should also know how to treat moderate to severe burns using a damp washcloth to provide relief until medical personnel arrive.
5. Surviving a Power Outage
Power outages seem scary, particularly for children inside the home. You should know basic skills and tasks to do when the power goes out, such as filling your bathtub with water and keeping the refrigerator closed.
Another thing people forget about is their garage door. When the power goes out, garage doors cannot open automatically — they require manual lifting. Follow these five simple steps to open your garage doors manually so you can leave your home during an outage:
Disengage opener
Pull emergency release cord
Raise the door
Close the door
Reconnect the opener
Once you get power back, you should be able to open and close the garage door as usual.
6. Saving Someone From Drowning
During the summer, kids and adults love jumping into the pool or ocean for a quick swim or to cool off. However, not everyone is a good swimmer, and they could be at risk of drowning, especially in the ocean if there is a rip current.
The first step is to pull the person from the water. If they’re unresponsive, having CPR training can help you save their life. Call 911 as soon as possible — time is critical in the case of drowning.
7. Delivering a Baby
Knowing how to safely deliver a baby, whether you’re in a car or miles away from the nearest hospital, is highly useful.
In addition to caring for the newborn, you can give your partner or anyone else who is pregnant peace of mind knowing they can rely on you during this critical moment. Anyone in the late stages of labor would be thankful to have you around!
8. Escaping a Burning Building
According to the National Safety Council, house fires caused around 3,800 civilian deaths in 2021. Fires can break out for a multitude of reasons, so being prepared is crucial.
When you’re in a building, be sure to know where fire escapes, extinguishers and stairwells are located. Know the warning signs of a potential fire, such as:
Alarms and detectors sounding
Smoke
The smell of burning or fire
Hot doors and door handles
Call 911 immediately to report a burning building — always know your address so a firefighting crew can locate you as soon as possible.
9. Treating Yourself Without Medicine
We all get sick from time to time, and on occasion, you don’t have access to a pharmacy or your home medicine cabinet. Did you know that you can use certain essential oils to promote healing or make yourself feel better from an illness?
For example, lemon can help reduce pain and discomfort, and peppermint can open your airways if you’re congested. Keep small bottles of essential oils on hand to help with basic health needs.
10. Carrying Someone Heavier Than You
Suppose you and your partner go for a hike, and they twist and break their ankle. How will they receive the necessary medical attention? You’ll have to carry your partner to the car so you can drive them to an urgent care, hospital or other medical facility.
You don’t have to have superhuman strength to carry someone in need. Consider learning how to do the fireman’s carry, a technique that allows you to carry an adult wherever you need to go.
Learn Life-Saving Skills for Emergencies
Emergencies range from mild to severe — some situations are life threatening and time is of the essence, whereas other circumstances are not as serious. Knowing how to handle the toughest situations can make you a better parent, friend or family member.