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Emergency – Definition, First Aid & Emergency Calls
An emergency is a sudden, life-threatening or urgent situation that requires immediate medical action to protect a person´s health or life.
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An emergency is a sudden, life-threatening or urgent situation that requires immediate medical action to protect a person´s health or life.
What Is a Medical Emergency?
A medical emergency is a sudden event in which a person´s life or health is acutely at risk and immediate action is required. In medicine, emergencies are broadly divided into medical emergencies – such as cardiac arrest or stroke – and trauma emergencies, which result from external forces such as accidents or injuries. Emergencies can occur at any time and place, and often rely on bystander first aid before professional help arrives.
Types of Emergencies
Medical Emergencies
- Cardiac arrest: The heart stops beating; immediate CPR is lifesaving.
- Stroke: Disrupted blood flow to the brain, causing sudden weakness, speech problems, or facial drooping.
- Heart attack (Myocardial infarction): Blockage of a coronary artery causing severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain radiating to the arm.
- Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction leading to circulatory collapse and breathing difficulties.
- Hypoglycemia: Dangerously low blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes.
- Respiratory emergencies: Asthma attacks, pulmonary embolism, or choking.
Trauma Emergencies
- Road traffic accidents with serious injuries
- Burns and chemical injuries
- Fall-related injuries and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
Psychiatric Emergencies
- Acute suicidal crisis
- Severe psychiatric episodes (e.g., psychosis)
- Panic attacks with physical symptoms
Warning Signs: When Is It an Emergency?
The following symptoms require an immediate call to the emergency services (112 in Europe, 911 in the USA):
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Absence of breathing or severe shortness of breath
- Sudden, severe chest pain
- One-sided paralysis, loss of speech, or facial drooping (signs of stroke)
- Severe bleeding that cannot be controlled
- Seizures
- Poisoning or drug overdose
First Aid in an Emergency
First aid provided in the first few minutes of an emergency can save lives. The following general principles apply:
- Stay calm and assess the situation before acting.
- Call emergency services: Dial 112 (Europe) and clearly state the location, nature, and number of people affected.
- Unconscious persons should be placed in the recovery position, provided there is no suspected spinal injury.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be started immediately if the person is not breathing: 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths – continue until help arrives.
- Control severe bleeding by applying firm pressure with a clean cloth or dressing.
- Avoid moving injured persons unnecessarily.
Professional Emergency Response
Upon arrival, paramedics and emergency physicians follow a structured assessment protocol known as the ABCDE approach:
- A – Airway: Secure the airway
- B – Breathing: Assess and support breathing
- C – Circulation: Stabilize circulation and control bleeding
- D – Disability: Assess neurological status
- E – Exposure: Full body examination and environmental factors
After initial stabilization, patients are transferred to emergency departments or specialized units such as intensive care or catheterization laboratories.
Emergency Numbers
- 112: Pan-European emergency number (fire, ambulance)
- 911: Emergency number in the United States and Canada
- 999: Emergency number in the United Kingdom
Prevention and Preparedness
Being prepared can reduce the impact of an emergency:
- Regularly refresh first aid training
- Keep a well-stocked first aid kit at home and in the car
- Keep a personal emergency information card with known allergies, medications, and blood type
- Manage chronic conditions consistently to reduce the risk of acute events
References
- European Resuscitation Council (ERC) – Guidelines for Resuscitation 2021. Available at: www.erc.edu
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Emergency Care. Available at: www.who.int/health-topics/emergency-care
- Tintinalli, J.E. et al. – Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.
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