Emergencies

By Rod Brouhard, About.com Guide to First Aid

Most first aid training classes focus on emergencies, those moments when a rescuer's intervention truly means the difference between life and death. Saving a life could be as dramatic as doing CPR, but almost always starts with a call to 911.

1. Techniques for Life-Threatening Emergencies
2. Calling for Help
3. Heart Attacks
4. Strokes and Seizures

5. Shortness of Breath
6. Poisoning
7. Heat Illness

Techniques for Life-Threatening Emergencies

If you suspect a life-threatening emergency, call 911. The following are the techniques for those life-threatening emergencies where seconds truly count and treatment should start before an ambulance arrives. These should be followed in addition to calling 911.

• Hands Only Adult CPR (no breaths)
• Adult CPR (with breaths)
• Child CPR (1 - 8 years old)
• Infant CPR (Under 1 year old)

• Adult and Child Choking
• Video: How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver
• Infant Choking
• Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)

Calling for Help

Getting help during a life-threatening emergency should be as easy as calling 911, and it is. But sometimes, 911 can be more confusing than it should be.

• All About 911
• Calling 911 on a Cell Phone
• Tips to Get the Most Out of 911
• When to Call 911

Heart Attacks

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart attacks can happen suddenly, but don't have to be fatal. Recognizing a heart attack and reacting quickly can save a life.

• Symptoms of a Heart Attack
• Heart Attack Facts or Fiction?
• Don't Take Chest Pain to the Doctor's Office
• Women and Heart Attacks

Strokes and Seizures

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and there is almost no way to predict them. Advances in emergency medical care make strokes much more treatable, but you only have a small window of time to get help.

• Stroke Symptoms
• Difference Between Heart Attack and Stroke
• How to Manage a Seizure

Shortness of Breath

There are few worse feelings than shortness of breath. Severe shortness of breath is a life-threatening emergency.

• Shortness of Breath Causes
• Paper Bags and Hyperventilation
• Shortness of Breath Symptoms
• Deep Vein Thrombosis

Poisoning

There are plenty of toxic chemicals around the house that can lead to serious poisoning.

• Household Poisons
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Pesticides
• Rat Poison
• Mixing Bleach and Ammonia

Heat Illness

Too much sun and too much heat can lead to life-threatening illness. Learn to recognize and respond to heat illness.

• Heat Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke
• Dehydration
• Water Toxicity