$Unique_ID{PAR00011}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Preparing For Emergencies}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Emergency Emergencies first aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR
phone numbers}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Preparing For Emergencies


     In most situations involving your child's health, becoming knowledgeable
about health and nutrition and obtaining the best professional advice you can
on health matters win stand you in good stead.  But there is always the chance
of an emergency when no trained medical personnel are available and when a
book--no matter how good--cannot answer your every question.

LEARNING WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

     Studies have shown that every person will be involved in an emergency
situation at least twice in his life.  In such a situation, knowing what to
do--and what not to do--can mean the difference between life and death.  That
is why it is recommended that everyone (and especially every parent) should
take a course in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Such a course in CPR is available in virtually every town in the United
States.  Call your local chapter of the American Heart Association or the
American Red Cross for further information.

GETTING HELP IN AN EMERGENCY

     Knowing when to call for help is an important consideration in an
emergency.  In some situations, if you are the first person on the scene, your
efforts must be devoted to the victim, and calling for medical assistance must
wait until certain steps have been carried out or until a second person
arrives.  In less urgent situations, a call for help may be the appropriate
first step.  An approved first-aid class will teach you to differentiate
between these situations. (The "Emergency Quick Reference" pages in this book
[certain individual sections of the Medical Guide on this disk] will indicate
when it is appropriate to summon help.)
     Knowing whom to call for help is the next consideration in an emergency.
In general, don't waste time by calling your doctor--in a true emergency, his
or her first instruction may well be to call an ambulance or paramedic squad.
Post a list of emergency phone numbers near all phones in the house.  That
list should include the number for the paramedic squad, the local poison
control center, the nearest major hospital with a fully equipped emergency
department (ask your physician for a recommendation if you are uncertain), and
the police and fire departments.  Be certain that these phone numbers are
current and accurate before you ever have to use them.
     If you do have to call one of those emergency numbers, remember to give
all the necessary information--location, nature of the emergency, telephone
number--before breaking the connection.