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In Case of Emergency

Use this guide to learn how to handle emergency situations on campus

In case of medical emergencies it is essential to remain calm and to protect yourself. Before you enter a scene ensure it is safe from risk of fire, electricity, traffic, smoke, water, poisonous gases, etc. Your personal safety takes precedence!
Be sure to call 911, notify EMRG or Campus Police, or call the emergency number at 416-287-7333 as soon as possible.
When calling 911 or the emergency number be sure to notify the dispatchers about:
  • Which Emergency service you require (i.e. Police, EMS, or Fire)
  • The nature of the emergency
  • The address or location and main intersection
  • The telephone number you are calling from
  • Your name
If you are with the victim during the emergency try to remain with the patient so EMRG and related emergency services are able to obtain as much information as possible.
Do not move the victim unless necessary to save his or her life or to prevent further injury.

Police Emergencies

What is a police emergency?

Some examples of what constitutes as a police emergency are:
  • A crime in progress
  • Suspicious person
  • Child or elderly missing person
  • Personal injury

Fire Emergencies

What is a fire emergency?

Some examples of what constitutes as a fire emergency are:
  • Presence of smoke
  • Presence of fire
  • Presence of toxic fumes
What to do?
  • Get everyone out of the building/area
  • Pull the fire alarm
Be sure to state the area you are calling from and give the address when calling 911

Heart Attacks

Prevention - Learn to reduce the risk

  • Quit smoking
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat properly
  • Reduce stress
  • Have your blood pressure checked regularly

Symptoms - Watch for these signs

Note that a conscious heart attack patient can usually speak with you
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Ashen skin colour
  • Weakness

Bleeding & Shock

Shock

Shock is a serious, often life-threatening medical condition where insufficient blood flow reaches the body tissues
  • Act immediately
  • Keep patient lying down
  • Reassure patient
  • Elevate patient's legs
  • Keep patient warm but be careful to avoid overheating
  • Watch patient carefully
  • DO NOT give the patient anything to drink - especially alcohol

External bleeding

Apply direct pressure to the wound - in case of impaled objects apply pressure in areas surrounding the wound
Remember the acronym R-E-D:
  • Rest patient
  • Elevate wounded limb
  • Direct pressure on wound

Poisoning

What do I do in a case of poisoning?

Unless you are certain of the poison and know the correct treatment DO NOT induce vomiting
Call the poison control immediately at:
(416) 813-5900
OR
Toll Free: 1-800-268-9017
If there are any signs of distress call 911

Ambulance Emergencies

What do I do in case of an ambulance emergency?

Remember
  • The ambulance can't help you if they can't find you
  • STAY CALM - give clear information
  • Clear a path to the victim - move furniture, unlock doors, etc.
  • If possible have someone meet the ambulance
Be prepared to answer questions relating to the victim's level of:
  • Consciousness
  • Breathing
  • Bleeding

Unconsciousness

What do I do if I come across someone unconscious?

  • If a spinal injury is suspected shout into a victim's ear for a response - DO NOT SHAKE THE VICTIM
  • If a spinal injury is not suspected shake the shoulders and shout in the ear for a response
  • If there is no response:
    1. Open the airway, push forehead back and hold
    2. Look into the mouth, if any obstructions can be seen at the back of the throat attempt to remove it with your fingers
    3. Remove dentures only if loose

LOOK, LISTEN AND FEEL FOR BREATHING

If patient is not breathing, give mouth to mouth resuscitation (one breath every 5 seconds)
If patient is breathing place him or her in the recovery position to prevent choking

Choking

If the patient is coughing or can speak - DO NOTHING

Infants

  • Place infant over your arm with head lower than body
  • Deliver five back blows
  • Deliver five chest thrusts
IF UNSUCCESSFUL - REPEAT

Children & Adults

If the patient cannot breath or speak to you TAKE ACTION:
  • Reassure the patient
  • Support their body
  • Landmark and apply abdominal thrusts
  • Repeat until object is expelled

Seizures & Stroke

Care for seizures

  • DO NOT attempt to restrain the patient
  • DO NOT attempt to force anything between patient's teeth
  • Remove any objects in the surrounding area which the patient may strike and causing personal injury
  • When the seizure is over place patient in the recovery position

Strokes

Signs & Symptoms:
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion
  • Paralysis of face or limbs
Recognize signs and CALL 911

Burns & Breaks

Care for burns

  • DO NOT remove any material stuck to the skin
  • Cover area of burn with a clean, water moistened dressing
  • Apply clean water to dressed burn to cool as required
  • Never put any medication on burn unless a doctor directs you to do so
  • DO NOT use creams, lotions, butter, etc.

Broken bones

Signs & Symptoms:
  • Patient heard bone "snap"
  • Deformity and pain at site of injury
  • Impaired movement of limb
Action:
  • Immobilize the injury site
  • Help patient find a comfortable position
  • Control bleeding if necessary