"Someone" Call 911!

Early access to advanced medical care is the 4th link in the Cardiac Chain of Survival.  But, as the old saying goes, “Your only as strong as your weakest link”.  In an emergency event you will want to be VERY SPECIFIC when you tell “Someone” to call 911.  Point to a bystander and say, “You, in the red shirt, go call 911 and and get an AED.  Come back, I might need help” or if you know the person call them by name, “FRANK, call 911…”  Being specific will help prevent bystanders from assuming that others in the crowd are making the call for help when in fact no one makes the critical call for help.

Another important part of this skill is to send someone to meet the emergency services personnel when they arrive.  This person will guide the emergency responders back to the victim’s location.  He or she should also tell them to drive around to a different location if it provides quicker or easier access to the victim(s).  This will help save precious seconds when every moment counts.

Finally, maintain your composure and remain calm.  While sometimes easier said than done, maintaining calm will help you think clearly and assess and prioritize care.  If necessary, attempt to quiet and calm others in the crowd if possible.  Yelling, screaming and panic will cause chaos in your emergency scene.  Grab a bystander and ask that person to try and calm the scene or remove hysterical people from the area.  Loud screaming and crying may make hearing the 911 operator or sounds of breathing difficult.

So what did we learn?

1.  Be specific when you direct someone to call 911;

2.  Send someone out to meet the emergency personnel to guide them back to the scene;

3.  Try to maintain your composure and keep bystanders calm.

If you’d like to register for a Bystander CPR or Healthcare Provider / Professional Rescuer CPR class in the Temecula, Murrieta, Riverside, Fallbrook or Riverside area, no problem, visit www.TemeculaCPR.com or call us at 1-800-CPR-CAMP.  Looking for OSHA safety training classes, consulting or forklift training?  Visit www.Askthesafetyman.com today. Classroom, onsite and online training programs available.