Emergency Preparedness Guide

Essential knowledge for crisis situations and medical emergencies

🚑

Medical Emergencies

Heart attack, stroke, allergic reactions

🌪️

Natural Disasters

Earthquake, flood, extreme weather

🧠

Mental Health Crisis

Panic attacks, suicidal thoughts

🩹

First Aid Basics

Bites, seizures, injuries

🚑 Medical Emergencies

❤️ Heart Attack

Symptoms:
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Pain in arms, back, neck
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea, cold sweat
Immediate Actions:
  1. Call emergency services immediately
  2. Have person sit down and rest
  3. Loosen tight clothing
  4. Give aspirin if available and not allergic
  5. Monitor breathing until help arrives

🩺 Stroke (FAST Method)

Remember FAST:
  • Face drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Speech difficulty
  • Time to call emergency
Immediate Actions:
  1. Call emergency immediately
  2. Note time symptoms started
  3. Keep person comfortable
  4. Do not give food or drink
  5. Monitor consciousness

⚠️ Severe Allergic Reaction

Symptoms:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of face/tongue
  • Hives or rash
  • Dizziness or fainting
Immediate Actions:
  1. Use epinephrine auto-injector if available
  2. Call emergency services
  3. Help person use inhaler if asthmatic
  4. Lie person flat with legs raised
  5. Monitor breathing continuously

🌡️ Heat Stroke

Symptoms:
  • High body temperature (104°F/40°C+)
  • Confusion or agitation
  • Flushed, hot, dry skin
  • Rapid breathing
  • Loss of consciousness
Immediate Actions:
  1. Call emergency services
  2. Move to cool place immediately
  3. Remove excess clothing
  4. Cool with water, ice packs, wet towels
  5. Do not give fluids if confused/unconscious

🩹 First Aid Basics

🐍 Animal/Insect Bites

Immediate Actions:
  1. Wash wound with soap and water
  2. Apply pressure to stop bleeding
  3. Cover with clean bandage
  4. Seek medical attention for:
    • Snake bites
    • Unknown animal bites
    • Signs of infection
Prevention:

Avoid unknown animals, wear protective clothing in wilderness areas

⚡ Seizures

Do:
  • Clear area of dangerous objects
  • Cushion head with soft material
  • Time the seizure
  • Roll person on side after seizure ends
  • Stay with person until fully alert
Don't:
  • Restrain the person
  • Put anything in mouth
  • Give food/drink until fully alert

🍎 Food Poisoning

Symptoms:
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Fever
Treatment:
  1. Stay hydrated with water and electrolytes
  2. Rest as much as possible
  3. Avoid solid foods until vomiting stops
  4. Seek medical help if:
    • Blood in vomit/stool
    • Fever over 101.5°F (38.6°C)
    • Dehydration signs

💧 Dehydration

Symptoms:
  • Extreme thirst
  • Dry mouth and skin
  • Fatigue and dizziness
  • Dark yellow urine
  • Rapid heartbeat
Treatment:
  1. Drink water slowly
  2. Use oral rehydration solutions
  3. Rest in cool place
  4. Seek medical help if:
    • No urine for 8+ hours
    • Rapid pulse
    • Confusion or fainting

🧠 Mental Health Crisis

😰 Panic Attack

Symptoms:
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of losing control
  • Fear of dying
How to Help:
  1. Stay calm and speak slowly
  2. Guide slow, deep breathing
  3. Move to quiet space
  4. Offer water
  5. Stay with person until attack passes

🆘 Suicidal Thoughts

Immediate Response:
  1. Call emergency services or suicide hotline
  2. Do not leave person alone
  3. Remove any potential means of self-harm
  4. Listen without judgment
  5. Express concern and support
Global Hotlines:

🌪️ Natural Disasters

🏢 Earthquake

During Earthquake:
  1. Drop, Cover, and Hold On
  2. Get under sturdy furniture
  3. Stay away from windows
  4. If outdoors, move to open area
  5. If driving, pull over and stay in vehicle
Preparation:
  • Emergency kit with 3-day supplies
  • Family communication plan
  • Know safe spots in each room

🌊 Flood

During Flood:
  1. Move to higher ground immediately
  2. Do not walk or drive through flood waters
  3. Evacuate when instructed
  4. Stay away from electrical equipment
  5. Listen to emergency broadcasts
Preparation:
  • Know evacuation routes
  • Elevate electrical appliances
  • Store important documents waterproof

⏳ While Waiting for Emergency Help

📞 After Calling Emergency

  • Stay on the line with dispatcher
  • Follow their instructions exactly
  • Keep emergency lines clear
  • Send someone to wait for responders

🩺 Basic Life Support

  • Check breathing every 2 minutes
  • Keep person warm with blankets
  • Do not move unless in immediate danger
  • Have person's medications ready

📋 Information to Provide

  • Exact location with landmarks
  • Person's age and condition
  • What happened and when
  • Any known medical conditions
  • Medications being taken

📚 Additional Resources

World Health Organization Global health emergencies and guidelines Red Cross First Aid Training Certified first aid and CPR courses CDC Emergency Preparedness Disaster preparation and response Mental Health First Aid Mental health crisis training

📥 Download Emergency Guides

🩹

First Aid Basics

PDF Guide • 2.1 MB
📞

Emergency Contacts Sheet

PDF Guide • 1.5 MB
🏠

Disaster Preparedness

PDF Guide • 3.2 MB