Medical

Action Guidelines

Asthma Attack:

• Help the person sit in a comfortable position and take their medication.
• Call 911 if the attack becomes severe, they don’t have their medication or they don’t improve with medication.

Bleeding:

• Have the person apply firm steady pressure to the bleeding wound for 5–10 minutes with a clean cloth or paper towel. Assist in applying pressure if the person is unable to do so.
• If bleeding is pulsatile (spurting in time with the heart beat), very heavy, or persists despite pressure, call 911 immediately.
• Have person lie down. If the person is bleeding heavily from an arm or leg, elevate their arm or leg above heart level.
• Stay with person until help arrives.

Burns - Chemical:

• If you are SURE the chemical does not react with water, immediately flush the chemical away from skin or eyes with cool running water for 15 minutes.
• Remove any contaminated clothing or jewelry.
• Seek immediate medical attention if the chemical burns involve the eye, hand, foot, face, groin or buttocks or if there is continued burning or pain after flushing.

Burns - Thermal:

• First degree burns cause skin redness and pain. They can be treated with cool compresses or water.
• Seek immediate medical attention if the burns result in one or more of the following:
  • Cause severe pain
  • Blistering
  • Involves hands, feet, face, eyes, groin or buttocks.
  • Are larger than 2 inches
  • Appear charred, black, or dry

Choking:

• If person is coughing, speaking, or able to breathe, do nothing. Stay with the person, encourage them to cough, and be prepared to help if their condition worsens.
• If the person is conscious but unable to cough, speak or breathe:
  • Call 911.
  • Hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades 5 times to dislodge the object.
  • Give them 5 abdominal thrusts and repeat until the object has been forced out.

Heart Attack:

• The person may have persistent vice-like chest pain, or isolated unexplained discomfort in arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach.
• Call 911 immediately.
• Make sure they are in a position that is comfortable for them (e.g. sit them on the floor, leaning against a wall or chair) while waiting for emergency responders.
• If the person becomes unconscious, follow the guidelines for unconscious individual.

Heat Stroke:

• The person’s skin may be hot or red, and may also be dry or moist; they may be experiencing changes in consciousness, as well as vomiting and a high body temperature.
• Call 911 immediately.
• Move the person to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person.
• If conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure they drink slowly.
• If needed, continue rapid cooling by applying ice or cold packs wrapped in a cloth to the wrists, ankles, groin, neck and armpits.
• For more information on heat safety tips, visit miamidade.gov/global/economy/environment/heat-safety-tips.page.
• Access the Student Health Services Website at studenthealth.studentaffairs.miami.edu. 

Poisoning:

• Establish what they have taken. When? And how much?
• As soon as possible, call the Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
• Do not make the person sick or give them anything to drink unless advised to do so by the Poison Information Center.
• Call 911 if there is change in behavior, they become unconscious or have difficulty breathing.

Seizures (convulsions):

• Call 911.
• Move objects away which may injure the person during the seizure.
• If possible, roll the person gently onto their side and support them.
• Do not try to restrain the person or place anything in their mouth.

Unconscious Individual:

• Call 911.
• If you are trained in CPR, evaluate the unresponsive person and act according to protocols.
• If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, follow AED instructions for further actions.