How to prepare for a medical emergency?

You can ask your regular physician for guidance and tips on preparing you and your family for a medical emergency. They will also explain about the emergency care available in your community.

The other steps you can take to prepare for a medical emergency include:

• Stocking first-aid kits at home, at work and in your car.
• Taking classes in CPR and first aid.
• Storing emergency numbers near the phone or in a place where it is easily accessible. This also includes storing an “in case of emergency” number in your cell phone for paramedics to reach out to when you cannot communicate on your own.
• Storing family medical information in an organised manner. This will include the history of surgeries, hospitalizations, serious illnesses and information on chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. Store these documents along with a list of regular doctors, to take with you to the emergency department.
• Maintaining a list of medications taken by family members.
• Storing pre-filled medical consent forms for your family, which will allow someone to authorize medical treatment in an emergency situation when you are unable to give consent.
• Learning the warning signs for medical emergencies.