Emergency response: what to do fast and what to keep handy

Emergencies happen without warning. What you do in the first few minutes can change the outcome. This page collects practical, plain-language advice for common medical emergencies and points you to helpful guides on medications, side effects, and home readiness.

Quick actions for common emergencies

Chest pain or suspected heart attack: call your local emergency number immediately. If someone is unconscious and not breathing, start CPR if you know how. For severe shortness of breath or sudden collapse, don’t wait—call emergency services right away.

Stroke signs (FAST): Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech trouble, Time to call. Keep the time of first symptoms written down; it matters for treatments that must be given quickly.

Severe bleeding: apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or dressing. If bleeding won’t stop, press hard and call for emergency help. Raise the injured area if it’s safe to do so.

Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis: for known severe allergies, use an epinephrine auto-injector immediately and call emergency services. Even if symptoms improve after a shot, you still need medical follow-up.

Asthma attack: use a quick-relief inhaler (salbutamol/Albuterol/Ventolin) right away. Sit the person upright, give repeated puffs as directed, and call emergency services if breathing doesn’t improve or if lips/fingernails turn blue. Our Ventolin guide explains dosages and safe use for quick reference.

Seizure: protect the person from injury, don’t put anything in their mouth, and time the seizure. If it lasts longer than five minutes, or if it’s the first seizure, seek emergency care.

Emergency kit and medication checklist

Keep a small, easy-to-grab emergency kit at home and in the car. Include: a list of current medications and allergies, a copy of prescriptions, a basic first-aid kit, an epinephrine auto-injector (if prescribed), a rescue inhaler, and heart medications if prescribed. Store medication instructions and emergency contacts with the kit.

Refill prescriptions early. Running out of critical meds—like blood pressure drugs, statins, or asthma inhalers—can create a preventable emergency. Use online pharmacy services to set reminders and arrange fast delivery. Our articles on Toprol, Vytorin, and statin side effects offer details on what to watch for and when to talk to your doctor.

If you or a loved one is managing chronic conditions, prepare a one-page health summary: current diagnoses, meds with doses, allergies, and your doctor’s contact. Keep a digital copy on your phone and a paper copy in your wallet or emergency kit.

Need more specific guides? Browse the articles tagged "emergency response" for practical how-tos on asthma care, heart meds, drug side effects, and safe medication use. Quick knowledge plus a ready kit will help you act calmly and fast when minutes count.