The Basics Of Emergency Response – Check, Call, Care
Every emergency is different, but there are still some similarities in how you should respond if you find yourself in an emergency situation. When time is of the essence during an emergency, it can be hard to know what to do, which is why the Red Cross and other medical groups like to remind people of a simple phrase that can help in the event of an emergency, and that’s “Check, Call, Care.”
In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the three C’s of emergency response.
The Three C’s Of Emergency Response
As we mentioned above, every emergency situation is different, but if you allow the three C’s to guide you in your decision making, odds are you’ll be providing crucial help when it’s needed most. The three C’s are:
Check – The first thing you should do if you find yourself in an emergency situation is to check the scene. If you rush into a scene without accounting for danger, you or the person you are assisting could end up in harm’s way. For example, if an emergency develops in a busy road or you suspect that someone has been electrocuted, survey the scene and ensure you’re not rushing into danger. If possible, eliminate the potential threats to safety.
Next, check on the victim. Are they conscious or unconscious? Check if they are breathing to see if you’ll need to perform CPR. But before you start performing life saving measures, it’s best to get the professionals en route to your position. Move onto the next step and..
Call – The next C stands for “Call,” and as you might have guessed, it means to call 911. The 911 dispatcher will quickly take the details of the situation and get the appropriate personnel sent out to your location. They’ll also ask you about the victim, which is why it’s helpful to quickly assess the situation during the check stage to see if they are unconscious, alert or breathing.
This call is also extremely beneficial for you as the first person on the scene, because the dispatcher will provide additional information that can be of assistance. They can walk you through how to perform CPR or whether or not prescription medication would be helpful for the victim given their current situation. If others are on the scene and are not needed for medical assistance, you can have them stand in a helpful location to work on directing first responders to the scene when they arrive. Until first responders arrive on scene, you’ll want to provide…
Care – The final C on this list stands for “Care.” After you’ve surveyed the scene and called for professional help, it’s time to do what you can for the victim until the medical team shows up. Provide care the best way possible, and if you’re unsure what to do, ask the dispatcher who you’ll still have on the phone. Care may simply be waiting with the conscious individual until paramedics arrive, or it may involve addressing a wound or providing CPR. You simply want to help as best you can until the medical professionals get there, and they’ll do the rest when they get to the scene.
If you can remember to Check, Call and Care, we’re confident that you’ll be able to provide essential medical assistance during a crisis. And if that emergency takes place in the Fox Valley area, the team at Gold Cross Ambulance Service will quickly respond and work to provide the highest level of care. For more information, or for answers to any questions you might have, reach out to our team today at (920) 727-3020.
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