SOS: dealing with emergencies

Posted on 10 September 2014

Dr Brian Gutuza, the head of the emergency centre at Mediclinic Cape Town, shares advice on dealing with five dangerous accidents.

1. What should I do if someone faints?
Try to prevent him or her from getting hurt when falling. Put the patient in a horizontal position on a bed or the floor, with their head flat to allow blood to flow freely to the head. He or she should wake up within a few seconds. If it doesn’t look like a normal fainting spell or the person appears seriously ill, call an ambulance immediately. The number for ER24 is 084 124.

2. I’ve burnt my hand on the stove – should I go to the hospital?
First aid is the most important first step. Keep your hand under cool running water for 15 to 20 minutes even if there is no blistering. This will prevent damage to the deep skin sections that cause scarring and other complications. If there are blisters or you are experiencing unbearable pain, you must go to the hospital for further assessment. Avoid drinking and eating, and wrapping the burn in cling wrap or a clean towel if you need to go to hospital. Don’t use ice or frozen peas because the freezing is harmful to the skin.

3. How do I help someone who appears to be choking?
If the person is coughing or is able to speak, let him or her settle down without interfering. Take him or her to the nearest doctor or hospital if the problem persists. If he or she can’t speak because of an obstructed airway, then you can attempt the Heimlich manoeuvre on an adult or backslaps and chest thrusts on a small child. This procedure is taught in basic life support and first-aid courses and it’s advisable to do this training if you want to be able to help someone who may choke one day.

4. How deep should a cut be before I seek treatment?
Even minor cuts can become infected. Clean them with a lot of tap water and ensure that your tetanus vaccinations are up to date (every five to 10 years). If the wound is gaping, even a little bit, or won’t stop bleeding then you should seek medical advice. Take special care with wounds on the face (these have cosmetic implications) and hands – in case of nerve, tendon or vessel damage.

5. If I suspect a child has ingested a poisonous substance, how should I react?
Stay calm. Call a poison advice service such as the Red Cross Children’s Hospital on 021 689 5227 immediately. Don’t induce vomiting. You can take your child to the nearest emergency centre for an examination and further treatment if he or she looks ill or if you’ve been instructed to do so by the poison advice line. Take the container along to help identify the suspected poisonous substance.

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The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.