American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [117]
Drowning
Call or have someone call 911 or your local emergency number, or send someone for help. Do not move the person if you think he or she may have a neck injury (see page 167). If you must move the person, always keep his or her head, neck, and body in alignment (see page 169).
If the person is breathing, place the person on his or her side, preferably with the head slightly backward (to open the airway) and lower than the body (to drain fluids). Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. Keep the person warm, but do not massage the skin because massaging can worsen any muscle damage.
If the person is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately (see previous page). The air you breathe into the person’s lungs will pass through any water in the lungs. Continue mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until medical help arrives or until the person is breathing on his or her own. If the person’s heart has stopped beating, perform CPR if you have had CPR training.
Heart Attack
A heart attack (see page 567) is a life-threatening emergency that results from a lack of blood and oxygen to a portion of the heart muscle, usually caused by a narrowing or obstruction of one of the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle. If a part of the heart muscle is deprived of blood and oxygen for too long, it will die. A person’s chances of surviving a heart attack decrease 10 percent for every minute that elapses without treatment.
Automated External Defibrillators
A lifesaving device called an automated external defibrillator (AED) can shock the heart from an abnormal rhythm back to a normal rhythm. AEDs are increasingly being made available in public places such as airports, schools, and shopping malls. They are intended for use by nonmedical personnel and can be used by anyone without prior training (although AED classes are available in most communities). The devices come with written and audio instructions. An AED is easier to use and more effective than cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The AED first checks the person’s heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. The AED will not administer a shock unless the person needs it. In addition, the AED will work even if the pads aren’t placed in the exact position. Always ask if an AED is available if you think someone may be having or may have had a heart attack.
Symptoms of a heart attack include constant pain (which may last several minutes) or a sensation of tightness or pressure in the center of the chest; chest pain or discomfort that moves from the chest to an arm or shoulder or to the neck, jaw, back, or abdomen; profuse sweating; nausea or vomiting; anxiety; pale skin or bluish nails or lips; weakness; dizziness; and difficulty breathing.
If you think someone may be having a heart attack:
1. Call or have someone call 911 or your local emergency number, or send someone for help. Tell emergency personnel that the person may be having a heart attack.
2. Find out if there is an automated external defibrillator (AED) available where you are. Take the person immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department after following steps 3, 4, or 5 below.
3. If the person is conscious, help the person into a comfortable sitting position (lying down may make breathing difficult) and (if the person is not allergic to aspirin) give him or her an aspirin. Chewable aspirin is best, but you can have him or her chew a regular aspirin. Don’t give him or her anything else to eat or drink. Loosen any tight clothing and keep the person calm, comfortable, and warm.
4. If the person is unconscious and not breathing and an AED is not available, start CPR if you have had CPR training. Start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately (see page 156) until breathing has been restored or until medical help arrives.
5. If the person is unconscious and not breathing and an AED is available, open the person’s clothing and place the electrode pads on the person’s chest as directed on the machine—one pad on the person’s upper right side (between