Medical emergencies often present life-threatening situations that require immediate action. The most important step in any medical emergency is to notify emergency response personnel as quickly as possible.
Medical emergencies may be caused by any number of factors and could present many different signs and symptoms. Emergency scenarios may include difficulty breathing, choking, chest pain, heart attacks, unconsciousness, allergic reactions, low or high blood sugar levels, uncontrollable or profuse bleeding, heat exhaustion or stroke, seizures, fall from a significant height, significant trauma, and many other scenarios. If you witness or suspect someone is having a medical emergency or feel that you are experiencing a medical emergency, notify emergency personnel immediately.
What to Do
- Call
- On-Campus - Dial 911 or Appalachian Police (828-262-8000)
- Off-Campus - Dial 911.
- Provide as much information as possible
- Name of individual
- Location (be as specific as possible)
- Description of medical emergency
- Any known/pertinent medical history or information (ie: heart condition, epilepsy, etc...)
- Follow instructions of the emergency dispatcher
- Do not attempt to move the injured person unless they are in immediate danger
- Provide care to your level of training and comfort only if it is safe to do so
- Stay with the victim until emergency personnel arrive if it is safe to do so
More Information
Non-emergency
- On-campus: Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management (828-262-4008)
- Off-campus: The American Red Cross
Emergency
- On-Campus: Appalachian Police (828-262-8000) or 911
- Off-Campus: 911