• Practice taking pulses and giving artificial respirations before an emergency occurs. Sign up for a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The local American Red Cross can tell you about CPR courses in your area.
• Keep a first aid kit handy at home and in each car. Make sure the family knows where to find them.
• Prior to emergency find out what services your health insurance company covers.
• Prior to emergency find out what procedures you have to follow to get emergency care.
• Carry this information with you at all times:

-Your name, address, phone number

-The numbers to call in case of an emergency.
-Your health insurance information
-Important medical information

-List of medications and allergies

• Emergency transportation should be by ambulance if at all possible except in cases where only minor injuries are involved.  Improper transportation can result in further injury.  Call 911 Immediately.
• Only people who have successfully completed a certified course in the technique should administer CPR.
• In any emergency quick action is necessary. Latex gloves should be worn when in a situation where you may come in contact with a victim's body fluids, blood or any object that is soiled with body fluid or blood. If latex gloves are not available use a plastic waterproof type of material. This will help prevent organisms from entering your body that may be harmful to you.
• Cover the victim's wound with a dressing or gauze.
• When administering rescue breathing, use a mouth to mouth barrier if possible.
• Wash your hands immediately after handling the victim.

What to tell a medical facility about your emergency:

• Report whether or not you came in contact with someone else's blood or any body fluids
• Type of pain
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Head injury
• Skin problems such as:  discoloration, rash, peeling, burns, cold hands or feet, hives.
• Stomach problems such as:  nausea or vomiting, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn
• Breathing problems such as:  asthma, bronchitis, coughing, chest pain
• Muscle or joint problems such as:  stiffness, swelling or soreness, broken bones, back or neck pain
• Any medications, prescriptions or over the counter drugs
• Allergies
• Eye, ear, nose or throat problems such as:
  earaches, hearing loss, nosebleeds, pinkeye, sore throat, tinnitus (ringing of the ear)