Medical emergencies always catch us off guard. Seldom is someone prepared for sudden incidents, bearing the caliber to turn the life upside down. Disorientation and denial make their way, and one fails to process the next step.
Being prepared for any kind of medical emergency gives you an upper hand over the situation. With prior preparation, you are able to manage the situation in a better way.
If you are not yet prepared to deal with a medical emergency, here is how you should do that.
- Keep a first aid box handy
Make sure you have a well-equipped firstaid box in your home, as well as your workplace. The box should have an antiseptic cream or solution, gauze, cotton, roller bandage, adhesive plaster, thermometer, scissors, and other over-the-counter medications.
Also, your first aid box should always be easy-to-reach.
- Keep a list of personal details handy
Take a card and enlist all the essential details, like name, contact number, information, blood group, phone number of a friend or family member, medical condition you are suffering from, medications you are taking, your doctor’s name, and any other relevant information.
Make sure all your family members carry the same card with them.
- Know about the medical services and professionals near you
During a medical emergency, you may not have the time to visit your doctor, who lives miles away from you. Hence, you should know the medical professionals and services available near you.
Make a list of doctors and hospitals in your area and near your workplace. Note down their contact details. You can seek help from the websites that enlist the complete database of healthcare professionals along with other details, such as clinic or hospital address, timings, contact information, specialties, and more.
- Save important contacts on your phone
Your contact list should include the contact details of people you can call during an emergency, your family doctor, nearby doctors, and hospitals.
Also, download applications like Ambulnz, that offer emergency and non-emergency medical transportation.
- Maintain your medical record
Maintain a medical file containing your medical records. Keep all your old prescriptions and test reports including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc.,
Do not throw away old reports and prescriptions, you never know when you need them.
- Learn CPR
In several health emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, CPR proves to be a life-saver. Hence, take out some time and take basic training to learn CPR.
Instead of learning CPR online, visit any hospital that conducts basic life support courses. Also, educate yourself on the basic symptoms of commonly occurring medical emergencies including heart attack, seizures, stroke, burn, traumatic head injuries, breathing difficulties, etc.,
With some knowledge and basic life-saving skills, you can save someone’s life until professional help arrives.
- Buy a medical insurance
If you don’t have medical insurance, make sure you buy one as soon as possible. It is a fact that medical services are expensive. With medical insurance, you keep yourself financially prepared to deal with a medical emergency of any magnitude.
Reach out to your agent and select insurance that meets your needs. Also, go through the terms and conditions thoroughly before signing the papers.
The bottom line
Life is very unpredictable. Having a proactive approach towards emergency can help minimize the damage to a great extent. Hence, make sure you are always prepared for a medical emergency. And now that you know the right way to prepare for it, encourage your family members and friends to take the same route.
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