Medical Emergencies

Don’t guess. If uncertain, call 911 for assistance.
 

Unconscious Adult:

  1. Call 911 for emergencies.
  2. Call the Department of Public Safety at 541-346-6666 for assistance.
  3. If you are trained in CPR evaluate the unresponsive person and act according to protocols.
  4. If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available follow AED instructions for further actions.
  5. Stay with the person until emergency personnel arrive.

Choking:

  1. If person is coughing, speaking or able to breathe do nothing. Stay with the person, encourage them to cough, and be prepared to help if they become worse
  2. If the person is conscious but unable to cough, speak or breathe:
  • Have someone call 911
  • Give 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts. Continue to alternate 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts until obstruction is dislodged.
  • To perform back blows bend the person forward slightly at the waist and support them while delivering 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of you hand.
  • To perform abdominal thrusts stand behind the person and wrap your arms around them so that your hands are located near the top of their stomach below the ribcage. Place your fist over their upper stomach below the ribs and grasp your fist with the other hand. Thrust inward and upward. 

Bleeding:    

  1. Have the person aply firm steady pressure to the bleeding wound for 5 – 10 minutes with a clean cloth or paper towel. Assist in applying pressure if the person is unable to do so.
  2. If bleeding is pulsatile (spurting in time with the heart beat), very heavy, or persists despite pressure call 911 immediately.
  3. Have person lie down. If the person is bleeding heavily from an arm or leg, elevate their arm or leg above heart level.
  4. Stay with person until help arrives.

Seuzures (Convulsions):

  1. Do not leave the person. Move objects away which might injure the person during the seizure.
  2. If possible, roll the person gently onto their side and support them. Do not try to restrain the seizure or place anything in their mouth.
  3. Call 911.

Chemical Burns

  • Immediately flush the chemical away from skin or eyes with cool running water for 15 minutes.
  • Remove any contaminated clothing or jewelry.
  • Seek immediate medical attention if the chemical burns involve the eye, hand, foot, face, groin or buttocks or if there is continued burning or pain after flushing.

Thermal Burns

  • Thermal burns are caused by heat (e.g., a hot stove, hot grease, the sun)
  • First degree burns cause skin redness and pain. They can be treated with cool compresses.
  • Second degree burns cause redness, blistering of the skin and increased pain. If second degree burns involve hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks; or are larger than 2 inches; or cause severe pain seek immediate medical attention.
  • Third degree burns are full-thickness burns which involve all layers of the skin. The burned area may appear charred, black or dry. Typically they do not cause pain due to destruction of pain-sensitive nerves. Third degree burns require immediate emergency medical attention.

Body Fluid Exposure

  • Body fluids can transmit numerous serious diseases including hepatitis and HIV. Report any exposure to body fluids to Environmental Health & Safety immediately at 541-346-3192.


Work-Related Injury

  • Follow standard UO reporting practices for all work-related injuries. Refer to the UO Workers’ Compensation website  for information and forms.  Call Environmental Health & Safety at 541-346-3192 with any questions.