Health emergencies can occur without warning, making preparedness essential for every family. The ability to respond promptly and effectively can be life-saving. Understanding common health emergencies, assembling a comprehensive emergency kit, and maintaining accessible emergency contacts and medical information are crucial steps in safeguarding your loved ones.
Common Health Emergencies
Being informed about potential health emergencies is the first step toward effective preparedness. Here are some common health emergencies that families should be prepared for:
1. Chest Pain
Chest pain may indicate a heart attack or other serious conditions. If someone experiences chest pain:
Dial 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
If the person is alert, not allergic to aspirin, and has no contraindications, they should chew and swallow either one adult 325-mg tablet or two to four low-dose (81 mg) tablets. This recommendation is supported by the 2020 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), the American Heart Association, and the American Red Cross.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, call for help and seek assistance from someone trained in CPR. If no trained responder is available, begin CPR yourself. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is accessible, have someone retrieve it and follow the instructions while continuing chest compressions.
2. Burns
Burns can range from minor to severe. For first-degree (superficial) and small second-degree (partial-thickness) burns:
Hold the affected area under cool (not cold) running water for at least 10 minutes.
Protect the burn by covering it with a clean, non-stick sterile dressing.
Avoid home remedies. Do not apply ice, butter, or ointments to the burn.
For third-degree (full-thickness) burns or if the burn is large, deep, or involves the face, hands, feet, or genitals, seek emergency medical help immediately.
3. Choking
If someone is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe:
Perform the Heimlich Maneuver
For Adults and Children Over One Year:
Stand Behind the Person: Place your arms around their waist.
Make a Fist: Place it just above their navel.
Perform Abdominal Thrusts: Press inward and upward forcefully until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.
For Infants Under One Year:
Give Back Blows: Hold the infant face down on your forearm, support their head, and deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
Give Chest Thrusts: If back blows are ineffective, turn the infant face up and provide five chest thrusts using two fingers placed on the center of the chest just below the nipple line.
If the person becomes unresponsive, call 911 and begin CPR.
4. Asthma Attacks
During an asthma attack:
Sit the person upright. Keep them calm and comfortable.
Assist them in using their prescribed quick-relief inhaler (usually a blue/grey puffer).
Follow the 4x4x4 Method:
Shake the Inhaler: Give one puff into a spacer.
Inhale: Have the person take four breaths from the spacer.
Repeat: Give four puffs, with four breaths after each puff.
Wait: After four minutes, if there's no improvement, repeat the process.
If symptoms persist, worsen, or if the person is unable to speak or becomes drowsy, call 911 immediately.
5. Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis)
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Signs include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, and hives.
According to the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS UK), if an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) is available, use it immediately by injecting it into the outer mid-thigh. If symptoms persist after five minutes and emergency help has not yet arrived, administer a second dose.
Dial 911 immediately.
Monitor the person and keep them lying flat with their legs elevated unless this makes breathing difficult.
Emergency Contacts and Medical Information in the Philippines
Having an organized and accessible list of emergency contacts and medical information is particularly vital due to various factors like the country's geographic location, where natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes are common. Having a plan in place can save precious time and potentially lives during emergencies.
In the Philippines, emergency numbers such as 911 for medical services or fire emergencies and 143 for Philippine Red Cross assistance should be saved in your mobile phone and displayed prominently at home. It is also important to have the contact details of nearby hospitals, clinics, and ambulance services on hand, especially in rural or disaster-prone areas where access to medical facilities might be delayed.
Aside from health professionals, it is crucial to list personal emergency contacts like family members or trusted neighbors who can help provide consent for treatment or assist during an emergency.
Being proactive in health emergency preparedness is not just about being ready, it’s about protecting your loved ones. Health preparedness goes beyond just emergency plans—it includes taking proactive steps to stay well. Regular medical check-ups help catch potential health issues early. With a DA Healthwise annual health plan, you can consult with doctors 24/7 at a discounted rate for just ₱99/year, ensuring easy access to medical advice whenever you need it.
Unlike traditional health insurance plans with fixed monthly fees, DA Healthwise operates on a pay-per-use basis. This means you only pay for doctor consultations when you need them, eliminating the burden of monthly premiums.
DA Healthwise subscribers will get discounted rates on all video consultations with a variety of healthcare professionals, all conveniently accessible through the Doctor Anywhere app:
General Practitioners (GPs): Consult with licensed primary care physicians such as general practitioners, internal medicine doctors, or family medicine practitioners 24/7, on-demand or by appointment, including holidays, with wait times under 5 minutes, for only ₱509 (originally priced at ₱550).
Specialists: Get expert consultations with various specialists starting from ₱649 (originally priced at ₱699 or ₱799)
₱649/video consult with the following specialists: dermatologists, ENT specialists (otorhinolaryngologists), general surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists (ob-gyn), ophthalmologists (eye specialists), orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, or urologists
₱749/video consult with the following specialists: cardiologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, infectious disease specialists, nephrologists, oncologists, pulmonologists, or rheumatologists
Mental Health Experts: Access confidential online sessions with psychologists for just ₱1,439 (originally priced at ₱1,499).
If you subscribe to DA Healthwise, you can also enjoy exclusive perks from Doctor Anywhere's health and wellness partner merchants, including:
MyHealth Clinic: FREE one-time Primary Care Physician Wellness Check at any clinic branch
Metro Dental: FREE one-time dental check-up
Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics Center: FREE eye consultation and comprehensive eye screening
Have an HMO or health insurance?
Link your membership account for fully covered video consultations for you and your dependents. Doctor Anywhere’s accredited health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and insurance providers include COCOLIFE Healthcare, EastWest Healthcare, Etiqa, Flexicare, Fortune Life, Forticare, Generali, Health Maintenance, Inc. (HMI), Lacson & Lacson Insurance Brokers, Manulife HealthFlex, Manulife China Bank HealthFlex, Maxicare, Medicare Plus, and WellCare Health Maintenance. Tap here to learn more about Doctor Anywhere’s HMOs and insurance partners.
Exclusive Promo Codes: Save on Your First Video Consultation
Our healthcare providers are available daily, including weekends and holidays, ensuring you get the care you need anytime. General practitioners are available 24/7, on-demand, with an average wait time of 5 minutes, or by appointment. Our mental health experts and specialists are also available daily by appointment.
Download the free Doctor Anywhere app and use a promo code on your first video consultation to save:
Save ₱30 on your first video consultation with a general practitioner. Use *promo code DACONSULT30.
Save ₱30 on your first video consultation with a specialist. Use **promo code DAEXPERTCARE.
Save ₱50 on your first online session with a mental health expert. Use ^promo code DAMENTALHEALTH.
Make the most out of your doctor appointments! Tap here for key reminders to help you prepare for your video consultations.
One-time use per account for the first video consultation. Valid for new Doctor Anywhere users who haven’t had a video consultation yet. Promo runs from Jan. 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2025. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-192282 Series of 2024. *Promo runs from May 1, 2024 - Apr. 30, 2025. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-192282 Series of 2024. ^Promo runs from June 3, 2024 to June 2, 2025. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-194645 Series of 2024. Visit https://www.doctoranywhere.ph/promos-and-discounts for more information.
Sources:
2. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/24/contact-info-of-key-govt-agencies-in-case-of-emergency-1937
Comments