How to Handle the Most Common Emergencies

Stay calm. Act fast. Focus on the basics. Here are the essential first aid actions for the emergencies people face most often.

Signs to Watch For

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
• Unresponsiveness
• Sudden confusion or slurred speech
• Deep burns or major trauma

What to Do

1. Check the scene — make sure it’s safe
2. Check the person — responsiveness, breathing, bleeding
3. Call 911 if there are any life-threatening signs
4. Care for the condition using simple first aid steps (see below)

Quick Action Guides

• Choking (Adult/Child): 5 back blows → 5 abdominal thrusts → repeat
• CPR: 30 compressions → 2 breaths → repeat (push hard, push fast)
• Severe Bleeding: direct pressure → bandage → tourniquet if needed
• Burns: cool with water 10–20 min → cover with clean dressing
• Sprains/Strains: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (R.I.C.E.)

What NOT to Do

• Don’t put creams on severe burns
• Don’t remove objects stuck in a wound
• Don’t give food or drink to someone who is unconscious
• Don’t delay calling 911 if you’re unsure

When to Call 911

• Trouble breathing
• Major bleeding
• Chest pain
• Stroke symptoms
• Seizure
• No response or no breathing

Signal Learning Inc. (2026). First Aid and Disaster Preparedness Content. Used with permission.