• 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 and the number of the person to call in case of an emergency.
-Your health insurance information
-Important medical information

-List of medications and allergies
-Emergency telephone numbers

• Emergency transportation should be by ambulance if at all possible except in cases where only minor injuries are involved. Improper transportation of victims 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)