Keeping calm is extremely important when treating someone during an emergency. We all must be prepared to help because you never know when you could be the one person who could make a difference. One in three Americans visit an emergency department each year, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians. Here are some tips on how to handle common emergency situations.

Know the Warning Signs

Warning signs of a medical emergency include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest of upper abdominal pain
• Fainting or sudden dizziness
• Sudden severe pain
• Bleeding that won't stop
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Coughing up or vomiting blood

Know Where to Get Help
At UAB, all you have to do is call 911 from anywhere on campus to request police and medical services. In most areas you can also find the HELP phones that are connected directly to UAB Police. At home, it's easy to teach 911 to your children so they can call for help.

Take Training Classes
Training can play a large part in properly responding to an emergency situation. Everyone should know CPR and basic first aid. Classes are regularly offered through the American Red Cross. Other safety classes are available through the UAB Department of Occupational Health and Safety. Those few minutes between the time something happens and when professional help arrives can mean a lot.

First Aid Tips

Childhood Emergencies
Broken bones are a common childhood injury. "Broken bones and twisted ankles or knees need to be protected with a splint as soon as possible," says Dr. Anu Sheuth, a pediatrician with Egleston Children's Health Care System in Atlanta. "Since the child will be in constant pain until you reach the emergency room, splinting will help to prevent further injury and allows the muscles to relax."

If the child's face is cut or scratched, Sheth recommends parents seek medical attention quickly. "After more than 6 hours, it's difficult to close or stitch a wound," she says. "a physician should see even what might be regarded as a 'scratch' on the face because it can result in a significant scar, which could have been prevented."

Choking and drowning are also common childhood emergencies. Again, learning CPR is key to responding appropriately.