Emergencies from A to Z

Symptoms

Rash, hives, redness of the skin and/or eyes, itching, swelling, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness

Causes

Foods, insect stings, medications, latex

Procedure

Call the emergency number 144, give a pre-filled adrenalin injection and/or administer emergency medication. Keep the person calm, put them in the recovery position if necessary. If the person is not breathing, start resuscitation immediately.

Prevention

People with known allergies (causing anaphylaxis) should always carry an adrenalin pen and emergency medication with them.

Further information

aha! Swiss Allergy Centre

Symptoms

Difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, coughing, wheezing , restlessness and anxiety, sweating

Causes

Upper respiratory tract infections, exposure to allergens (e.g. dust or pollen), cold air, physical strain, emotional excitement

Procedure

Keep the affected person sitting upright in a comfortable position, assist them in using their medication, keep them calm. If the attack persists: call the emergency number 144.

Please note

Asthma sufferers should be able to let you know if they are having an attack and what medication they need.

Procedure

Put pressure on the wound, rinse smaller wounds, do not remove foreign bodies. In the event of severe bleeding: call the emergency number 144

Please note

Avoid contact with other people’s blood wherever possible. Stop any bleeding.

Symptoms

Bruising, pain, swelling, unnatural position

Procedure

Keep injured body part still.

→ If the person is unable to move by themselves: call the emergency number 144

Symptoms

Reddening of the skin, feelings of warmth or heat, itching, pain or even complete numbness, blisters, charring, destruction of the skin

Causes

Sunburn, hot liquids, hot objects

Procedure

Cool the wound with water (about 20 degrees), dress the wound with a sterile dressing. If medical treatment is necessary, the wound must be covered with plastic (household cling film). Do not burst blisters.

→ For burns to the face, genitals, joints and large areas of the body (or if underlying tissue layer becomes visible): call the emergency number 144.

Symptoms

Shortness of breath, coughing, retching, wheezing, blue discolouration of the lips, loss of consciousness

Procedure

Always call the emergency number.

Encourage the person to cough, give five hard slaps between their shoulder blades as they bend forwards, perform five upper abdominal compressions (Heimlich manoeuvre). If the person stops breathing, start chest compression immediately.

Symptoms

Dizziness, loss of consciousness lasting several minutes, headache, confusion, nausea, blurred vision, memory loss

Procedure

Lie the affected person down, call the emergency number 144, watch for changes in condition.

Please note

In the event of concussion, there is a risk of increased pressure on the brain.

Symptoms

Symptoms can vary widely: feelings of hunger, cramps, clammy skin, profuse sweating, drowsiness, weakness, sudden loss of consciousness

Causes

Blood sugar level too low (hypoglycaemia); blood sugar level too high (hyperglycaemia)

Procedure

• Hypoglycaemia: eat some fast-acting sugar (e.g. dextrose, fruit juice).
• Hyperglycaemia: drink plenty of water, inject the amount of insulin previously agreed with a doctor

→ In the event of loss of consciousness or shortness of breath: call the emergency number 144

Prevention

Check blood sugar levels regularly.

Symptoms

Open, staring, empty or rolling eyes, convulsions, impaired movement or consciousness

Procedure

Do not restrain the affected person. Do not attempt to intervene in the seizure. Place a blanket under their head to reduce the risk of injury. Place the affected person in the recovery position.
→ If they have no prior history of seizures or if the attack is unusually severe or long-lasting: call the emergency number 144

Please note

Some people may wear or carry a specific item to identify themselves and their particular disorder (an ID, bracelet or chain).

Symptoms

• Men: shortness of breath and anxiety, sweating, sharp/burning pain in the chest, pain in shoulders and arms, regardless of movement
• Women: jaw pain, pressure and tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain

Causes

Deposits and blockages in the coronary arteries that affect the blood supply to the heart muscle

Procedure

Call the emergency number 144, avoid any physical exertion, elevate the upper body, adopt a comfortable position. Use personal emergency medication such as nitroglycerin spray. In the event of cardiac arrest (person is no longer responding or breathing), start chest compression immediately or use a defibrillator.

Symptoms

Severe headaches and dizziness, high fever, feelings of extreme thirst, rapid and weak pulse, drop in blood pressure, state of exhaustion, reduced consciousness or loss of consciousness

Causes

High ambient temperatures and humidity, loss of body fluids owing to intense physical activity

Procedure

Call the emergency number 144, move the affected person to a cooler location. Remove any tight-fitting clothing, open their clothing, put cool/damp cloths on their skin, fan them. Slowly give the person cool water to drink, keep their upper body in an upright position. If their blood pressure drops: lie them down and prop their legs up.

Symptoms

Shivering, cold/pale skin, rapid breathing, raised pulse, low body temperature

Causes

Low ambient temperature, wind, wetness, prolonged exposure to cold, exhaustion

Procedure

Call the emergency number 144, keep the affected person calm and warm them up slowly with a blanket or thermal foil sheet, warm drinks, high-energy food. Put on dry and warm clothes. Find a place to shelter that is out of the wind.

Symptoms

Nausea and vomiting, intoxication, drowsiness, coughing, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, abdominal cramps

Causes

Medications, chemicals, plants, stimulants and drugs

Procedure

Establish what has been taken, when, and how much. Call the toxicological information centre number 145.
→ In the event of loss of consciousness, shortness of breath or a possible suicide attempt: call the emergency number 144.

Please note

Do not induce vomiting.

Symptoms

Rapid pulse, low blood pressure, cold sweat, cool hands and legs, rapid breathing, restlessness or change in state of consciousness

Causes

Loss of fluid (bleeding, diarrhoea/vomiting), pulmonary embolism, heart attack, arrhythmia, allergies, blood poisoning and spinal cord injuries

Procedure

Lie the affected person down flat, treat any bleeding or injury, remove any shock triggers. Ensure that the person does not become hypothermic or overheated. Do not give them anything to eat or drink, call the emergency number 144.

Symptoms

• Insects: pain, swelling, bleeding
• Ticks: occasional rash
• Jellyfish: burning sensation, reddened skin
• Venomous snakes: pain, bite marks, swelling, nausea, vomiting, tingling, shock, coma, paralysis, blood-clotting disorder

Procedure

• Insects: remove the sting, wash/disinfect the wound, cool the area. If the person shows signs of allergic shock, call the emergency number 144.
• Ticks: remove with tweezers or tick remover tool, wash/disinfect the wound and apply disinfectant cream.
• Jellyfish: get the affected person out of the water, wash the area with vinegar and rinse with warm water. If the person shows signs of shortness of breath, call the emergency number 144.
• Snake: in the event of a bite by a venomous snake, call the emergency number 144 immediately, wash and disinfect the wound, remove any jewellery, avoid physical exertion, keep the affected area below the heart level and avoid moving.
• Other bite injuries: control the bleeding, rinse/disinfect the wound. Contact a doctor if you suspect you may have been exposed to rabies.

Symptoms

Pain, swelling, bruising, restrictions of movement

Causes

Abrupt movements, trips and falls, violent external impact

Procedure

Apply RICE rule, R: rest (keep still); I: ice (cool); C: compression (compression bandage); E: elevation

Please note

Strains affect muscles, sprains affect joints.

Symptoms

Hemiplegia (weakness of one side of the face, one arm and/or leg), sensitivity disorders (numbness), visual disorders (e.g. double vision), unclear, slurred speech, headaches (with cerebral haemorrhage), balance impairments, dizziness, difficulty finding the right words, impaired orientation and memory loss

Cause

Insufficient blood flow to the brain.

Procedure

FAST check → F (Face): Does the affected person have weakness on one side of their face? A (Arms): Can the person raise both arms? S (Speech): Can you understand what they are saying? T (Time): Call the emergency number 144 as quickly as possible.

If possible, lie the affected person down flat. Do not give them anything to eat or drink, and do not administer any blood-thinning medication.