Medical emergency response

{{whyLabel}}: Every second counts in a medical crisis, and fumbling for a number can cost lives.

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• Save 112 (Europe) or 911 (USA) to your favorites.
• Add the number for the local Poison Control Center.
• Set up your phone's Medical ID (ICE - In Case of Emergency) so responders can see your info on a locked screen.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Emergency numbers are on speed-dial and Medical ID is configured.

{{whyLabel}}: Provides offline, step-by-step guidance and videos for emergencies when you might panic.

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• Search for 'First Aid - IFRC' or 'American Red Cross First Aid' in your app store.
• Download the content for offline use.
• Familiarize yourself with the 'Emergency' tab layout.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: App is installed and content is available offline.

{{whyLabel}}: Having standardized medical supplies ensures you can treat wounds and protect yourself from infections.

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• Look for a kit labeled DIN 13164 (standard for motor vehicles) or DIN 13157 (workplace).
• Ensure it contains disposable gloves, rescue blankets, and sterile dressings.
• Place it in an easily accessible, central location in your home or car.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A compliant kit is physically present and accessible.

{{whyLabel}}: Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest increases survival rates by over 70%.

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• Check common locations: train stations, office lobbies, or sports centers.
• Use a mapping tool to find registered devices near your home or office.
• Physically walk to the location to ensure you know exactly where it is kept.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You know the exact location of at least one AED within a 3-minute radius.

{{whyLabel}}: Choking is a leading cause of accidental death; the 2025 guidelines emphasize alternating techniques for maximum effectiveness.

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• 5 Back Blows: Lean the person forward and strike firmly between shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
• 5 Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich): Stand behind, wrap arms around waist, make a fist above the navel, and pull inward and upward sharply.
• Repeat: Cycle through 5 and 5 until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You can recite the 5-and-5 sequence from memory.

{{whyLabel}}: Infants have delicate organs; the 2025 update changes how chest thrusts are performed to improve safety.

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• Give 5 back slaps while holding the infant face-down on your forearm.
• Flip to face-up and give 5 chest thrusts.
• 2025 Update: Use the heel of one hand in the center of the chest for thrusts, rather than just two fingers, for better depth.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You understand the specific heel-of-hand placement for infants.

{{whyLabel}}: Stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive; 'Time is Brain' is the core principle of the 2026 ASA guidelines.

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• F (Face): Ask them to smile. Does one side droop?
• A (Arms): Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
• S (Speech): Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is it slurred or strange?
• T (Time): If any signs are present, call emergency services immediately and note the start time.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You can explain each letter of FAST without notes.

{{whyLabel}}: Heart attacks don't always look like 'crushing chest pain,' especially in women and the elderly.

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• Look for shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, or unusual fatigue.
• Watch for pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or back.
• If suspected, have the person sit down, stay calm, and call emergency services immediately.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You can list three atypical symptoms of a heart attack.

{{whyLabel}}: Bystander CPR can triple survival rates; 'Hands-Only' is the recommended standard for untrained responders.

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• Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, other hand on top.
• Push hard and fast: 2 inches deep, at a rate of 100–120 beats per minute.
• Use the rhythm of the song 'Stayin' Alive' to maintain the correct tempo.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have practiced the compression rhythm for at least 2 minutes.

{{whyLabel}}: If a person is unconscious but breathing, the recovery position keeps their airway clear and prevents choking on vomit.

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• Kneel beside them and straighten their legs.
• Place the arm nearest to you at a right angle to their body.
• Bring the other arm across their chest, holding the back of the hand against their cheek.
• Pull the far knee up and roll them toward you onto their side.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You can successfully place a volunteer in the recovery position.

{{whyLabel}}: Skills fade over time; regular drills build the 'muscle memory' needed to act during high-stress situations.

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• Set a recurring calendar invite for the 1st of every month.
• Spend 5 minutes testing each other on the FAST acronym and choking protocols.
• Duration: 12 months to establish a permanent habit.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: First monthly drill is completed and calendar invite is set.

{{whyLabel}}: Sterile components and adhesives degrade over time, making them useless or unsafe in an emergency.

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• Check the 'Use By' dates on sterile compresses and bandages.
• Replace any opened or expired items immediately.
• Ensure the disposable gloves haven't become brittle.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Kit is inspected and a 6-month reminder is set in your phone.

{{whyLabel}}: High blood pressure and cholesterol are 'silent killers' that lead to strokes and heart attacks.

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• Call your primary care physician to book a preventative check-up.
• Request a blood pressure reading and a lipid panel (cholesterol test).
• Discuss your family history of heart disease or stroke.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Appointment is confirmed in your calendar.

{{whyLabel}}: Hands-on training from a professional instructor provides feedback that an app or text cannot.

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• Search for local courses provided by the Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, or similar accredited bodies.
• Choose a course that includes AED training.
• Aim to renew this certification every 2 years.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have registered for an upcoming course.