Deadly Oversights: 48 Critical Errors First Responders Urge EMTs and Civilians to Avoid

Keeping area rugs/carpet runners/other trip hazards on the floor of your elderly parents/grandparents home.

A broken hip is often the beginning of the end for folks over 70.

JshWright , beepboopbop542 Report

I’m a firefighter with 16 years on the job. If your carbon monoxide detectors are going off, get everyone out of the house and stay out. Don’t try to figure it out yourself. If the weather is bad, go to a neighbor’s house or your vehicle.

anon , jupitermartian Report

If you need to call an ambulance, go to the ER, or go to urgent care, bring a list of your (or the patient’s) medications. I don’t care if ‘they should have them in the computer.

And if you take medications for something, it’s something you should report when asked if you have any medical problems (aka medical history). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked someone that question, and they’ve said they have no medical problems, only to find out they take 10 medications every day. If you take medications for high blood pressure (hypertension), that is a condition that you have, regardless of how well your blood pressure is currently controlled. Conversely, just because you don’t take medications for a condition doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still report that condition. Yes, it can make a difference. Sometimes, a very life-altering difference.

anon , Mikhail Nilov Report

If someone “isn’t acting right” the time to call 911 is right now. I can’t tell you how many times someone has had a full blown stroke the night before and their family wanted to “wait and see what would happen”. The answer to that question is “well, last night we had a good chance of stopping or even reversing this but now your mom will be like this forever. That’s what happened “. When someone is having a stroke time is absolutely critical. Stroke care has made amazing progress over the years but all of the amazing things that can be done have a pretty short time frame for when they can be done.

I bet you’ve never apologized for bothering a McDonald’s employee when you’ve wanted a hamburger. You’re not “bothering” us either. Please call and let us help you.

Edit: The most common fatal mistake people make is not calling 911 soon enough.

medic8388 , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

Mowers

I have transported people who defeated the dead man switch on their riding mower and then rolled the mower into a ditch. Dont do that.

I have transported children who were trying to get mom’s attention while she was mowing only to slip on the loose grass and end up under the mower

I have transported children who have penetrating face and neck wounds from dad hitting a rock while mowing.

Don’t have children on or around operating lawnmowers.

_opposablethumbs , hermaion Report

My dad is an EMT, and he says people will call, give him an address, but then move somewhere else. He says it’s as if purple think he will just sense that they move.

Toxopid , MART PRODUCTION Report