No one wants to think about the possibility of a medical emergency occurring at their event, but the truth is that it’s always better to be prepared. By having a plan in place and knowing what to do in the event of a medical emergency, you can help ensure that your event goes off without a hitch—and that everyone stays safe, says the medicine expert Dr Michael Hilton.

What to do in the event of a seizure:

If someone has a seizure, it is important to stay calm and follow these steps:

1. First, make sure that the person is in a safe place where they will not fall or hurt themselves. Remove any sharp or dangerous objects from the area around them.

2. Next, gently cushion their head with something soft like a sweater or jacket. DO NOT try to hold them down or put anything in their mouth.

3. Once they have calmed down, help them sit up or lie down so that they are comfortable. If they are feeling dizzy or nauseous, help them sit up so that they do not faint.

4. Finally, stay with them until they are feeling better and can take care of themselves again. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if they have multiple seizures in a row, call 911 immediately.

What to do if someone has a heart attack:

If someone appears to be having a heart attack, it is important to act quickly and call 911 right away. While you are waiting for medical help to arrive, there are some things that you can do to help:

1. First, make sure that the person is lying down and not moving around too much so that they don’t overexert themselves.

2. Second, loosen any tight clothing that they might be wearing so that they can breathe more easily.

3. Third, if the person is conscious and able to swallow, have them take an aspirin if you have some on hand (but only if they are NOT allergic to aspirin). The aspirin will help thin their blood and prevent clotting.

4. Finally, keep them as calm as possible and stay with them until medical help arrives.

Dealing With an Asthma Attack

If someone at your event has an asthma attack, there are a few things you can do to help them.

• First, try to calm them down. This can be difficult as they may be scared and struggling to breathe, but it is important to stay calm so that you can think clearly and help them as best as you can.
• Next, have the person sit down or lie down if possible. This will help them breathe more easily. If they are carrying an inhaler, help them use it. If they don’t have one or it doesn’t seem to be helping, call the helpline number immediately and start CPR if trained to do so.
• Once the person has been stabilized, it is important to try to figure out what triggered the attack so that you can avoid it in the future. If you know what triggered the attack, you can take steps to avoid it in the future and help prevent another attack from happening.

Endnote

If you are planning an event with more than 50 people in attendance you are required to have at least one certified first-aider on hand at all times. With some simple planning, you can ensure that your event is safe and fun for everyone involved.