Knowing the steps to take in an emergency and being familiar with emergency procedures help caregivers stay in control during an emergency.
When there is an emergency, it is important to remain calm and stay in control to focus on the emergency and what needs to be done. If you are in an emergency, contact 995 for the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
A medical emergency is a sudden illness that requires immediate medical attention.
Seven signs of a medical emergency are:
Keep a list of all the medicines that your loved one takes, with dosage and special instructions, if any.
Step 1: Call 995 for an ambulance
Step 2: Provide information
When you call for an ambulance:
For example, “My 73-year-old mother has been having difficulty breathing for the past thirty minutes. She had a heart attack two years ago."
Keep a list of contact details of your family members as well as healthcare professionals for medical emergencies. Prepare this list on your mobile phone or make a list separately.
Ask your healthcare provider for emergency warning signs and write them down. You can also display these warning signs in a prominent area such as the refrigerator or next to the entrance of your home. Make sure that all family members know these warning signs.
Leave a gentle reminder with the following points in the emergency centre so that everyone remembers the steps to take during an emergency situation, e.g.
While it is important to call a healthcare professional for serious emergencies, you can learn to be prepared for minor injuries such as cuts and bruises.
Most home emergencies involving elderly people are falls - due to problems walking, weakness, and giddiness. It is useful to have First Aid skills so you can provide basic medical care for your loved ones.
You can get a pre-packed first-aid kit at your nearest pharmacy. Check your first aid kit regularly to ensure that all-important items are there. Throw away expired medication.
Sometimes, during an emergency, you may need to administer emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is important that you learn the right procedures.
You can contact the Singapore Red Cross Society for information on first aid courses and first aid kits.
You can also find
First Aid courses on the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) course directory.
Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.
This article was last reviewed on 04 Jan 2021
Related Articles
Related Stories
Explore our suite of self-care tools and resources to help you better understand and manage your mental health.
From pregnancy to raising a teenager, learn the ins and outs of raising a healthy child in this one-stop pregnancy and parenting platform for health information.
Discover and make sense of what you’re feeling with our Emotions Explorer!
Browse Live Healthy