Several medical conditions require the rescuer to act as quickly and calmly as in a trauma situation. A heart attack typically presents with central chest pain lasting more than \(15\) minutes that may radiate to the arms or jaw, along with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and pale skin. Emergency services should be called immediately, and while waiting, the rescuer should help the casualty sit in a comfortable position (often a reduced angle that eases the strain on the heart), reassure them, offer aspirin if the person is not allergic, and monitor breathing and pulse.
Stroke is just as time-critical and is quickly assessed using the FAST acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. Treatment depends on rapid hospital intervention, so prompt recognition is everything. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, causes widespread hives, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and possible collapse. The correct response is to use an auto-injector such as an EpiPen into the outer thigh if one is available, call emergency services, monitor the airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs from the foundational assessment), and place the casualty in the recovery position if they remain conscious and breathing.
Other common medical emergencies include seizures, fainting, and blood sugar disturbances. During a seizure, the rescuer should clear the area of hazards, cushion the head, time the event, and turn the casualty into the recovery position once the jerking stops. Emergency help is needed if it is the first seizure, it lasts more than \(5\) minutes, or breathing problems follow. Fainting is managed by laying the person flat with legs elevated, loosening tight clothing, and ensuring fresh air. Diabetic hypoglycemia requires fast-acting sugar such as glucose tablets, juice, or sweets totaling about \(15\) g of carbohydrates, followed by rechecking blood sugar after \(15\) minutes and giving longer-acting carbohydrates if the person improves; hyperglycemia, marked by excessive thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and fruity breath, should be addressed by offering water and seeking medical help for severe cases. Finally, choking and an asthma attack should be distinguished: choking is a sudden airway blockage with a universal clutching gesture, whereas asthma causes wheezing and breathlessness from airway inflammation and is treated with an inhaler rather than abdominal thrusts.