First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

Figure 6. Check for unresponsiveness andEMS activation. The rescuer should tap thevictim's shoulder and shout, "Are you allright?" If the victim does not respond, therescuer directs someone to activate theemergency medical response system(telephone 911 or appropriate emergencytelephone number).Activate the EMS SystemActivate the EMS system by calling the appropriate local emergency response system telephonenumber. This number should be widely publicized in each community. The person who calls theEMS system should be prepared to give the following information as calmly as possible:1. Location of the emergency (with names of office or room number or cross streets or roads, ifpossible)2. Telephone number from which the call is being made3. What happened: heart attack, auto crash, etc4. Number of persons who need help5. Condition of the victim(s)6. What aid is being given to the victim(s) (i.e., "CPR is being performed" or "we're using anAED")?7. Any other information requested. To ensure that EMS personnel have no more questions, thecaller should hang up only when instructed to do so by the EMD.The stage in the rescue process at which EMS activation is appropriate is determined by eachcountry's resuscitation council and is based on the facilities available, the remoteness from thosefacilities of the scene of collapse, and national and local practice. In the United States, forexample, the EMS should be activated as soon as the adult victim is found to be unresponsive. Inmany countries in Europe, the EMS system is activated after the airway is opened, breathing isassessed, and the unresponsive victim is found to be not breathing. In Australia, the EMS systemis activated after the rescuer delivers rescue breaths.AirwayIf the victim is unresponsive, the rescuer will need to determine whether the victim is breathingadequately. To assess breathing, the victim should be supine (lying on his or her back) with anopen airway.328 First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002