Emergency Response - Medical Emergencies

Background Information

Medical emergencies may include any life-threatening situation, including the following:

  • broken bones
  • cessation of breathing
  • chest pain
  • compound fractures
  • excessive bleeding
  • eye injuries
  • head injury
  • heat stroke/heat exhaustion/heat cramps
  • inhalation of a toxic substance
  • lacerations
  • seizure
  • serious allergic reactions
  • unconsciousness

If you or someone in your office experiences a medical emergency, call 911 or 593-1911 immediately. Ohio University Police will access the situation and provide required services.

Unless you are properly trained, do not try to render any first aid or use CPR before trained assistance arrives. If you are trained in CPR and the victim has no pulse and is not breathing, use CPR on the victim. If trained in first aid, use pressure to stop bleeding. Do not move a victim unless safety dictates.

Ohio University has stationed AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators) at a number of locations throughout campus. If a person is in cardiac arrest, the AED can analyze a patient’s need for electroshock treatment and administer the shock automatically.
Unless you are properly trained do not try to render first aid through the use of an AED.

Action Steps

If you experience or witness a medical emergency:

  • Call 911 or 593-1911 immediately.
  • Remain calm.
  • Be prepared to provide information about the emergency.
  • Unless trained, DO NOT render first aid—wait for emergency personnel.
  • IF TRAINED, use pressure to stop bleeding.
  • IF TRAINED, use CPR if victim has NO PULSE and is NOT BREATHING.
  • Do not move a victim unless safety dictates.
  • Be prepared to provide Ohio University Police with vital information, such as:
    • Your name and telephone number
    • Location of the injured person (building, room, etc.)
    • Type of injury or problem
    • Individual’s present condition
    • Sequence of events leading to the emergency
    • Medical history and name of injured person’s doctor, if known
    • Stay on phone with emergency personnel
    • Alert others of the emergency, if possible