Medical Emergencies

Life Threatening Medical Emergency:

If you are confronted with a life threatening medical emergency on campus, call 9-911 and report the incident immediately. A second call should be made to Public Safety at x3666. Public Safety will respond immediately and begin an initial assessment of the patient pending the arrival of the ambulance.

Minor Injuries:

Report to Public Safety at x3666, who along with the St. Olaf EMT’s, will respond and assess the extent of the injury/illness. When appropriate, Public Safety will provide transportation to the Northfield Hospital Emergency Department. If a determination is made by Public Safety and the EMT on scene that an ambulance is needed, an ambulance will be summoned to provide transportation to the emergency department at Northfield Hospital.

Remove the cause of the burn by flushing the area with cool running water for 20 minutes

Remove clothing or jewelry that had been contaminated by the chemical

Wrap the burned area using a dry, sterile dressing or clean cloth

If a blister develops DON’T break the blister

Rinse the burned area again with cool water and seek medical attention

If the person can cough, speak or breathe, encourage the person to cough and do not interfere

If the person cannot cough, speak or breathe:

Stand directly behind the victim

Make a fist with one hand, place the thumb side of the fist against the middle of the person’s abdomen, just above the belly button

Grab your fist with the other hand and give quick, powerful upward thrusts

Place the person on his/her back. Open their airway and check for breathing for about 5 seconds
If the person is NOT breathing, give 2 breaths lasting 1 second each
If the breaths do not go in, reposition the airway and try giving 2 breaths again. If they do not go in, the airway is blocked.
Give 30 chest compressions by placing the heel of your hand at the lower end of the breastbone, just above the notch where the ribs meet. Place your other hand on top of the first hand and compress the chest down about 2 inches.
Open the person’s mouth and look for a foreign object. If you see one, sweep it out.
Give 2 breaths lasting one second each
Continue the cycle of 30 compressions, foreign object check and 2 breaths until the airway is cleared and breaths go in.

DO NOT move or restrain the person’s movements unless a dangerous object is nearby

Loosen any tight clothing

Once the seizure stops, turn the person on their side to let saliva drain out and allow to rest

Call 9-911 if the person has no history of seizures, has prolonged seizures or is injured

Check airway and breathing which may become blocked following a seizure

Do not give the person anything to eat or drink

Maintain body temperature by covering the person lightly if needed

During the academic year, when classes are in session, St. Olaf Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) will also respond to the call. St. Olaf EMT’s are nationally trained and certified students who respond to medical situations in conjunction with Public Safety.

Medical Emergencies

Life Threatening Medical Emergency:

Minor Injuries:

EMERGENCY ACTION STEPS

1. Check the scene for safety

2. Check the victim’s consciousness and breathing

3. Call 9-911 and Public Safety at x3666

4. Care for the conditions you find

During the academic year, when classes are in session, St. Olaf Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) will also respond to the call. St. Olaf EMT’s are nationally trained and certified students who respond to medical situations in conjunction with Public Safety.