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Turning on the porch light during a medical emergency can save your life, says doctor�
Being mindful of your actions during a medical emergency when you’re alone is extremely important. An ER doctor outlines common mistakes that can cost someone’s life.
Some medical emergencies such as a heart attack or a stroke can occur without warning and the patient may not be in the condition to reach out for help. However, knowing the following tips and acting on them could significantly reduce the risk.
How to handle a medical emergency when home alone
As scary as it seems, being prepared for an emergency is crucial, especially when you’re home alone. Dr. Joe explains what you should and shouldn’t do in such a situation.
In case of any health-related issues when you’re alone, call 911 immediately, which goes without saying. Don’t forget to keep the porch light on after calling for help. This is essential at night more than any other time.
As pointed out by the ER doctor, paramedics should be able to locate your house in the dark, which is easier when the lights are turned on. He recommends keeping the door open if possible, depending on your condition.
“Medics need to have access to your home if you become unconscious. So unlock or better yet, open your front door,” Dr. Joe says.
One thing you should never do
Other than signaling the paramedics with the porch light, you should also sit or lie down upon experiencing any discomfort.
The last thing you want is to hurt yourself by passing out. Patients are at high risk of hip or head injury from falling when they lose consciousness.
Aside from protecting yourself in an emergency, think of family members or friends you can call for further assistance.
The video prompted users to share more useful tips to follow during a medical emergency. One comment read: “When my mom started falling frequently, we got her a combination lock box for the front door, her medic alert company was able to give first responders the code and gave them access to the house.”
“Years ago, I had a severe kidney stone attack and called 911 and they told me to crawl to the front door and unlock it. I could barely do that, but I did still lay on the floor for them,” added another.
Dr. Joe Whittington Aka Dr. Joe, M.D. is an Emergency Room Doctor, with millions of devoted followers on social media. His videos are popular for addressing a range of health issues by incorporating entertainment factors.
He graduated from UCLA and St. Louis University School of Medicine, before completing a highly competitive residency program in emergency medicine.
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