Public Education
THINK BEFORE YOU CALL 911
PARAMEDIC RESOURCES ARE PRECIOUS
Misuse can truly make the difference between life or death for somebody you love.
Paramedics need to be available for life threatening emergencies such as:
- Anaphylaxis
- Cardiac arrest
- Complex births
- Critical injuries
- Heart attacks
- Seizures
- Severe blood loss
- Strokes
- Unconscious
- Breathing complications
- Mental health crisis
- Heat stroke
- Hypothermia
- Overdose on narcotics
If the medical issue is minor:
- See your family doctor or nurse practitioner
- Go to a walk-in clinic (when available)
- Call Netaawgonebiik Health Services (if in community)
- Check with your local public health (for Northwestern Ontario call 1(800)830-5978)
- Call telehealth
Heat Exhaustion
**Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke if not treated**
- Body temperature 38° C or above
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Profuse sweating
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- Thirst
What To Do
- Move to a cool place
- Loosen clothing
- Place cool wet cloths on your body or take a cool shower/bath
- Sip water or a sports drink
- If your symptoms get worse or do not resolve in an hour, seek medical attention right away
Tips To Keep Safe In A Heat Wave
- Stay hydrated with plenty of water (even if you’re not thirsty)
- If you’re sweating a lot, make sure to pair water with snacks or a sports drink to replace lost electrolytes
- Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day
- Avoid working, exercising, or playing outside for extended periods of time
- If outside, seek out shade whenever possible
- Wear a wide brimmed hat or use an umbrella to create your own shade
- Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing
- Spend time in an airconditioned building or home, if possible
- Take a cool shower or bath
Heat Stroke
**Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness, and it is a life-threatening emergency**
- Body temperature 40° C or above
- Hot, red, dry skin (skin may be damp or deceptively cool)
- Strong, rapid pulse
- Headache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
What To Do
- Call 911 immediately
- Move the person to a cooler place
- Cool the person’s entire body by spraying or sponging them with cold water to help lower their temperature
- Place ice packs, cold, wet cloths, or ice on the person’s head, neck, and torso and in their armpits and groin
- Fan air over the person while wetting their skin
- Place the person in the recovery position if they are unconscious
- Do not give them anything to eat or drink
Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
A heart attack is a medical emergency. The signs may differ for men, women, and the elderly. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of a heart attack call 911 immediately.
- Chest discomfort – pain, pressure, squeezing, or heaviness that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
- Sweating or cold sweats
- Pain or discomfort radiating to your neck, jaw, shoulder, or arm
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Feel lightheaded or dizzy
- Upper abdominal pain
Learn The Signs of Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs call 911 immediately. If you think someone may be having a stroke think FAST.
F – Face, is one side drooping?
A – Arms, can they raise both? Does one arm drift downwards?
S – Speech, is it slurred or jumbled?
T – Time, to call 911 right away
Make sure to record when the symptoms started, if possible.
Is It A Cold, The Flu, or Covid-19?
| Signs and Symptoms | Cold | Flu | Covid-19 |
| Onset | Gradual | Rapid | Gradual |
| Fever | Rare | Common | Common |
| Chills | Rare | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Cough | Common | Common | Common |
| Shortness of Breath | Rare | Rare | Sometimes |
| Headache | Rare | Common | Sometimes |
| Muscle Aches | Mild | Common | Common |
| Fatigue | Mild | Common | Sometimes |
| Stuffy/Runny Nose | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Common | Rare | No |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Loss of Smell | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Loss of Taste | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Nausea | No | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Diarrhea | No | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Emergency Preparedness
It’s important to have a plan in place before an emergency happens. You will want to develop an emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed if an emergency occurs.
Please follow this link for thorough instructions on how to build your emergency plan and for a list of everything you should include in your emergency kit.
