Medical Emergencies
Someone collapses and does not respond when you call them. What should you do first?
Check that the scene is safe, check responsiveness, and get emergency help. Call 911 or direct someone to call. If they are not breathing normally, get an AED and begin CPR if trained, following the dispatcher's instructions.
Question: What is the recommended action during an earthquake when you are inside a building?
Answer: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Protect your head and neck, and stay away from windows.
You notice smoke in a school hallway. Should you investigate where it is coming from?
No. Alert others and school staff, follow the school's evacuation procedures, and move away from danger. Call 911 when safe if emergency services have not already been contacted.
Question: You find an unfamiliar chemical leaking from a container in a classroom. What should you do?
Answer: Do not touch or clean it up. Move away, warn others, and alert a teacher or school staff member immediately.
Question: You witness a serious car crash. What is the first thing you should consider before helping?
Answer: Scene safety. Stay out of traffic and away from fire, leaking fuel, or other hazards. Call 911 when safe.
Question: Someone is bleeding from a cut on their arm. What should you do?
Answer: Get an adult or first aid responder and apply firm, direct pressure with clean gauze or cloth. Use gloves if available. For severe bleeding, call 911.
An earthquake begins while you are in a classroom. What do you do?
Drop, Cover and Hold. Protect your head and neck, stay away from windows, and remain sheltered until the shaking stops.
Question: You are in a room and discover a small fire. Should you try to put it out yourself?
Answer: Prioritize alerting others and escaping safely. Do not attempt to fight a fire unless you are specifically trained, authorized, and have a safe escape route. Call 911 when safe.
Question: A student falls during PE and says their ankle hurts badly. What should you do?
Answer: Stop the activity, get the teacher or school nurse, and avoid moving the injured ankle unnecessarily. Seek emergency help if there are signs of a serious injury.
Question: A student is unconscious but breathing normally. What should you do?
Answer: Call 911 or have someone call, get an adult, and monitor their breathing. If there is no suspected spinal injury and it is appropriate, place them in the recovery position. Follow dispatcher instructions.
Question: A student feels dizzy and says they might faint. What should you do?
Answer: Help them sit or lie down somewhere safe, alert a responsible adult, and monitor them. If they become unresponsive or have serious symptoms, call 911.
Question: A wildfire is approaching your area, and authorities issue an evacuation order. Should you wait until you can see flames before leaving?
Answer: No. Follow evacuation orders promptly, use designated safe routes, and take only essential items if doing so does not delay departure.
Question: You notice smoke in a school hallway. Should you investigate where it is coming from?
Answer: No. Alert others and school staff, follow the school's evacuation procedures, and move away from danger. Call 911 when safe if emergency services have not already been contacted.
Question: You receive a text claiming there is an emergency at school and telling you to spread the message immediately. What should you do?
Answer: Do not spread unverified claims. Check official school communications and follow instructions from school staff or emergency authorities.
Question: You see someone collapse while a crowd gathers around them. What are two useful things you can do?
Answer: Check scene safety and responsiveness, then direct a specific person to call 911 and another to retrieve an AED. Stay with the person and follow emergency instructions.
Question: Someone is choking and cannot speak, cough effectively, or breathe. What should you do?
Answer: Get emergency help. For a conscious choking person, provide age appropriate choking first aid if trained, following current Red Cross guidance. If they become unresponsive, lower them safely and begin CPR according to your training and dispatcher instructions.
Question: After an earthquake, you see a downed power line across a sidewalk. What should you do?
Answer: Stay far away, warn others not to approach, and notify emergency services or the utility company from a safe location. Never touch the line.
Question: During a fire, a hallway is filled with smoke. Should you walk through it to reach the normal exit?
Answer: No. Avoid the smoke, use a safe alternative exit if available, and follow emergency instructions. If trapped, close doors between yourself and the smoke and call 911 to report your location.
Question: A student gets a nosebleed. What should you do?
Answer: Have them sit upright, lean slightly forward, and pinch the soft part of their nose continuously for 10 to 15 minutes. Get an adult or medical help if it is severe or does not stop.
Question: Your friend says they swallowed an unknown household chemical. Should you make them vomit?
Answer: No. Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies. Contact Poison Control in the US at 1 800 222 1222 for guidance. Call 911 immediately if they have severe symptoms or are unresponsive.
Question: A person with diabetes becomes confused and shaky. Should you immediately give them food or a drink?
Answer: Get an adult and seek medical assistance. Do not give food or drink to someone who is confused enough to have trouble swallowing or is unconscious. If they are unresponsive or seriously ill, call 911.
Question: An earthquake stops shaking, but your classroom door is blocked by debris. What should you do?
Answer: Stay calm, protect yourself from hazards, alert school staff or emergency responders, and follow the school's emergency procedures. Do not attempt to move dangerous debris or use an unsafe exit.
Question: Why should you never use an elevator during a building fire?
Answer: Elevators can fail or open onto dangerous floors during a fire. Use designated stairs and evacuation routes unless emergency personnel direct otherwise.
Question: During a heat wave, a teammate becomes confused and unusually hot after exercising. What should you do?
Answer: Treat this as a possible heat stroke emergency. Call 911, get them out of the heat, and begin rapid cooling with cold water or cold wet cloths while help is coming. Do not give drinks to someone who is confused.
Question: A friend is having a seizure. Should you hold them down or put something in their mouth?
Answer: Neither. Clear nearby hazards, protect their head if possible, time the seizure, and do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Get emergency help if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, repeats without recovery, or other emergency warning signs occur.