This document provides guidance on responding to medical emergencies at the University of New England. It outlines key steps including ensuring scene safety, calling for help in various emergency situations like unconsciousness or severe bleeding, providing details on what to tell emergency responders, comforting the patient while waiting for help, and guidelines for specific situations like alcohol intoxication, drug overdoses, suicide attempts, falls, and severe bleeding. The overall message is to prioritize safety, call for help without delay for any potentially serious medical emergency, and follow responder instructions until they arrive to provide care.

1. Responding to Medical
Emergencies
University of New England
Emergency Medical Services

2. Scene Safety
• Your personal safety always comes first even in an
emergency
• Never go into danger to help a potential patient
• Some dangerous scenes include:
o A combative person
o Fire
o Motor vehicle accidents
o An emergency in open water
o Down electrical lines
o The presence of any weapons
• Always call security in any of these situations
• If you find yourself in any danger, leave the scene
and call for help

3. When should you call for
help?
• Unconscious person
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Alcohol or drug
overdose
• Diabetic Emergencies
• Attempt of suicide
• Possible head, neck or
spine injuries
• Possible fractures or
dislocations
• Choking
• Severe burns
• Allergic reactions
• Profuse bleeding
• Extreme pain
• Seizures
• Electrocution
• Signs of stroke
• Any time you are
unsure of what to do

4. How to Call for Help
• Switch your radio to channel 1 for Security
o If you do not have a radio, use a hallway phone and call 3-6-6
o If you are not in a building, use your cell phone to call 207-283-0176
• Request EMS
• State:
o Where you are located
o The nature of the call
o How many patients there are
o If there are any hazards on the scene (including combative patient)
o A way to call back e.g. radio channel, cell phone number
*Never delay calling for help for a medical
emergency for ANY reason!*

5. What to Do While You
Are Waiting
• Stay with the patient
• Reassure them that help is on the way
• Never allow them to eat or drink
• If they have a possible fracture or spinal injury, do
not allow them to move
• Try to keep your patient as calm as possible
• Do everything possible to keep other residents from
entering the scene

6. When EMS arrives
• Give them the whole story of what happened
o Even if a patient has told you something in confidence, it is important that
you tell the EMTs EVERYTHING in order to provide proper patient care.
o Laws are in place that do not permit healthcare professionals to disclose
patient information to anyone unless they are in charge of patient care.
• Allow for the EMTs to talk to the patient to gain
more information
• Make sure that all residents stay in their rooms to
maintain patient privacy
• A staff member from Res Ed and Housing must be
present in the room at all times.

7. Alcohol Intoxication
• Alcohol intoxication can vary depending on how much
alcohol was consumed
• Signs of severe intoxication include:
o Vomiting
o Slurred speech
o Loss of balance
o Cognitive impairment
o Loss of consciousness
o Decreased respirations
o Cool, clammy skin
• Do not allow the person to sleep or close their eyes.
o Keep talking to them until EMS arrives
• Be cautious in dealing with intoxicated students because
their mood can change abruptly
o Always treat any person needing medical assistance with the utmost respect

8. Drug Overdose
• Each drug is unique in how it affects the
body
• Call EMS immediately for any suspected
drug overdoses
• Be cautious that drugs can cause a
person’s behavior to change quickly
o Always speak to them slowly with a calm voice
o Once again, treat any persons needing medical
attention with the utmost respect
• Each drug causes different symptoms
when an overdose occurs
o Stimulants cause an increased amount of energy which can
be erratic and unpredictable
o Depressants can cause a person to lose consciousness with
difficulty breathing

9. Suicide Attempts
• Anyone who has attempted to harm themselves
needs greater care than can be given by housing
staff
• EMS will maintain any injuries and will call for
Biddeford Fire Rescue to transport the patient to the
most appropriate facility
• Never let the patient leave your sight even when
calling security for EMS

10. Severe Bleeding
• Anyone with gushing or spurting blood or bleeding
that cannot be controlled needs medical
assistance immediately
• Have the patient hold something over the bleeding
area e.g. paper towels, a clean towel, a clean
article of clothing
o Pressure must be put on the area to try and stop the flow of blood

11. Falls
• Do not move a fall victim if they are in pain
• Call EMS if the patient experiences:
o Head, neck or back pain
o Nausea or vomiting
o Bruising around the eyes or ears
o Nosebleeds
o Loss of consciousness
o Altered mental status
o Loss of sensation to any part of the body
o Inability to move
• Also call EMS if the person may be under the
influence of drugs or alcohol as this can hide signs
and symptoms of head, neck or back trauma.

12. Questions
• If you have any questions about the University of
New England EMS or any content inside this slide
show, please feel free to contact one of the chiefs.
o Eric Senneville esenneville@une.edu
o Lauren McCue lmccue@une.edu