An emergency can happen anytime, anywhere, with the CTA being one of those places. And while it might be nerve-racking to see someone in distress, knowing basic first aid could save a person’s life when professional help might not be readily available.
Chicago Fire Department District Chief Juan Hernandez outlined ways a layperson can aid in a crisis situation while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. First off, the two most important things to remember to do: Stay calm and immediately dial 911. Once you’ve done that, here’s how to proceed in specific situations.
Heart attack
The signs might vary but could include difficulty breathing, profuse sweating or a sudden onset of chest pain or pain that radiates up the neck or arm.
Calm the person down and have them take a seat. “When someone is having a heart attack, the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. So if that person gets excited, it means they’re getting even less oxygen, which leads to more pain,” Hernandez said.
If the person becomes unconscious, feel for a pulse. If you can’t feel a pulse, start chest compressions until responders arrive.
Stroke
A stroke victim may experience a left- or right-side deficit, meaning that their facial expression could be drooping on one side or their limbs on a particular side could be immobile.
Keep the person calm.
Ask bystanders to give you space.
While on the phone, answer any questions the 911 operators have regarding the situation.
Stick around to answer questions once emergency responders arrive.
Seizure
Seizures can range from a person staring into space without actively shaking to complete convulsions and foaming at the mouth.
Ask the person, “Are you OK?” If they respond, they may be able to assist you in helping them.
If there is no verbal communication, call 911.
Wait for the person to stop convulsing.
If they’re hitting their head against something, put something soft (a jacket, a hand, etc.) between their head and the object.
Once they’ve stopped convulsing, turn them on their side to allow their tongue, vomit or saliva to fall to the side of their mouth and prevent choking.
Often the person will be confused and may not be aware of their surroundings coming out of the seizure, so speak calmly and explain to them what happened.
If they are sitting on a seat, help them to the ground in case they have another seizure.
DON’T stick anything in their mouth. DON’T hold the person so stiffly that it prevents them from moving. DON’T shine bright lights in their eyes, as that could trigger another attack.
Deanna Pelzek, a 50-year-old Rogers Park resident who has had numerous seizures while on public transit, offered more advice on the subject.
“If ever a person comes across a person having a grand mal seizure [that’s the kind where a person goes unconscious and starts convulsing], do NOT insert anything into the person’s mouth,” she said. “The best thing is to gently roll the person to their side and ensure they don’t hurt themself further. Most seizures are over in seconds.”
Choking
The universal sign of choking: someone grabbing their throat with both hands.
If you hear someone coughing, encourage them to cough. It’s good because it means they’re taking in air and their airway isn’t completely obstructed.
If you know how to do the abdominal thrust (aka the Heimlich maneuver), start doing that. If not, call 911 and they will be able to assist you over the phone.
If the person becomes unconscious, be ready to catch them. Once they’re down, start chest compressions until emergency responders arrive.
DON’T hit a choking victim on the back while they’re sitting or standing. With gravity working against you, it will actually pull the object farther down the person’s airway.
Stabbed/shot/trauma
If a person experiences some sort of trauma like getting shot or stabbed, you will absolutely want to do something.
Stay calm, and help the victim stay calm. If the person gets too excited, their heart will work faster and pump more blood, which is bad for a victim who is bleeding.
Let the person know you’re there to help them.
You may be nervous about coming into contact with another person’s blood because of disease, but that should not prevent you from helping. There is a way around it. Ask the victim to hold pressure where the trauma is using any cloth you can find, then press your hand on top of their hand. HOLD PRESSURE to compress the veins and help stop the bleeding.
Make sure you’re safe. If the person who did the assaulting is still on the scene, keep your own safety in mind and use your best judgment.
Passed out
There are a number of reasons a person could pass out, and the reason may not be visible to you. But it’s important to remain aware so you can relay information to the 911 operator.
Attempt to catch the person to prevent injury to their head.
Dial 911 and tell the operator exactly what you found.
If the person fell to the ground, turn them to their side to prevent their tongue from blocking their airway.
Have people get away from the person, and keep a close eye on the person until help arrives.
Falls on tracks
Call 911 immediately and give your location. The 911 dispatcher will alert nearby trains and CTA personnel, stopping all movement in that area.
Keep the person calm and tell them not to go any farther. You want to prevent them from touching the third rail, which has the electrical current running through it.
DON’T get on the tracks to try to help them.
“We’re pushing nowadays in the environment we’re living in that if you see something, say something. Don’t be afraid to tell us,” Hernandez said. “We recommend people get some first aid experience. Once know the basics that’s all you really need.”
@RianneCoale | rcoale@redeyechicago.com
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