Strokes Signs and Emergency Response Toolbox Talk

Strokes Signs and Emergency Response Safety Talk

Strokes are one of the leading causes of long-term disabilities and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Heart attacks and strokes are both serious medical conditions that can happen in the blink of an eye.

Statistics For Strokes

There are around 795,000 stroke victims every year in the United States. Only 25% of those individuals were under the age of 65 according to StrokeCenter.org. That means that 75% of stroke victims are 65 and older.

There are signs and symptoms that someone might experience leading up to a stroke. It is important to understand what the warning signs of a stroke are. It can be what saves yourself or your coworker. If you are aware of them, you will be more likely to get the emergency services needed. Whether it is for you or someone else, time is an important factor when someone is suffering from a stroke.

Stroke Signs And Symptoms To Be Aware Of

Basic first aid and knowledge are important for everyone to have. When you are working closely with people, you never know if you are going to be the one person around when an emergency occurs. Some of the signs and symptoms that can occur when someone is having a stroke are:

• Unexplained dizziness or dim vision (possible to only be In one eye)

• Suddenly unable to balance themselves

• Nauseous or vomiting

• Sudden onset of hiccups

• Trouble swallowing

• Sudden unexplained headache along with loss of consciousness

• Brief loss of consciousness

• Sudden onset of numb or tingling in the face, arms, or legs on one side

• Sudden vision loss

• Unexplained fever

• Sudden loss of strength or coordination

• Slurred speech or unable to speak clearly

• Weird sensation

Stroke Victim Emergency Response

If you or someone you are with is showing any of these signs of a stroke, get medical attention immediately. When you receive prompt medical attention, the effects that a stroke has on you can be minimized.

It is very important that you act quickly. The time that a person spends between the onset of symptoms to get the help they need, can make a big difference in the outcome. The effects can range from mild, debilitating, or even fatality. If you suspect an emergency, never contemplate calling 911. You would rather be safe than sorry in these types of situations.

Knowing First Aid And CPR Is Important

Working in construction, there are many emergency situations that can arise. It could be simple first aid needs or more serious situations. When employees know the basics of first aid and CPR it can help save someone's life. It doesn’t take long to get trained and certified, and it is good knowledge to have. Some of the things that you can learn are:

• How to help when someone gets hurt: bandaging minor cuts and scrapes.

• What to do when someone is choking: the steps to performing the Heimlich.

• What to do when someone is unconscious: heck for breathing or performing CPR.

• How to assist someone who has broken or fractured a bone.

When you are trained to know what to do in an emergency, you tend to be able to stay calm. Getting anxious and overwhelmed isn’t going to help in an emergency situation. Knowing first aid and CPR is a valuable tool that can help to save someone's life.

What To Do While Waiting For Emergency Personnel To Arrive

When an emergency is happening, it can seem like it takes forever for help to arrive. Even if it is only 5 minutes, you may feel like it has taken 30 minutes. There are a few things to keep in mind to help the person while waiting for help.

Once you have called 911, make sure you look at what time it is. This will help the paramedics know how long the person has been experiencing symptoms. Some other things to pay attention to are:

• Keep the person talking to you as much as possible. Ask them questions or anything to keep them coherent.

• If they are unconscious, check to make sure they are breathing. If they aren’t, begin doing CPR. If you do not know how to do CPR, call for anyone around you who does know-how.

• Don’t give food or drinks. You wouldn’t want them to choke.

• Stay put where you are until help arrives. Don’t try to move the person.

What A Stroke Can Do To A Person

Strokes are a very serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply is restricted to the brain. When blood supply is not able to flow properly, the tissues in your brain are not getting the needed amounts of oxygen to function. When your brain goes without oxygen, the cells begin to die. This can happen at rapid speeds, in mere minutes.

That is one of the major reasons that prompt indications are important. The faster that the victim receives medical attention, the better the outcome is. There are many lasting effects that can be obtained from having a stroke. But, with proper care and help, you can recover from a stroke.

Being Aware

Being aware when on a construction site is important. There are many things that have to go through your head at the same time. You need to work effectively and safely at all times. That means the tasks that you are doing should follow guidelines. All the rules and regulations are in place for a reason, even if you don’t see it at the time.

Then there is being aware of your fellow employees. Being able to notice if someone isn’t acting right or seems off. You are working outside many times in this profession, in all types of weather. Medical emergencies can happen at any time. When you have the knowledge to spot the warning signs of heat exhaustion, heart attacks, or strokes you can be what saves someone’s life.