To a person in distress, even the slightest medical condition feels like an emergency. However, it’s important to distinguish between a life-threatening medical emergency and a common medical problem that’s not life threatening.

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency:

• Bleeding that will not stop
• Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
• Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)
• Chest pain
• Choking
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Feeling of committing suicide or murder
• Head or spine injury
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Sudden injury due to a motor vehicle accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, deep or large wound, etc.
• Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
• Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision
• Swallowing a poisonous substance
• Upper abdominal pain or pressure

We also offer a free certificate of completion. To receive the certificate you must pass a 50-question test with a score of 70 or higher. Check our Basic First Aid Certificate of Completion page for more information.