Pink Prescriptions - July 2026

July 2026 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
How to Save Someone’s Life

by Karen Morris

General Life-Saving Basics You Need to Know

What are the first things someone should do when they realize
another person may be in life-threatening danger?
Call 911! Don’t hesitate, call. If you are going to approach the patient: First, make sure it is safe for you to do so—if you become injured or placed in danger, you cannot help the patient.

What information should you be ready to give the dispatcher?
Be ready to give an accurate location, clear directions, and any known hazards; scene safety is paramount. Is the patient conscious, breathing or do they have a pulse? Give as much information as you can about what happened, as this helps determine if additional resources or specialty care may be needed. Explain the patient’s complaint and note any signs or symptoms (i.e. respiratory distress, chest pain, nausea, bleeding etc.). Report if there are multiple victims. If so, how many? Do not become frustrated with the questions being asked. Dispatchers are trained to gather information and are passing it along to EMS while they are on the way to you.

 

What are the most common mistakes people make in an emergency?

1) Delaying calling 911 or attempting to drive themselves to the hospital. If you attempt to drive yourself (or have someone drive), you are delaying emergency care. EMS clinicians provide immediate treatment such as IV access, medications, EKGs and airway management during transport.

2) Underestimating the seriousness of the symptoms or waiting to see if the patient will improve. Medical conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, traumatic injuries etc. are time sensitive. Call 911, and we will help you make the best decision for the best outcome.

What basic life-saving skills should every adult know?

1) CPR—even if it is only chest compression. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, and immediate CPR can significantly increase a person’s chance of survival.

2) Know how to recognize cardiac arrest and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

3) Bleeding control. Severe bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes. Knowing how to apply direct pressure, pack a wound when appropriate and how to use a tourniquet can save a life.

4) Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as facial droop, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. Early recognition and rapid activation of EMS can dramatically improve outcomes.

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CPR

How can someone tell if a person needs CPR, and where can I go to learn the basic steps?
CPR should be based on two simple observations: responsiveness and breathing. If a person is unresponsive—they do not wake up, speak, move, or react when you tap, shake, or shout—and they are not breathing or making only slow gasping sounds (similar to a fish out of water); CPR should be started immediately. Call 911 and retrieve an AED, if available. From an EMS perspective, we would rather someone start CPR than hesitate because they are unsure. Often local EMS, fire departments, and the Red Cross will offer classes.

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Defibrillators / AEDs

What is an AED?
Where are they commonly found, and when should someone use one? The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat. AEDs are commonly found in airports, schools, shopping centers, gyms, sports facilities, churches, government buildings, businesses, and many public places. An AED should be used when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

After calling 911, have someone begin CPR and someone else retrieve the nearest AED. Once the AED arrives, turn it on and follow the voice instructions. The device will determine whether a shock is called for and will only do so if needed. For every minute that passes without defibrillation during certain types of cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases significantly. An AED can make the difference between life and death.

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Choking and the Heimlich Maneuver

What should you do first if someone appears to be choking?
Call 911. If the person can cough forcefully or speak, encourage them to continue coughing. A strong cough is often the most effective way to clear an airway obstruction. New guidance on choking in conscious children and adults recommends alternating five back slaps followed by five abdominal thrusts, until the object is expelled, or the person becomes unresponsive.

What is the Heimlich maneuver, and when should it be used?
The Heimlich maneuver, also called abdominal thrusts, is an emergency first-aid procedure used to treat severe airway obstructions caused by choking. It works by applying upward pressure to the bottom of the diaphragm, which forces air rapidly out of the lungs to mimic an artificial cough and dislodge the trapped item. Before using abdominal thrust, check for the universal choking sign (person clutches their throat), with the inability to speak or breath.

What should you do if a child or infant is choking?
Guidance for choking in infants has been updated to alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts using the heel of one hand, until the foreign object is expelled, or the infant becomes unresponsive. DO NOT perform abdominal thrust on infants.

What should someone do if they are alone and choking?
Call OR TEXT 911, even if you can’t speak. If you have a working phone, dispatch will attempt to locate you and send help. If abdominal thrusts are needed, you can perform self-abdominal thrusts by placing a fist just above your navel, grasping it with your other hand, and delivering quick inward and upward thrusts. Another option is to forcefully press your upper abdomen against a firm object such as the back of a chair, countertop edge, or railing to create the same effect as an abdominal thrust. If possible, unlock your door for first responders in case you suffer a loss of consciousness.

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Drowning and Water Emergencies

What are the warning signs that someone may be drowning and what should you do to help?
Call 911! Many people are surprised to learn that drowning is often quiet and doesn’t look like it does in the movies. A person who is drowning may be unable to call for help because they are struggling to breathe or may swallow water. Warning signs: a person is unable to keep their head above water or is bobbing up and down. They may look as if they are ‘dog paddling’ or as if they are reaching for a hand. Their mouth may repeatedly dip below the surface; they may stop moving forward in the water and bob up and down. If you suspect someone is drowning, act immediately. Alert a lifeguard, and if it can be done safely, throw a flotation device, rope or life vest to the person. Unless you are trained for water rescue do not attempt to rescue the victim. Untrained rescuers who enter the water can quickly become victims themselves, often with tragic outcomes.

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Ocean Safety and Swimsuit Color

Does swimsuit color affect visibility in the ocean and/or pool?
Yes! Swimsuit color can significantly affect visibility in pools and open water.

What should parents consider when choosing swimsuits for children?
Well-fitting, bright, highly-visible colors such as neon orange, neon pink, neon yellow, and bright lime green are generally the easiest to spot above and below the water’s surface. Neon pink and neon orange offer the highest contrast against light-colored pool bottoms. For dark-bottomed pools: neon yellow, neon green, and neon orange stand out best. Consider sun protection by choosing swimsuits with built-in ultraviolet protection.

Besides swimsuit color, what other safety steps help prevent drowning?
• Never swim alone.


• Children should always be supervised—avoid distractions such as texting or playing games on your phone when supervising swimmers.

• Taking swimming lessons and learning basic water survival skills can reduce the risk of drowning for both children and adults.


• Always use properly fitted/approved life jackets when boating or participating in water activities.

• Know the area and any special risk such as no lifeguard, rip tides, undercurrents, tide times and depths, and avoid diving or jumping into unfamiliar waters/depths.

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Final Advice

What is one life-saving skill you wish everyone knew?
It is difficult to choose one because I feel CPR and bleeding control are equally important. Knowing CPR and Stop the Bleed are skills which can truly save someone’s life.

What should people keep in their home, car, or beach bag for emergencies?
A tourniquet (and know how to use it), seatbelt cutter, window punch, a flashlight, blanket, towel, reflective warning device, and first aid kit. Always be aware of your surroundings and know where you are so you can give your location to 911. When we travel this is often something we lose sight of. If you had to tell someone exactly where you are-right now, could you do so? Your life could depend on it.

What would you say to someone who is nervous about stepping in to help?
Don’t be afraid to call 911. The dispatchers will walk you through what needs to be done, and you may save someone’s life. Do not let fear of doing something wrong prevent you from trying—doing nothing is the greater risk.

Are there additional life-saving information resources you recommend people check out? 


• Take a CPR or First Aid class: Red Cross, AHA, it doesn’t matter, just learn CPR!

• Take a Stop the Bleed class: A laceration of a large vessel, such as a femoral artery, can cause a rapid, massive hemorrhage that can quickly lead to hypovolemic shock and death if not treated immediately. 


• Wilderness First Aid: Specialized training for providing medical care in remote locations where emergency services are hours away.

• Swimming lessons/ Lifeguard certification: We are surrounded by water! Also, CERT training enables you to help your community during times of mass casualty events such as hurricanes or fires. Beaufort County has an excellent CERT program.

 

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Karen Morris is the Training Officer for Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). She has served as a 911 Paramedic for the past 38 years and is passionate about enhancing pre-hospital care. To read her story in Pink Magazine, scan the QR code.

These tips are designed to increase awareness and preparedness in emergency situations. However, every circumstance is unique, and no technique can guarantee a life will be saved. When faced with a medical emergency, call 911 immediately and seek professional assistance.