2026 Recognizing and Responding to Medical Emergencies

The most important job of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) is to keep the people they support healthy and safe. DSPs can help prevent serious health problems when they notice small changes early. One of the best ways to do this is by knowing what is normal or usual for that person. When you know what is typical, you can quickly spot when something is different.

Some important things to know about a person include their usual:

• Level of alertness and behavior
• Appetite
• Bathroom habits (bladder and bowels)
• Sleep patterns
• Breathing
• Blood pressure
• Weight
• Health challenges (chronic pain, seizures, difficulty swallowing, on blood thinners)

When you see a change, alert others and write down clear details. Good communication can prevent a small problem from becoming a serious emergency.

Ask yourself these questions when you notice a change:

• When did the changes start?
• How is it affecting the person?
• Is it getting better or worse?

These questions help decide what kind of care is needed and how fast help is required.  Delays in treatment can lead to more serious health problems and even death.

If a person is less alert than usual, is eating or drinking less, or has diarrhea, they can quickly become dehydrated. When this happens, medicine in their body can build up to dangerous levels.

• Keep careful records of how much they eat and drink
• Document episodes of vomiting, bladder and bowel movements
• Write down changes in alertness or behavior
• Report these changes to their health professional right away

When in doubt, call 9-1-1. Acting quickly can save a life.

Sometimes families or guardians ask to be called before medical treatment is given. It is important to respect their wishes. However, the person’s health and safety must always come first. If emergency care is needed, it should not be delayed.  Emergency plans should be talked about during service plan meetings. Many families and guardians sign emergency medical consent forms which allow medical care to be given quickly when needed.

By knowing a person well, watching for changes, recording details, and acting fast, DSPs can prevent harm and even save lives. If someone is in severe distress, do not call/text the family, your supervisor or co-worker, call 9-1-1.

Blood Pressure Problems

Report any blood pressure that is much higher or lower than normal for the person.

Call 9-1-1 if:

• The top number (systolic) is above 170 or
• The bottom number (diastolic) is above 115
• A systolic number of 80 or less is a medical emergency.
• Very high or very low blood pressure can be life-threatening. If you cannot get immediate medical help, call 9-1-1.

Breathing Changes

Call for help right away if a person:

• Is breathing very slowly
• Is breathing very fast
• Is working very hard to breathe, call 9-1-1
• Check the airway to see if something is blocking it.

If the person may be choking:

• Call 9-1-1 and
• Start CPR or First Aid right away

Changes in Consciousness

Call for help if a person:

• Cannot respond as normal for them
• Is not having their usual seizure activity and is unresponsive
• If immediate medical evaluation is not available, if they are unresponsive and
• it is not a seizure, or if a fall has occurred, call 9-1-1

Chest Pain

• Chest pain can be a sign of a serious emergency.
• Check vital signs.
• If the person’s condition is unstable and medical help is not available, call 9-1-1 right away

Falls

Call 9-1-1 if:

• There is a severe head injury
• A person who takes blood thinners hits their head
• The person cannot get up and normally would be able to
• There is severe pain after the fall

Serious Injuries

Call 9-1-1 if:

• The person has severe pain
• An arm or leg is in an unusual position
• A bone is sticking through the skin
• Bleeding will not stop after you apply firm, direct pressure

Heart Rate Problems

Very slow or very fast heart rates can be life-threatening.

Call 9-1-1 if:

• The person’s pulse is below 50 beats per minute or above 160
• The heart rate stays far above or below their normal range

Get urgent medical help if a person has:

• Severe or long-lasting stomach pain
• A temperature below 97°F or above 102°F
• Big changes in appetite with unexplained weight loss
• Blood in their stool (bowel movement)
• Blood in vomit

When you are unsure, it is always safer to call 9-1-1. Acting quickly can prevent serious harm and may save a life.

Stay calm when you call 9-1-1. The dispatcher will ask questions to send help quickly.

Be ready to share:

• The location of the emergency. If you do not know the address, give nearby landmarks, street signs, or building names.
• The phone number you are calling from.
• The type of emergency (medical, fire, or crime).
• Important details about what is happening.

The dispatcher is sending help while talking to you. Do not hang up unless they tell you to

• Keep giving First Aid or CPR if needed.
• Use an AED (automated external defibrillator) if available.
• Tell the dispatcher if you are trained in First Aid or CPR.
• Follow all instructions the dispatcher gives you.
• If there is bleeding, press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or bandage.
• Turn on outside lights at night so responders can find you faster.
• Have important papers ready, such as:
  Medication lists
  Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders
  Power of attorney forms
  Other legal medical documents

• If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Stay on the line and explain there is no emergency.
• If you do not speak English, interpreter services may be available.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, many 9-1-1 centers use TTY devices and may accept text messages.

Knowing what to do in an emergency helps you stay calm, act quickly, and protect the people you support.

• In 2025, Developmental Disabilities (DD) professionals performed life-saving action 452 times.
• Giving CPR right away after cardiac arrest can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
• 89% of all medical emergency cases reported to the Major Unusual Incident Unit (MUI) involve helping someone who is choking.
• A person who is choking has only 4 to 6 minutes before lack of oxygen can cause brain damage or death.

Quick action makes a big difference. Knowing what to do — and doing it fast — can save a life.