Be prepared: Learn life-saving skills

Editor's Note: As of June 30, 2019, Case Western Reserve uses Rave Guardian. CWRU Shield is no longer active and should be deleted from all mobile devices. Download Rave Guardian on the App Store and Google Play. September is National Preparedness Month, so we’re partnering with the Office of Emergency Management and Office of Business Continuity to help the Case Western Reserve University community be more prepared in the event of an emergency. Each week, we will highlight a specific theme, as outlined by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). From first aid to home maintenance, there are skills members of the community can learn well in advance of an emergency so they are prepared if one should arise. FEMA suggests individuals:

• Know basic home maintenance to protect their family and home. Learn how to mitigate their home against flood damage, or protect against the impacts of earthquakes;
• Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas in their home;
• Put smoke alarms on every level of their home, test them monthly and replace them when they are 10 years old; and
• Know the ways to keep their home safe from cooking, heating and electrical fires.

Being prepared at CWRU

Case Western Reserve University Emergency Medical Services (CWRU EMS) provides training opportunities throughout the year for the campus community to learn how to perform CPR (both traditional and hands-only), use an AED, conduct first aid and bleeding control measures. CWRU EMS also is able to design courses in any area of emergency medicine for groups and clubs on campus. To set up a training session, email cwruems-training@case.edu. Additionally, Case Western Reserve University operates a Community Emergency Response Team. Through this volunteer-based program, faculty, staff and administrators are trained to support emergency responders in emergency or disaster situations. With 20 hours of hands-on training, the team is prepared to administer basic medical care, conduct light search and rescue, and support fire safety. Learn more about the team and find out how to become a member.

CWRU expert take

We checked in with CWRU EMS to see what the organization’s executive board thought the university community should know about skills that can help in an emergency. Here’s what they had to say:

Why would you encourage people to learn the types of skills CWRU EMS trains people on?

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone. No one expects it to happen to them. Even a small amount of training can help people remain calm during emergency situations and gain the confidence needed to provide life-saving care.

Is there anything people can do before training or in addition to training to better prepare themselves?

The best way to prepare for an emergency is by knowing who to call and how to call them when the situation arises. The CWRU Shield app has a number of great resources, including the campus emergency number (216.368.3333). We encourage everyone in the community to download the app, open it and register their device. Secondly, any type of hands-on training is the best way to practice life-saving skills, but it is also important to make sure you carry proper equipment, like a small first aid kit with gauze and gloves. 911 dispatchers are also fully certified EMDs, so they will often be able to give you real-time guidance over the phone.

Is there anything else you think people should know about emergency preparedness?

During an emergency situation, bystanders can often be of great help. If you witnessed an accident or have information about the patient, it’s important to pass that along to first responders. Having medical ID bracelets, or the medical ID filled out on your phone can also be of great use to EMTs if you aren’t able to communicate that information during an emergency. If you have been trained in skills such as Stop the Bleed, let responders know so they can find places that need your skills. If you are interested in learning more about responding to emergencies on campus, individuals can review the university’s Emergency Action Plans.