Summer health issues are not unfamiliar to anyone – possible bites, falls, allergies, water accidents, burns, and much more. How should one handle these problems correctly? To be prepared for the unexpected both in the countryside and the city, we contacted Monica Jõekeerd, a nurse and team leader at Tallinn Ambulance, to go over the most important concerns and solutions for possible situations.
Jõekeerd notes that the pace of ambulance work in the summer may not differ from other seasons, but it is known that warmer weather leads people to their summer homes, which gives county teams slightly more work.
What are the most common health problems in summer?
Health problems don’t ask for a season, but it is true that with warmer weather, there are more challenges related to traumas, allergies, burns, and bites. Summer also sees an increase in alcohol consumption and the resulting adventurous endeavors, which give us quite a bit of work.
Can some problems be easily prevented?
With personal transportation devices like (electric) scooters, bicycles, roller skates, etc., one should definitely pay attention to protective gear and reasonable speed according to the situation. A helmet is one of a person’s best friends and protects against serious head injuries in case of an accident.
A person known to have severe allergic reactions to foods, stings, etc., should teach their friends and family how to recognize an allergic reaction and how to use an EpiPen (adrenaline). When out with friends, always keep the EpiPen with you and tell them where it is.
For children, it’s worth keeping an eye on them every second, as accidents with children always happen unexpectedly. Trampolines are one of the biggest causes of injuries to children, so there should not be more than one child on the trampoline at a time.
What basic knowledge could help reduce the workload for ambulances in summer?
First of all, remember water, water, water! In hot weather, the body needs more fluids. Balanced water consumption helps to avoid heat exhaustion and general volume depletion, i.e., dehydration.
For pain, start pain management yourself. An adult’s primary pain management could be paracetamol 1000 mg if needed every 6 hours. In addition, ibuprofen can be taken and combined with paracetamol, e.g., every 8 hours. Often, an ambulance is called for pain, but pain management has not been initiated or has been taken in too small amounts.
Emergency ABC in various situations
When witnessing an emergency where someone needs an ambulance, first take a calm breath. Call 112 and stay on the line until answered. The dispatcher wants to know:
- What has happened?
- Where did it happen?
- Who did it happen to?
The dispatcher will ask additional questions and, if necessary, request information about other injured persons (e.g., traffic accidents, fires). The dispatcher will provide instructions on how to proceed at the scene. If possible, find the documentation of the person in need.
If the person is not breathing, please start resuscitation and call for help! Unfortunately, in practice, we often read in the dispatcher’s additional information that the informant is afraid to approach or touch the person in need. I want to emphasize one thing: if a person is dead, you cannot make it worse, but by acting, you might save someone’s life!
Today’s resuscitation guidelines state that if a person is not breathing or breathing ineffectively, i.e., agonally, the victim should be laid on their back and chest compressions started until the ambulance arrives. If there are more than one bystanders, it would be excellent to change the person doing chest compressions every 2 minutes for effectiveness, with minimal pause.
If you see someone seizing, it is good to watch the clock to note how long the seizure lasts. This is important information for medical professionals. Secondly, ensure that the person does not injure themselves, e.g., by removing glasses and keeping them away from sharp objects or furniture. Do not put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure or restrain them forcefully. After the seizure, place the person in a recovery position until the ambulance arrives.
For burns, immediately place the burned area under cool but not cold (!) water or apply plenty of BurnJel gel to start cooling until the ambulance arrives, if necessary. DO NOT apply pantenol to burns, as it creates a film that traps heat in the burn area, and also avoid sour cream as the fats it contains also trap heat.
For bleeding, start by applying pressure to the bleeding site – whether it’s a cut on a finger or a larger injury elsewhere. For limb bleeding, the limb should be elevated. In case of a nosebleed, it is important to tilt the head and body slightly forward and spit out the blood that has flowed into the mouth to avoid swallowing it. The nostrils should be pinched tightly together for at least 15 minutes straight. If possible, apply a cool compress to the nose and neck to constrict the blood vessels. If the bleeding does not stop after 15-30 minutes with these measures, call an ambulance or go to the emergency room.
In case of high-impact trauma, such as a fall from a height or being hit by a car, consider a potential spinal injury, so do not move the victim until the ambulance arrives. If the person is conscious, communicate with them and reassure them.
When to call an ambulance, go to the emergency department, or treat at home?
The function of an ambulance is to identify, stabilize, and transport patients with life-threatening conditions to the hospital. The ambulance provides medical assistance when the person needs it urgently or immediately.
In the emergency department, immediate medical assistance is provided, which, if postponed or not given, could result in death or permanent health damage.
If in doubt whether the health issue requires emergency or primary care, you can call the general practitioner advice line at 1220 (EE), which operates 24/7.
ABC of child safety
Young children learn about their environment by putting things in their mouths very quickly. It is critical to inspect areas where children spend time from their perspective. Both poisonous berries and plants that irritate skin, eyes, or mucous membranes upon contact can end up in their mouths. It would be wise to have the Poison Information Center hotline, 16662, saved in your phone for advice on further actions.
Children are also very drawn to water bodies. Next time swimming in a lake, sea, or pool, check the child’s swimwear to see how well they stand out in the water. Pink, red, and neon yellow tones are most visible in water and can be life-saving in a critical moment.
First Aid Kit Recommendations
Wounds and Bleeding: Bandages of various sizes, rolls of bandages, wound pads, antiseptic. For wound cleaning, use solutions like Octenisept or Prontosan.
Pain and Fever: Make sure to have a working thermometer at home. For children, it’s important to give fever-reducing medications based on weight, not age:
- Paracetamol 15 mg/kg every 6 hours if needed.
- Ibuprofen 10 mg/kg every 8 hours if needed. An adult’s paracetamol dose is 1000 mg every 6 hours if needed, and ibuprofen is 400 mg every 8 hours if needed.
Spasmodic Pain: For gallbladder, kidney stone, and menstrual pain, keep spasmolytic NoSpa at home, 40-80 mg every 8 hours if needed.
Burns: BurnJel or Burnshield burn gel, wound pads.
Heartburn: Antacids like Rennie; for constipation, Microlax, Duphalac; for diarrhea, Smecta; for gas, Espumisan.
Allergies: Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Loratadine, or Clemastine. Remember that different active ingredient antihistamines should not be taken together. If you have previously had a severe allergic reaction, i.e., anaphylaxis, always have an EpiPen available.
Finally, enjoy the summer and do everything within reason. Do not forget your daily medications and trust substitute doctors and nurses covering for your doctor during the vacation period.
Do not overindulge in alcohol, food, or sun. Follow safety rules in water and traffic. If you see someone not behaving naturally – approach and ask if they need help and treat others as you would like to be treated when in need.
Important Phone Numbers to Save or Keep Visible at Home: (ALL ESTONIAN)
- Emergency number: 112
- Family doctor advice line: 1220
- Poison Information Hotline: 16662
- Pediatrician advice line (paid): 1599 (open Mon-Sun 08:00-00:00)
- Immediate psychological assistance hotline: 126 (in Estonian), 127 (in Russian)
