This information is provided to assist students, staff, and faculty before a true medical emergency or first aid information is needed. Being prepared can save time, and assist in handling situations calmly and effectively. Do not take this information as medical advice. This information is for educational purposes only and you should always seek professional medical advice when possible.

If you have any doubts as to whether your condition is a medical emergency, please call 911 from campus phones. 

In case of an EMERGENCY Call 911

Be prepared to give:

• Campus, Building and Room Number
• Patients Name
• A Summary of the Situation
• Notify if the emergency is in need of a psychiatric evaluation

Do Not Hang Up! If possible send someone else to call and to direct police to the immediate location.

When do I call 911? 

You should seek emergency medical treatment for the following conditions:

• Severe shortness of breath
• Loss of consciousness
• Signs of heart attack that last two minutes or more (sudden chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness)
• Signs of a stroke (sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one sign of the body; difficulty speaking or understanding language; decreased or blurred vision in one or both eyes; sudden, severe headaches; unexplained loss of balance or dizziness)
• Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• Sudden severe pain
• A major injury, such as head trauma
• Fainting
• Unexplained stupor drowsiness or disorientation
• Not being able to move or speak
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Choking
• Poisoning: call your local poison control center, 1-800-222-1222, first and ask for immediate home treatment advice
• A severe or worsening reaction to an insect bite or sting or to a medication especially if breathing is difficult
• Suicidal or homicidal feeling
• Broken bone

Probably do not call If…

The following conditions probably do not warrant a trip to the ER:

• Earache, colds, cough, sore throat, flu
• Minor cuts where bleeding is controlled
• A minor dog or animal bite where bleeding is controlled, but see your doctor
• Muscle sprain
• Sunburn or minor burn from cooking
• An insect sting or delayed swelling from a sting (without breathing difficulty)
• A skin rash
• Low grade fever
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Other Information

We encourage CPR and First Aid Training through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross