Medical Emergency: Do You Have Life-saving Medicines at Home?

Keep essential first aid items and emergency medicines at home to respond quickly to medical situations.

Emergencies can occur anytime and anywhere—be it at home, on the road, or in the office. At such times, if you have knowledge of first aid and life-saving medicines, you can save someone’s life—maybe even your own. This blog post is specially prepared for you so that you do not panic in times of crisis, but help by giving the right medicine at the right time. Here you will find accurate and practical information about first aid kits, emergency medicines, and their use.

Glossary of Emergency & First-Aid Terms

Medicine
Adrenaline Injection	Used during severe allergic shock (anaphylaxis).
Aspirin Tablet	Prevents blood clotting during chest pain or heart attack.
ORS/Glucose Powder	Provides quick energy in low sugar or dehydration.
Kit Tools
Pulse Oximeter	Measures oxygen levels, essential in respiratory distress.
Thermometer	Detects fever and helps monitor body temperature.
Bandage & Gauze	Controls bleeding and protects wounds.
Emergency Response
Choking	Heimlich maneuver is used to clear airway blockages.
Burn Injury	Rinse with cold water and apply antibiotic ointment.
Snake Bite	Immobilize the area and rush to the hospital immediately.
Actions
Do Not Panic	Staying calm helps make correct decisions quickly.
Note Medications	Record medicines given before doctor’s consultation.

What are the Major Life-Saving Medicines Used in Emergencies?

In a medical emergency, if the right medicine is available at the right time, a life can be saved.

• Adrenaline Injection: A life-saving medicine in case of severe allergies like anaphylaxis (allergic shock).

• Aspirin Tablet: If there is a possibility of chest pain or heart attack, it can save a life by thinning the blood.

• Glucose solution (ORS/glucose powder): Provides instant energy when sugar level drops, which is essential for patients suffering from hypoglycemia.

• Nitroglycerin tablet: For heart patients, helpful in reducing angina pain and improving blood flow.

• Diazepam or lorazepam: an essential tranquilizer to prevent seizures.

• Strong painkillers (Tramadol/Diclofenac): Medicines that provide temporary relief in case of severe pain or an accident.

• Insulin injection: For emergency control in case of high blood sugar in diabetic patients.

• Bronchodilator inhaler (salbutamol): Helps in opening the respiratory tract during an asthma attack.

• Norflox/Metronidazole: Antibiotics that provide immediate relief in case of diarrhea and stomach infection.

• Hydrocortisone creams and tablets are used to treat allergies, edema, and skin irritation.

What Essential First-Aid Kits Should You Always Have?

A first-aid kit consists of a few items that come in handy in every situation, big or small.

• Safety scissors, sterile gauze, and bandages: essential for cleaning and stopping bleeding in an injury or wound.

• Antiseptic solution (Betadine/hand sanitizer): Essential for cleaning the injury and preventing infection.

• Thermometer and blood pressure monitor: Always carry them to check fever and blood pressure status.

• Pulse oximeter: An essential tool in COVID and respiratory distress to detect oxygen levels.

• Emergency contact card: Carry the patient's allergies, blood group, and other important information.

• Digital watch and notebook: Useful for recording medication timings and keeping notes.

• Disposable masks and gloves are an essential component of good hygiene to avoid infection.

• Cool packs and heat pads: Very useful tools for instant relief from sprains, swelling, or pain.

• Splint or triangular bandage: Helpful in immobilizing the bone in case of fracture or sprain.

• Flashlight and safety pin: essential tools during first aid at night or in a dark place.

Emergency medicines play a crucial role in saving lives during sudden health crises.

What are the Frequent Medical Emergencies and Their First Aid?

Each emergency requires a different first-aid method for an effective response.

• Heart attack: Make the patient sit and rest, call an ambulance, give aspirin, and give oxygen support if available.

• Choking: Use the Heimlich technique; call a doctor immediately.

• Epileptic seizure: Make the patient lie down in a safe place, do not put anything in the mouth, and record the duration.

• Burn injury: Wash the burned area with cold water, apply antibiotic cream, and cover with a loose bandage.

• Fainting: Check the patient's breathing and pulse while they are lying upright with their head down and legs up.

• Cut: Put a sterile bandage over the wound, clean it, apply antiseptic, and stop the bleeding.

• Snake bite/insect bite: Tie a tight bandage, do not let the affected limb move, and take it to the hospital immediately.

• Poison ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Keep the medicine container, and go to the hospital immediately.

• Heatstroke: Cool the patient's body, take them to a cool place, and administer water or ORS.

• Bone fracture: Keep the limb still, do not move it, and see a doctor immediately.

How to Take the Right Decision in an Emergency

Your cool mind and the right decision can save someone's life.

• First, keep yourself safe, then help the patient, because your safety is paramount.

• Assess the situation and give first aid immediately—do not delay.

• Call the ambulance or helpline number immediately; it is important to take the patient to the hospital after first aid.

• If you give medicine, note it down so that the correct information can be given to the doctor later.

• Do not panic; confidence and stability are most important in first aid.

Essential Gadgets & Medicines to Keep at Home for Emergencies

Item	Purpose
Emergency Gadgets
Thermometer	Measures body temperature during fever.
Pulse Oximeter	Monitors oxygen saturation in blood.
BP Monitor	Checks blood pressure levels regularly.
Glucometer	Measures blood sugar for diabetes management.
Flashlight	For use in dark places or power cuts.
Digital Watch	Tracks time for medicines or emergency timing.
Scissors & Tweezers	Cuts bandages or removes splinters/insects.
Emergency Medicines
Aspirin	For heart attack symptoms and chest pain.
ORS/Glucose Powder	Restores hydration and energy quickly.
Antiseptic Cream	Treats cuts, wounds, and skin infections.
Tramadol/Diclofenac	Painkillers for injury or severe pain.
Salbutamol Inhaler	Opens airways during asthma attacks.
Loratadine/Cetirizine	For allergy relief and nasal congestion.
Norfloxacin/Metronidazole	Quick relief from stomach infections.
Paracetamol	Used to reduce fever and mild pain.

FAQs—Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Should every person keep a first-aid kit?
Yes, a first-aid kit should be mandatory in every home, vehicle, and office, as emergencies can occur at any time.

Q2: Which three medicines should be in every medical kit?
Aspirin, glucose powder, and antiseptic cream—all three are essential for providing immediate relief.

Q3: Can life-saving medicine be given without consulting a doctor?
In an emergency, if the symptoms are clear and you have information, it can be given in limited quantities.

Q4: Should there be a separate first-aid kit for children?
Yes, the dosage for children is less, so there should be a separate kit according to their needs.

Q5: Should medicines be checked from time to time?
Of course! Once a month, check the medications' expiration dates in the first aid box.

Online Courses, Reference Books, & Websites

Category	Resources
Online Courses	Coursera – First Aid & Emergency Care edX – Emergency Medical Training Udemy – Basic Life Support (BLS)
Reference Books	Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine Manual First Aid Manual by St John Ambulance
Websites	emedicine.medscape.com redcross.org – First Aid Resources who. who.int – Emergency Health Guidelines

Note to readers: This article is intended for awareness purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or your personal health.