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Imagine you are enjoying a relaxing day at home, and then suddenly, the worst happens; your child starts clutching their chest and gasping for air. Or you could be on holiday, and they slip and have an injury that leaves them with broken bones. Read on to learn how to get support for medical emergencies at home or while on holiday.

The Role of Emergency Medical Services

If you are at home, the first thing to do is to receive professional emergency medical assistance. When faced with a life-threatening situation, you should use the FREE-to-use iER App to connect to ambulance services. You can get instant access to emergency support services, from paramedics to crisis support, from the comfort of your home.

On holiday, you can also rely on the nationwide network of over 18 000 medical and non-medical emergency service providers. If you don’t know local contact numbers, you can have peace of mind knowing that iER is your safety companion to guide you through moments where survival is a priority. Most importantly, having quality emergency medical cover like Affinity Rescue can ensure adequate transportation to the nearest treating facility without worrying about expenses when considering casualty stabilisation.

How the iER App is Your Lifeline in a Crisis

The FREE-to-use iER App is a leading emergency response app designed to keep you safe in a crisis, no matter where you are. The emergency contact centre dispatches rapid assistance depending on the crisis you face to ensure medical help reaches you within the time needed to better a life-threatening situation. This includes highly trained paramedics who are equipped to handle life-threatening situations such as heart attacks, strokes, and severe injuries.

The seamless coordination with response services nationwide means easy access to ambulances, fire rescue services and the police, no matter the type of emergency. Most importantly, assistance is available 24/7 to ensure you have the support you need whenever possible. You can send a general or silent alert or use the panic button to alert the emergency centre to dispatch responders who can handle the crisis professionally and put your mind at ease.

Understand How First Aid is Your First Line of Defence

In most medical emergencies, what you can do before the responders arrive can significantly impact the outcome. Having basic first aid knowledge can save lives. Here’s what you should do in common medical emergency scenarios:

• Heart Attack: Help the person sit comfortably, loosen tight clothing, and call for emergency help immediately using the FREE-to-use iER App.
• Choking: Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre, an abdominal upward thrust to dislodge the object obstructing if the person is unable to breathe or cough.
• Severe Bleeding: Apply firm pressure to the wound with a clean cloth until medical help arrives.
• Burns: Run cool water over the affected area to ensure it’s not ice-cold, then cover it with a sterile, non-fluffy dressing.

Tips for Medical Emergencies While Travelling

Medical emergencies while travelling can be terrifying, but preparation can be lifesaving. Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe:

• Always use the iER App: No matter where you are in the country, the FREE-to-use iER App connects you to the nearest emergency responders.
• Carry Essential Documents: Have a copy of your medical history, prescriptions, and insurance details in case emergency responders require this information at the scene of an accident.
• Know Your Coverage: Understand your medical cover benefits to ensure there aren’t exclusions, such as using provider network hospitals or co-payments that should be made upfront at a treating facility for specific procedures.
• Locate Nearby Medical Facilities: Before travelling, research the nearest hospitals and clinics in your destination to familiarise yourself in case of emergencies.

Unexpected medical emergencies can be overwhelming, but they can be easier to handle with reliable emergency response. Emergencies strike when you least expect them. Being prepared, whether through emergency contacts, first aid training, or using the FREE-to-use iER App, ensures you and your loved ones receive medical care immediately.

You can now download the iER App from the Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, or the Huawei App Gallery. You can click here if you have questions about the FREE-to-use iER App. Stay updated with our latest news by following us on: