Medical Emergency Decision Tree

A decision protocol for non-medical-professionals to determine the appropriate response level during a medical emergency. Level 1 — Call 911/Emergency Services IMMEDIATELY if: Chest pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty — FAST), severe bleeding that won't stop with direct pressure, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction (throat swelling, difficulty breathing), seizure in someone without a seizure disorder, or suspected poisoning/overdose. Level 2 — Urgent Care or ER (within hours) if: Broken bones (suspected), deep cuts needing stitches, high fever with confusion, severe abdominal pain, head injury with vomiting or confusion. Level 3 — Doctor within 1-3 days if: Persistent fever, worsening symptoms despite home treatment, new or changing symptoms that concern you. While waiting for emergency services: (1) Don't move the person unless they're in danger. (2) Apply direct pressure to bleeding wounds. (3) If they're unconscious but breathing, place them on their side (recovery position). (4) If they're not breathing and you're trained, begin CPR. (5) Note the time symptoms started — this information is critical for stroke and heart attack treatment.

When to use it

Any time you witness or experience a medical event and are unsure of the appropriate response. Keep this decision tree accessible (refrigerator, phone notes) so you can reference it during an actual emergency rather than relying on memory under stress.

How it can help

Provides a clear decision tree during the exact moments when panic impairs decision-making. The most dangerous mistake in medical emergencies isn't over-reacting — it's under-reacting due to normalcy bias ('It's probably nothing') or bystander effect ('Someone else will handle it'). The FAST stroke protocol and the 'while waiting' actions can be genuinely life-saving. The three-tier response level prevents both under-treatment (ignoring serious symptoms) and over-treatment (ER visits for non-emergencies).