Poll: Most Americans unprepared to help in a medical emergency
Most adults are unprepared or lack confidence to help if a medical emergency occurs, according to a new public poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). And, that confidence wanes as medical emergencies become more serious.
“Anyone can become a first responder in an emergency,” said William Jaquis, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. “The first person on the scene of a medical emergency is rarely a medical professional and there are few basic skills that anyone can learn that could save a life, or significantly improve the chances of survival, while waiting for professionals to arrive.”