Getting help in a medical emergency

Find out when to call an ambulance, what to expect and what you can do while you are waiting for help to arrive.

Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning happens when someone has drunk a dangerous amount of alcohol, usually over a short period of time. Alcohol poisoning is serious and can sometimes be fatal.

Anaphylaxis (severe allergy)

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction and a medical emergency. It can happen in a few minutes and can cause death.

Bites and stings

If you or a whānau member has been bitten or stung, the injury can be serious. It’s important to know what to do.

Broken bones

Signs of a broken bone (fracture), different types of breaks and how to help someone with a broken bone.

Bruises

A bruise is a collection of blood under the skin. They happen if you get a soft tissue injury.

Burns

If a person has suffered a burn, they may need your help and you may need to call an ambulance. You can start first aid for burns once the area where the accident occurred has been made safe.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas. If you breathe it in (inhale it) it can cause illness and in severe cases death.

Chemical poisoning

Poisoning means exposure to a substance that is harmful to your body. Poisons can be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through your skin, or injected under your skin. Nearly all poisonings are accidental.

Choking

Choking happens when something — often food — becomes stuck in a person's windpipe, blocking it. This makes it difficult or impossible to breathe.

CPR (resuscitation)

If someone stops breathing, they need CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Find out how to do CPR.

Cuts, scrapes and wounds first aid

You can usually take care of minor cuts and scrapes at home without seeing a healthcare professional.

Dehydration

If you are dehydrated, it means your body has lost more fluids than you have drunk. If it gets worse, it can be a serious problem and life threatening.

Dislocated joints first aid

Dislocated joints happen when a bone comes out of its normal joint. The most common joints to dislocate are shoulders, fingers and kneecaps. Dislocations commonly happen during sporting activities or are caused by a fall.

Drowning

Every year, around 80 people in Aotearoa New Zealand lose their lives to drowning. Find out what to do if someone is drowning.

Drug overdose

A drug overdose happens when someone takes a poisonous amount of a drug or medicine. Drug overdoses can be life-threatening.

Fainting and dizziness

Fainting is when you briefly lose consciousness. It is caused by reduced blood flow to your brain. This can also make people feel light-headed or dizzy.

Foreign object in the ear or nose

If you or your tamaiti (child) has something stuck in their ear or nose, follow the steps on this page to try to safely remove it, and find out when to get help.

Foreign object in the eye

If you or someone else has something in the eye and it is not coming out naturally, it is important to deal with it as soon as possible.

Heavy bleeding

If you are bleeding heavily, it is important to apply firm pressure to try to stop the flow. Find out how, and when to get help.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

You might feel heat exhaustion when your body's natural mechanisms are working hard to keep your body temperature stable. Heat stroke is when your body temperature rises too high — it is a dangerous condition.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is fast, deep over-breathing. It is commonly caused by anxiety, panic or stress. While it is frightening, it is not usually dangerous.

Lead poisoning

Too much exposure to lead can cause lead poisoning and associated health problems. It can take months or years to develop lead poisoning if you are exposed to a small amount. A lot of lead exposure can quickly lead to more serious lead poisoning.

Seizures

Find out what to do if someone is having a seizure that causes them to collapse and have convulsions.

Self care at home

With the right supplies and information, most minor cuts and grazes, bruises, sprains, or coughs and colds can be managed at home without needing medical help.

Soft tissue injuries and treatment

Strains and sprains are common soft tissue injuries. They can affect your muscles, tendons, joint capsules and ligaments.

Unconscious but breathing

If someone does not respond to noise or touch, it is likely they are unconscious. Find out what to do if someone is unconscious but still breathing.