Emergency · One tap at a time
What's happening right now?
Take one breath. Tap what's going on for the immediate steps. If it's serious or you're unsure, call first.
- Don't rush to lift them. Keep them still and comfortable.
- Check: are they awake and making sense? Any severe pain, a limb at an odd angle, or a head knock?
- Any of those, or unsure → call 112. Especially head injury or someone on blood thinners.
- If minor and fully alert, help up slowly; then watch 24–48h for pain, drowsiness, confusion or vomiting.
- FAST: Face drooping? Arm can't lift? Speech slurred?
- Time — if any of these, call 112 now and note the time symptoms started.
- No food, drink or medicine. Keep calm, head slightly raised.
- Don't "wait and see" — the treatment window is tight.
- Call 112 now if pain is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, or comes with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to arm/neck/jaw.
- Have them stop, sit and rest leaning back; loosen tight clothing.
- Follow the dispatcher's instructions on any medication — don't guess.
- Don't drive them yourself if an ambulance is available.
- A sudden change in alertness or thinking (over hours/days) is a medical emergency — not "just old age".
- Get them seen urgently — call 112 or get to a doctor fast.
- Common causes: infection (urine/chest), dehydration, low sugar, a new medicine, a fall.
- Bring their medicine list; mention any fever, pain or recent falls.
- Get urgent care / call 112 if there's confusion, breathing trouble, chest pain, stiff neck, a rash that doesn't fade, persistent vomiting, or they seem very unwell.
- In frail older adults, don't wait — fever can mean serious infection.
- Sips of fluid if alert and able to swallow.
- Don't start antibiotics on your own — the cause needs checking.
- Try again, try a landline, message — phone may be silent/charging/out of network.
- Call a neighbour, relative or carer who can physically check (this is why their numbers matter).
- Check any shared location or smart-device activity; call building security.
- Still worried and no one can get in → call 112 with the address, age and known conditions.
This is general information, not medical advice. Always follow the emergency dispatcher and your parent's doctors. In India: 112 (emergency) · 108 (ambulance).
Worth Knowing
Bookmark this page on your phone now, while it's calm. Pair it with an Emergency Card on the fridge and an emergency-ready plan — so future-you isn't searching during the worst ten minutes of the year.