Smart Safety - 10 Things to Know in a Medical Emergency

If someone you loved suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest, began choking, or stopped breathing, would your family know what to do before first responders arrived?

Fire captain, paramedic, EMS educator Brad Newbury and emergency medical technician Kiera Newbury, BA, NREMT draw on more than 40 years of emergency medical experience and the remarkable true stories featured in The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Ready to Act (Mission Driven Press; August 18, 2026). They explain why saving one life is really about preserving an entire family.

One story follows an 80-year-old grandfather who survived cardiac arrest because bystanders immediately began CPR. The additional months he was given allowed him to watch his granddaughter marry, help launch her nursing career, spend precious time with his family, and leave behind memories that continue to shape their lives today. Another follows an eight-year-old girl whose life was saved after choking in a restaurant. That experience inspired her to become a CPR instructor, train hundreds of people, and advocate for CPR education in schools, creating ripple effects that continue today.

Ten Things Every Family Should Know in a Medical Emergency

• Learn CPR before you need it.
• Call 911 immediately. Don't wait to "see if they get better."
• Put your phone on speaker. This lets you keep both hands free while following the dispatcher's instructions.
• Unlock the front door before EMS arrives and send someone outside to meet first responders.
• Know where the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is. Many schools, gyms, churches, airports, community centers, and office buildings have them.
• Create a family emergency plan. Decide in advance who will call 911, meet first responders outside, gather medications and medical information, and care for children or pets.
• Make sure your house numbers are visible at night.
• Teach everyone in the family where emergency medications are stored.
• Talk with older relatives about their medical history and wishes before an emergency happens.
• Keep a current list of medications, allergies, and medical conditions in an easy-to-find place.

Brad and Kiera believe preparedness isn't about becoming medical experts. It's about making sure that when someone you love needs you most, you'll know how to respond.