1   Recognizing a medical emergency and taking action can save a life. How do you know when to call for help?

2   When Rocky Rombough’s grandfather choked on a piece of salmon skin, Rocky knew just what to do. The teen had taken the American Red Cross first-aid course at his karate school. He had learned the Heimlich maneuver, which he performed. The Heimlich maneuver forces a person who is choking to expel the object being choked on. When emergency workers arrived a few moments later, they said Rocky had saved his grandfather’s life.

3   Sixteen-year-old L.C. Mixon saved a neighbor baby’s life by keeping his cool in an emergency. Twenty-two-month-old Ricky Henderson’s mother found him face down in a wading pool after she turned away for a moment to help her other child. Mrs. Henderson brought Ricky inside, called 911, and ran to get L.C. from a neighboring apartment. L.C. found that Ricky had a pulse but was not breathing. He performed rescue breathing until Ricky began to cough and vomit. Then he turned Ricky on his side, left him with his mother, and went outside to direct paramedics to the apartment. Ricky recovered fully, thanks to L.C.’s training and quick thinking.

Prepareing for an Emergency

4   Both teens recognized medical emergencies and took appropriate action. According to experts, the key in any emergency is to remain calm, know what to do, and make a decision to act.

5   No one wants to be faced with an emergency. That’s why the best medicine is prevention. This includes eliminating hazards in the home, such as objects to trip on and harmful chemicals that small children might ingest.

6   Prevention doesn’t always work, though. So it’s essential to be prepared for any emergency. Steps in preparation include keeping a well-stocked first-aid kit, knowing how to recognize the warning signs of an emergency, taking a first-aid class, and knowing who to call if an emergency occurs. In most areas, calling 911 will connect you with help. But this does not apply in all communities.

7   What is a medical emergency?  In general, a medical emergency is a situation in which someone can suffer extensive harm or die unless help is received quickly.

When to Get Help

8   Not every mishap or illness is an emergency, of course. It’s important to learn the difference between a situation that is and is not. A small cut, for example, does not need stitches or other medical attention. But a deep cut or one that won’t stop bleeding is an emergency and requires a trip to the ER. Chest pain in a young person who often gets indigestion probably is not an emergency. But sudden chest pain in an adult who does not routinely get heartburn could be a heart attack and is an emergency.

9   Another decision you must make is how to get the victim to the hospital. If the person’s condition is life-threatening, always call 911. If moving the person requires the skills of a paramedic, call 911. And if the condition is likely to worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital, call 911.

10   When you call 911, identify yourself and your location. Briefly explain the nature of the emergency. Answer any questions the dispatcher asks, and don’t hang up until the dispatcher says it’s OK to do so.

11   It’s important to remain calm until the a mbulance arrives. Try to reassure the patient that help is coming.Do not move the person unless it’s absolutely needed in order to prevent further injury. Perform CPR only if it is necessary and you are trained to do so. Put direct pressure with a clean cloth on a bleeding wound and elevate the area. Make a splint to immobilize a broken bone if needed. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. Cover the person to keep him or her warm. Never perform any medical procedure unless you have had training or know the correct technique.

 (656 words)

1.Prevention doesn’t always work, though.

然而预防并非一直有效。

本句中的though意思是“不过，然而”，用于口语中，一般出现在句末。又如：

It is hard work — I enjoy it though.

这工作很艰苦，可是我乐意干。

He doesn’t study hard — he passes all the exams, though.

他学习不用功，但他考试都及格了。

2.Another decision you must make  is how to get the victim to the hospital.

你必须做出的另一项决定是怎样把患者送往医院。

在本句中，you must make是主语Another decision的定语从句，how to get the victim to the hospital是不定式作表语，这个表语也可以看作是名词性从句how you should get the victim to the hospital的缩略形式。

3.Do not move the person unless it’s absolutely needed in order to prevent further injury.

除非绝对需要才可移动病人以防止进一步的伤害。

句中的unless是连接词，可以被if… not替换。又如：

Do not mention this issue unless he asks about it.

除非他问起这个问题，否则就不要提。

* Read the following paragraphs until you have learned them by heart.

Prevention doesn’t always work, though. So it’s essential to be prepared for any emergency. Steps in preparation include keeping a well-stocked first-aid kit, knowing how to recognize the warning signs of an emergency, taking a first-aid class, and knowing who to call if an emergency occurs. In most areas, calling 911 will connect you with help. But this does not apply in all communities.

What is a medical emergency? In general, a medical emergency is a situation in which someone can suffer extensive harm or die unless help is received quickly.