Emergency Quick Card
Download PDFEmergency Quick Card
Fill in, print, keep in your wallet, bag and by the door.
About me
Name
Date of birth
Blood type
Allergies
Medical conditions
Medications and doses
Emergency contact 1 (local): name and phone
Emergency contact 2 (out of area): name and phone
Meeting point near home
Meeting point outside the neighbourhood
Local emergency number(s)
First actions in any emergency
- Stay calm. Stop and look around.
- Check for danger: fire, gas, collapse, shooting, flood water. Move away only if staying is more dangerous.
- Get help: call or text the local emergency number, or send someone.
- Treat life threats first: heavy bleeding, not breathing, choking.
- Get to shelter: protection from danger, weather and cold.
- Secure safe water, then food.
Survival priorities (rough guide)
People can survive about 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in harsh weather, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. Use this to decide what to do first. Real limits vary.
Signals for help
- Three of anything: 3 whistle blasts, 3 flashes of light, 3 fires in a triangle.
- SOS: ··· – – – ··· (3 short, 3 long, 3 short) by light, sound or tapping.
- Ground-to-air: a large V = need help; a large X = need medical help. Make it big (3+ metres) and in contrast to the ground.
- If trapped: tap on a pipe or wall and use a whistle. Shout only when you hear rescuers (saves energy, avoids dust).
Two things to remember
warning: Water: if unsure, boil it. Use a rolling boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 2,000 m). Let it cool, keep it covered.
danger: Heavy bleeding: press hard on the wound with both hands and do not let go until help arrives.
Free printable guides and the HAVEN offline survival app: havensurvival.com
Sources
- Ready.gov / FEMA: Build a Kit, Make a Plan (ready.gov)
- IFRC: International First Aid, Resuscitation and Education Guidelines 2020
- CDC: Making Water Safe in an Emergency (cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency)
If someone is seriously injured or ill, get trained help as fast as possible.
General information only - not a substitute for trained medical help or official instructions.