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Quick Reference Cards

Printable emergency guides & essential charts

Quick reference cards for common emergencies - perfect for printing and keeping in your pocket

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Cardiac Arrest - BLS

Immediate Actions

  • •Check safety, responsiveness, breathing
  • •Call for help + defibrillator
  • •Start CPR 30:2 (100-120/min, 5-6cm depth)
  • •Attach defibrillator when available

VF/Pulseless VT (Shockable)

  • 1.Shock 360J (or 200J biphasic)
  • 2.Immediately resume CPR 30:2 for 2 min
  • 3.Check rhythm - if still VF/VT, shock again
  • 4.Adrenaline 1mg IV after 3rd shock, then every 3-5 min
  • 5.Amiodarone 300mg IV after 3rd shock

Asystole/PEA (Non-Shockable)

  • 1.CPR 30:2 for 2 minutes
  • 2.Adrenaline 1mg IV immediately, then every 3-5 min
  • 3.Consider reversible causes (4 H's & 4 T's)
  • 4.Check rhythm every 2 minutes
4 H's & 4 T's: Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hypo/hyperkalaemia, Hypothermia, Thrombosis, Tamponade, Tension pneumothorax, Toxins
Anaphylaxis

Immediate Actions

  • •Adrenaline 0.5mg IM (0.5ml of 1:1000) into anterolateral thigh
  • •Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
  • •Lie patient flat, elevate legs
  • •High-flow oxygen 15L non-rebreather
Diagnosis: Sudden onset, skin/mucosal changes + respiratory/CV compromise

Secondary Treatment

  • •IV access, 500-1000ml fluid bolus
  • •Hydrocortisone 200mg IV
  • •Chlorphenamine 10mg IV
  • •Salbutamol nebulized if wheeze
Monitoring: Observe 6-12 hours minimum, discharge with EpiPen
Dosing: Adrenaline IM: Adult 0.5mg, Child 6-12yrs 0.3mg, Child <6yrs 0.15mg
Major Trauma - ATLS

Primary Survey (ABCDE)

  • •Airway + C-spine control
  • •Breathing + ventilation (chest exam, decompress tension pneumothorax)
  • •Circulation + haemorrhage control (2 large bore IVs, fluids, transfuse)
  • •Disability (GCS, pupils, glucose)
  • •Exposure + environmental control (undress, keep warm)

Massive Transfusion Protocol

1:1:1 ratio (RBC:FFP:Platelets)

Systolic <90, ongoing bleeding, >4 units needed

Stroke Code

Immediate Actions

  • •Note time of symptom onset (critical!)
  • •ABC, oxygen if hypoxic, glucose check
  • •Urgent CT head (within 1 hour)
  • •Do NOT lower BP unless >220/120

FAST Assessment

  • Face drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Speech difficulty
  • Time to call ambulance

Thrombolysis Criteria

Window: Within 4.5 hours of symptom onset

Drug: Alteplase 0.9mg/kg (max 90mg) - 10% bolus, 90% over 60min

Sepsis Six

Within 1 Hour (Sepsis 6)

GIVE
  • 1. High-flow oxygen
  • 2. IV antibiotics (broad spectrum)
  • 3. IV fluids 30ml/kg crystalloid bolus
TAKE
  • 4. Blood cultures (before antibiotics)
  • 5. Measure lactate (VBG)
  • 6. Measure urine output (catheter)
Upper GI Bleed

Resuscitation

  • •2 large bore IV cannulae (14-16G)
  • •Bloods: FBC, crossmatch 4-6 units, U&E, LFTs, coagulation
  • •Fluid resuscitation (crystalloid then blood)
  • •Target Hb >70 g/L (>80 if IHD)

Medical Management

  • •Tranexamic acid 1g IV over 10 min if variceal
  • •PPI: Omeprazole 80mg IV bolus, then 8mg/hour infusion
  • •Terlipressin 2mg IV 4-6 hourly if variceal suspected
  • •Prophylactic antibiotics if cirrhosis: Ceftriaxone 1g IV daily