The four things you must NEVER do in a medical emergency, according to an ER ... trends now
If a loved one suddenly collapses in the park or stops breathing at dinner, your instincts may quickly take over.
But doctors say you could save a life if you resist the urge to let emotions take over.
Dr John Torres, an emergency physician at Premier Urgent Care in Colorado Springs and senior medical contributor to NBC News, has revealed his list of the top four mistakes patients make in an emergency.
It comes after rapid CPR was credited with saving the life of Buffalo Bills' footballer Damar Hamlin who suffered a freak heart injury that caused an on-field cardiac arrest.
Dr John Torres, an emergency medical physician at Premier Urgent Care in Colorado Springs has revealed his list of the top four mistakes patients make when rushing to the hospital in an emergency
Don't call loved ones first
Believe it or not, when disaster strikes for many people their first response is to call a loved one — parent, child, or sibling — to ask for help.
But Dr Torres says that instead, the first point of call should always be to the emergency number 911.
He said that calling someone else wastes valuable time, that could be used to help treat the patient.
'Once you get to the hospital, you can call everybody you want,' Dr Torres said. 'You have plenty of time.'
Doctors say driving someone to the hospital actually delays their treatment because ambulances are kitted out with medical devices that can help them
Don't drive someone to the hospital
With an average ambulance ride now costing $1,277, according to FAIR Health, many are opting to drive their loved ones to hospital.
But Dr Torres notes that although this may seem faster, it actually delays a patient getting treatment.
This is because ambulances are kitted out with medical devices and staffed by medical professionals to help patients.
Devices on board can include heart rate monitors and defibrillators, suction cups or aspirators that can clear airways, and incubators to keep patients warm.
Dr Torres adds that driving someone to the hospital can prove very distracting for the driver, raising the risk of accidents.
Hospitals in Wisconsin estimate that about 20 percent of
