Human Anatomy · EMT Protocols · Emergency Medicine
Educational Use Only. This guide is intended for learning and study purposes. It does not replace formal EMT training, certified coursework, or medical direction. In a real emergency, call 911 and follow the instructions of licensed medical professionals. Always act within your level of certification and under appropriate medical oversight.
Anatomical Foundations
Body Systems
Trauma
Medical Emergencies
Patient Assessment
Life-Threatening Emergencies
Mnemonics
Vital Signs — Normal Ranges by Age
Age Group
Resp. Rate (/min)
Heart Rate (/min)
Systolic BP (mmHg)
SpO₂ (%)
Newborn (0–1 mo)
30–60
100–160
60–90
≥95
Infant (1–12 mo)
25–50
100–150
70–100
≥95
Toddler (1–3 yr)
20–30
90–150
80–110
≥95
Preschool (3–6 yr)
20–25
80–140
80–110
≥95
School-age (6–12 yr)
15–20
70–120
85–120
≥95
Adolescent (12–18 yr)
12–20
60–100
90–130
≥95
Adult (18–65 yr)
12–20
60–100
90–140
≥95
Elderly (>65 yr)
12–20
60–100
90–150
≥95
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
Component
Response
Score
Eye Opening
Spontaneous
4
To voice
3
To pain
2
None
1
Verbal Response
Oriented
5
Confused
4
Inappropriate words
3
Incomprehensible sounds
2
None
1
Motor Response
Obeys commands
6
Localises pain
5
Withdraws from pain
4
Abnormal flexion (decorticate)
3
Extension (decerebrate)
2
None
1
Total range
3–15
Severe TBI
≤8
Moderate TBI
9–12
Minor TBI
13–15
Shock Classification
Class
Blood Loss
Heart Rate
BP
Mental Status
Treatment Priority
Class I
Up to 750 mL (<15%)
<100
Normal
Normal / anxious
Crystalloid fluid
Class II
750–1500 mL (15–30%)
100–120
Normal / ↓diastolic
Anxious
Crystalloid + blood
Class III
1500–2000 mL (30–40%)
120–140
Decreased
Confused
Blood products
Class IV
>2000 mL (>40%)
>140
Very low
Lethargic / unconscious
Immediate surgery + blood
APGAR Score (Newborn Assessment)
Sign
0
1
2
Appearance (colour)
Blue/pale all over
Blue extremities, pink body
Pink all over
Pulse (heart rate)
Absent
<100 bpm
≥100 bpm
Grimace (reflex)
No response
Grimace
Cry, cough, sneeze
Activity (muscle tone)
Limp
Some flexion
Active motion
Respiration
Absent
Weak, irregular
Strong cry
Score 7–10
Normal
Score 4–6
Requires close monitoring
Score 0–3
Immediate resuscitation
Burns — Rule of Nines
Body Area
Adult %
Child % (approx.)
Head & neck
9%
18%
Each arm
9%
9%
Chest (anterior trunk)
9%
9%
Abdomen (anterior trunk)
9%
9%
Upper back (posterior trunk)
9%
9%
Lower back (posterior trunk)
9%
9%
Each thigh
9%
7%
Each lower leg + foot
9%
7%
Perineum / genitalia
1%
1%
Common EMT Medications
Medication
Indication
Dose (adult)
Route
Notes
Aspirin
Suspected ACS / chest pain
324 mg
PO (chewed)
Contraindicated if aspirin allergy or active GI bleed
Oxygen
Hypoxia (SpO₂ <94%), respiratory distress
Titrate to SpO₂ ≥94%
Inhalation
Use NC for mild; NRB 15 L/min for severe hypoxia
Oral Glucose
Hypoglycaemia (alert patient)
15–25 g
PO
Patient must be conscious and able to swallow
Naloxone (Narcan)
Opioid overdose (respiratory depression)
0.4–2 mg
IN / IM / IV
May require repeat dosing; monitor for re-narcotisation
Epinephrine (EpiPen)
Severe anaphylaxis
0.3 mg (adult) / 0.15 mg (child)
IM (anterolateral thigh)
May repeat once after 5–15 min if no improvement
Nitroglycerin
Chest pain / ACS (with physician order)
0.4 mg
SL
Hold if SBP <90 mmHg or recent PDE-5 inhibitor use
Albuterol
Bronchospasm / asthma / COPD
2.5 mg in 3 mL NS
Nebulised
Assess lung sounds before and after
Activated Charcoal
Certain oral poisonings (if alert, early)
1 g/kg (max 50 g)
PO
Not for corrosives, hydrocarbons, or altered mental status