Emergencies

Hands on Health - SC gives you this information to help you be better prepared for those unexpected accidents and illnesses. However, you should not count on the Internet in a true medical emergency. Copy down information such as phone numbers of your doctor, poison control center, and other emergency services and place near your phone.

Using first aid, you may be able to take care of some problems yourself, but in an emergency, Dial 911. If that service is not available to you, call an emergency medical service. Other national emergency numbers you may call for certain emergency situations are:

Poison Control Center 1- 800-222-1222
Suicide Helpline 1- 800-SUICIDE

We hope you don't have any emergencies, but you should be prepared anyway. Look at the following sites to learn what to do if an emergency happens and what you should have at home, in your car, or in the wilderness for first aid. You may also find some important numbers to keep by your telephone.

Emergency Preparedness

6 Ways to Prepare for a Disaster
(AARP)
Has information on how you or a senior you know can prepare for different types of emergencies. Includes a video and links where you can learn more on how to prepare.
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2016/disater-preparedness-s
afety-tips.html
Emergency Preparedness & Response
(Centers for Disease Control)
This is the "Terrorism and Public Health" site of the CDC, with information for healthcare providers and the public. Learn about biological agents like smallpox, sarin gas, anthrax, and other threats like radiation emergencies. Select Who to Contact in an Emergency for advice and a link to state and some city and county health department Web sites. Select Agents, Diseases and Threats for a listing of biological and chemical agents and radiation emergencies. Other sections include Preparation and Planning, Preparedness and Children, Mass Trauma Preparedness and Response and much more.
https://emergency.cdc.gov/
Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers
(Centers for Disease Control)
This webpage provides information and tips on how you or someone you know can prepare a senior and/or caregiver for an emergency. Includes an emergency readiness checklist and lists you can fill out with emergency contact information and current medications.
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/emergency/index.htm
FEMA Ready Kids
(Federal Emergency Management Agency)
This website for children gives tips on how families can be prepared for a disaster. There is a section for games, as well as one for parents and teachers.
https://www.ready.gov/kids
Hurricane Preparedness: A Guide to Eating Healthy in an Emergency
(Everyday Health)
Provides information on what residents should do in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane to plan for healthy eating. The guide is a food preparedness resource for hurricane and natural disasters.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-home/hurricane-preparedness-guide-to
-healthy-eating.aspx
Prepare for Emergencies Now: Information for People with Disabilities
(Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Has information on how you or a person you know with disabilities can prepare for an emergency. Includes list of needed emergency supplies, how to make plans on what to do in an emergency and ways on how you can be informed.
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/FEMA_Disabilities_R-6_web_june201
2.pdf
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READY.gov
This site is from the new Department of Homeland Security. It has information for citizens about being prepared in case of a terrorist attack. Much of the advice is useful for any emergency preparedness. Select Make a Kit to learn about food and water, clean air, first aid supplies, and special needs items. Select Make a Plan to find out how to plan for staying in your home or leaving. Select Be Informed to learn more about the kinds of threats and how to protect yourself.
https://www.ready.gov/
South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD)
The SCEMD's Website includes evacuation routes and maps, Emergency Alert System and NOAA radio frequencies, general preparation tips and what to do during and after a hurricane, information for people with pets or animals, shelters by county, and important web sites and phone numbers. Select the current guide from the list. Also available in Spanish.
https://www.scemd.org/
Tips for People with Hearing Impairments
(Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco)
Provides tips and a short checklist on how you or someone you know with hearing impairments can prepare for an emergency.
http://www.ilrcsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Hearing-Impaired.pdf
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First Aid

Continuous Chest Compression CPR
(University of Arizona School of Medicine)
This new method of CPR does not require mouth-to mouth contact. Continuous Chest Compression CPR is a hands-only method developed by physicians at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Click on the link to view a video demonstration.
https://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health/learn-cpr/video-learn-chest-compress
ion-only-cpr
First Aid & Safety
Kids' Health for Parents of the Nemours Foundation, created this site. In addition to some of the usual first aid information, the site shows you how to child proof your home. It also has information about first aid that you can teach your children.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/firstaid-safe/
First-Aid Guide
(MayoClinc.com)
This site is brought to you by the Mayo Clinic. It is a good overall guide to general first aid. It covers everything from insect bites to heart attacks.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid
Search by Symptom on Family Doctor.org
This is a site is designed to help you decide what action to take when you have a health problem. You can work through 45 different problems. After selecting a problem, you are stepped through a flowchart of symptoms, diagnosis, and care. Depending on how you answer questions, you may be instructed to do something at home to contact your doctor.
https://familydoctor.org/your-health-resources/health-tools/symptom-checker
/

Hotlines and Helplines

1-800-SUICIDE
If you are in need of help and cannot get help through the South Carolina numbers listed above, you may call 1-800-SUICIDE
Phone: 1-800-784-2433
2-1-1
Information and referral for non-emergency human services needs are available through a three-digit, 24 hour/7 day, non-emergency help service in the following counties: Aiken, Barnwell, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Richland, Newberry and Lexington. If you live in these counties, you can get help and information about services in your area by simply dialing 2-1-1.

This number will help you find non-emergency help such as:

  • Counseling
  • Food and shelter
  • Suicide prevention
  • Emergency shelter for children and battered women
  • Other human service needs
If you are calling from a cell phone, pay phone, or are outside the 2-1-1 calling area, the following numbers will connect you to the same service:

Aiken County HELP LINE (Aiken and Barnwell Counties)
Toll Free 1-877-648-9900 or 1-803-648-9900
Aiken County HELP LINE
https://aikenhelpline211.org/site/

Trident United Way (Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties)
Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-922-2283
or Local: 1-843-744-HELP (4357)
Trident United Way
http://www.tuw.org/

United Way of the Midlands (Fairfield, Richland, Newberry, and Lexington Counties)
Toll Free 1-866-892-9211 or 1-803-933-9857
United Way of the Midlands
http://www.uway.org/get_help/
Beckman Mental Health Center Crisis Line
Serves Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda Counties.
Phone: 1-800-868-2642
Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center
Serves Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties
Phone: 1-800-922-7844
South Carolina 2-1-1
(United Way of Greenville County)
https://sc211.org/
Serves Greenville/Anderson area
Hotline 864-271-8888
Teen Hotline 864-467-8336
Helpline 864-467-3300
Survivors of Suicide 864-271-8888
Greenwood United Way
https://unitedwaygac.org/
Serves Greenwood and Abbeville County areas
Phone: 1-864-229-4103
LowcountryHelp.org
https://www.tuw.org/
Serves Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties
Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-922-2283
or Local Hotline: 1-843-744-HELP (4357)

Tool Free TeenLine: 1-800-273.TALK (8255)
or Local TeenLine: 1-843-747-TEEN (8336)
Pee Dee Mental Health
Serves Florence, Darlington, and Marion Counties
Phone: 843-317-4073
United Way 2-1-1
https://www.uway.org/get-help
Serves Fairfield, Richland, Newberry and Lexington Counties
Phone: 733-5487

Poison Control Centers

The National Poison Control
https://www.poison.org/
Phone: 1-800-222-1222
Palmetto Poison Center
https://poison.sc.edu/
The only poison control center in the state of South Carolina is at the USC College of Pharmacy. The Palmetto Poison Center can give you medical advice concerning overdose or poisoning from prescription drugs, street drugs, household products, chemicals, plants, insect bites, snake bites, etc. Mr. Yuck stickers and other poison prevention materials are available from the Palmetto Poison Center.
The business telephone is 803-777-7909. The hotline number is 800-222-1222.

SC Hospitals

Facilities Directory of the Veterans Health Administration: South Carolina
This directory of the Veterans Health Administration provides information about their services in South Carolina. The Veterans Health Administration operates two Health Centers, four Outpatient Clinics and three Vet Centers.
https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?dnum=ALL&STATE=SC
South Carolina Hospital Association
The South Carolina Hospital Association's Web site provides an interactive map linking you to all the hospitals that are members of the Association. It is quick and easy. On the map, select the county you need.
https://www.scha.org/about/hospitals

Last Modified: Thursday February 20, 2020 11:45 AM