The ADA Says…

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides rules on service dogs as an accessibility avenue for folks with disabilities. There is a legal obligation to allow service dogs for folks who need them at public events like the conventions we serve. These rules outline a specific definition of service dog. To be classified as a service dog, the following criteria need to be met:

• The dog has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability
• The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability

Asking About The Dog

The ADA puts some restrictions on the kinds of questions you can legally ask about the dog in order to protect the human from privacy violations and harassment. Luckily, the two rules about this make sense and are easy to remember:

• Is this a service dog required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You may not ask what the disability is or for medical documentation, nor ask that the dog demonstrate the task. Service dogs are not required to be registered or wear a particular tag or harness, and you may not require such things of a service dog team. There are also limitations on the dog and its human. The service dog can be removed if it displays aggressive behavior towards others, is out of control, or isn’t housebroken. In general, the dog shouldn’t be separated from their human, but that option should be presented to the human to allow them to make the choice that’s right for them when possible.

Dos and Don’ts

Beyond any legalities, there are some basic dos and don’t for interacting with a service dog and their human:

• Don’t speak to or touch a service dog while it’s working
• Don’t ask what the human’s disability is, or for medical documentation.
• Don’t ask that the dog demonstrate any task.
• Don’t offer food or water to the dog without the human’s approval
• Don’t assume that a service dog taking a nap is off duty
• Don’t give commands to the dog, as that’s their human’s responsibility
• Do speak to the human
• Do keep other animals away from the dog
• Do ask the human how you can assist, rather than assuming
• Do treat both human and dog with same respect and consideration as any other convention attendee

Service Dogs Are Cute, But…

Being supportive to service dogs is part of our role in providing first aid. Service dogs should never be separated from their human during provision of care. In the unlikely event that the human needs to be transported to the hospital by ambulance, ensure that the dog stays with them, or arrange for separate transport of the dog to the hospital.

Every congoer should be aware of service dogs and how to conduct themselves in situations where such dogs are present. Service dog teams are there to have fun, just like us! 

You can find more information about the ADA’s provisions for service animals at their website. If UsagiMed is present at your convention, we encourage you to check in with your service dog. Usagi Medical Group volunteers are familiar with providing care to service dogs as well as their humans. Let us be involved in training your crew to handle these quadruped attendees!

​Prevent Emergencies, Duh

First, of course, it’s best to prevent emergencies. Entire books have been written on this topic. For the purposes of this blog, you should be prepared. Get a first aid kit and learn how to use it. Do a risk assessment of your home environment (and people) and figure out where the dangers are. Additionally, learning how to perform certain life saving procedures, like CPR and the Abdominal Thrusts Maneuver, can be crucial in sudden life or death situations where an immediate response is necessary.

Get Ready
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But when you need to call an ambulance, there are several measures you can take prior to picking up the phone to make it easier for the ambulance (or emergency services) to assist you. Melissa Sawyer, Communications Specialist with Northwell Health Center for Emergency Medical Services, states that making sure your home can be found is one of the best ways to help the ambulance get the patient to the hospital quickly, safely, and securely.
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The first thing you must be able to share is the location of the emergency. One needs to be able to describe how to get the responders to where the emergency is. That may include an address, gate code, location inside of a structure etc. Many emergencies occur outside the home; always know where you are so you can request help accurately.

Make sure that your house and the house numbers are clearly visible from the outside, unobstructed by bushes, trees, or any other physical barriers. If you are inside of a house or building with any flashlights, porch lights, or any items that emit powerful light, place them outside of your house to make sure that the ambulance can see your building address number. Additionally, hiding a key in front of your house can be very beneficial, since you can inform emergency responders over the phone of its location to let them gain entry to your home in the event you’re hurt inside your home. 

Share Good Information

It’s important to remain calm and convey good information to emergency dispatchers when you call an ambulance. When the responders arrive, there are many tips to help ensure paramedics are able to do their job as efficiently and safely as possible. Important information includes:

• Location of Emergency
• Your phone number
• Signs and symptoms
• Allergies
• Medications
• Pertinent history
• Last oral intake (food, drink, drugs, etc.)
• Events leading up to the call
  
  For medical emergencies, you might tell a dispatcher:  “I have an emergency at 1234 Wisteria Way. I am Sally Smith calling from 770-555-5678. My mother just collapsed. She is covered in hives and has difficulty breathing. The front door is unlocked, and I’ll have my sister meet you in the driveway.” Once medics are on site, they may want to know more: “She’s allergic to nuts and watermelon. She takes blood pressure medication. She ate a fruit salad about twenty minutes ago….”  

You always want to make sure that you know any urgent information about the patient’s state, especially if they are unable to speak or are unresponsive, in order to quickly provide the responders with as much information as possible. Being able to relay to the medical professionals where the patient was and what they were doing in the moments prior to the incident, what the patient is experiencing, and whether or not this issue has happened before are all important for paramedics to know. 

Do your best to convey as much of the patient’s personal information, medical history, and medication names and dosages as possible. (Not to mention any known allergies.) This will allow the paramedics and emergency room staff to treat the patient without risking allergic reactions or prescribing treatment that cannot be mixed with medications that the patient is already taking.

Call An Ambulance!

Additionally, when you call an ambulance it’s crucial to watch for the incoming ambulance, and if possible, have someone stay near the street close to your location so they can direct the ambulance to the right house. Make sure there are no obstructions or obstacles blocking the paramedics from getting to your location, including cars, furniture, patio items, as well as dogs, cats, or other large animals.

An emergency situation is no joke. While knowing to call 911 in a dire event is crucial, remembering these tips can make the difference between simply calling for help and getting the proper help for your loved one as efficiently as can be.​