Emergency Procedures

Every museum should have written policies on emergency evacuation procedures. Check with your supervisor to clarify what the policies are and how they will affect you. The following is a set of general guidelines concerning emergencies and patrons with disabilities. They are not meant to replace the policies in place at your museum.

Evacuation

While your first instinct may be to evacuate the patron with a disability before the others, this is not usually what emergency personnel would encorage. Instead, reassure the patron that you will send trained emergency personnel to them. You should then evacuate, find the emergency personnel, and alert them that a patron with a disability needs assistance right away. You will need to give them the exact location of the patron. Remain calm and give them accurate, concise directions to the patron. Follow up with management to be sure that the patron with the disability has been evacuated.

Medical Conditions

Seizures

First Aid During Seizure: Although it is advisable that all museum personnel be provided CPR and other emergency training, the following plan of action is recommended by the Epilepsy Foundation of America:

• Keep calm and reassure other people who may be nearby.
• Clear the area around the person of anything hard or sharp.
• Loosen ties or anything around the neck that might make breathing difficult.
• Put something flat and soft, like a folded jacket, under the head.
• Turn him gently onto his side. This will help keep the airway clear. Do not try to force his mouth open with any hard implement or with fingers. It is not true that a person having a seizure can swallow his tongue. Efforts to hold the tongue down can injure teeth or jaw.
• Don’t hold the person down or try to stop his movements.
• Don’t attempt artificial respiration except in the unlikely event that a person does not start breathing again after the seizure has stopped.
• Stay with the person until the seizure ends naturally.
• Be friendly and reassuring as consciousness returns.
• Offer to call a taxi, friend or relative to help the person get home if her seems confused or unable to get home by himself. It is usually not necessary to call an ambulance unless the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, another seizure begins soon after the first, or the person cannot be awakened after the jerking movements have stopped. If the person having the seizure seems ill, injured, or is pregnant, an ambulance should be called. However, always try to ask the individual if they want or need 911 assistance before placing the call.

Hypoglycemia or Hyperglycemia

A person with diabetes can manifest hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia very quickly, with little warning. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include trembling, sweating, nausea or vomiting, heart palpitations, visible loss of blood from the face, tingling in the body and blurred vision. If not immediately treated, the person can become confused, exhibit physical changes such as staggering or irritability, and experience slurred speech. Extreme cases can result in unconsciousness. The symptoms of hyperglycemia include thirst, dehydration, tiredness and general feelings of being unwell and blurred vision. In both instances, the person with diabetes, if diagnosed, should be able to provide information to best assist them. However, the patron should be allowed to sit or lie down if possible, and juice or a carbohydrate should be offered the individual. It is important to determine the needs of the patron by talking with a companion or medical specialist if the patron or companion is unable to respond. Always try to ask the patron before contacting 911 or other emergency services.

Oxygen Tanks

Some patrons may have medical conditions such as emphysema or decreased lung capacity that require the use of any oxygen tank. Like mobility devices, white canes and guide dogs, these are tools vital to the welfare of the patron and should not be taken from them. Ask the patron for guidance and familiarize yourself with the proper way to transport tanks to assure the comfort and safety of all patrons. Sometimes patrons will be able to turn off the equipment during a tour, but many times they cannot. Be prepared to accommodate the patron, as well as patrons who may be affected by the medical equipment.

Ventilators

Modern technology makes it possible for people who use ventilators to be a regular part of mainstream society and to enjoy all aspects of living in a community. A ventilator is an automatic, mechanical device designed to assist a person’s breathing or to take over breathing altogether. These devices are powered by electricity or by batteries. Patrons may use a power wheelchair with a portable ventilator attached to the back of the chair. The ventilator will create a constant sound that will be heard by patrons near the individual. However, ventilators must never be taken away from the patron. You may need to provide an alternate route or alternate seating in your theater or auditorium with access to an electrical outlet.

Questions You Should Ask About Your Museum

• What are the museum evacuation and emergency procedures and policies?
• Are emergency numbers clearly posted near the telephone?
• How does the museum staff communicate to supervisors and other personnel when an emergency occurs and they feel they cannot leave the patron?