Medical and Mental Health

Medical Emergencies

If you believe that someone is experiencing a medical emergency, immediately contact the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone).  Be prepared to provide specific information about your location and the nature of the emergency

Assist the Victim

These measures do not require training and cannot harm a person. Provide care by following these instructions, if it is safe and you are comfortable doing so.

Heart attack / Cardiac arrest

• If the person is unconscious, attempt to wake them up by shaking them and speaking loudly to them
• If their is no pulse, provide Hands-Only CPR by placing your hands in the center of the person’s chest and repeatedly compressing hard and fast
• Do not be afraid, your actions can only help. Do not stop until the person regains consciousness or help arrives
• If there is an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) present, open the AED and follow the instructions – see the AED map for locations 

Seizure

• If a person appears to be having a seizure, do not restrain them or place anything in or near their mouth. Move objects away from them to prevent injury and attempt to protect their head

Protect the airway

• If the person is vomiting or has fluid in their mouth, roll them onto their side to clear their airway

Control bleeding

• If the person is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the bleeding and do not stop until help arrives

Protect the spine

• If the person fell or hit their head, do not move them or allow them to move unless they are in immediate danger.

Keep the victim comfortable

• Keep the person comfortable and safe and do not allow them to take anything by mouth until responders arrive

Heat-related Illness

• Heat Cramps: muscle pains or spasms occur in the stomach, arms, or legs
  • Get person to a cooler location
  • Remove their excess clothing
  • Have person take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar
  • If cramps last more than an hour, call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone)
• Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating; paleness; muscle cramps; tiredness; weakness; dizziness; headache; nausea; vomiting; or fainting
  • Get person to an air-conditioned place to lie down
  • Loosen or remove their clothing
  • Have person take a cool bath
  • Have person take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar
  • If symptoms get worse or last more than an hour, call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone)
• Heat Stroke: person with body temperature above 103 degrees (taken orally); red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; or unconsciousness
  • Call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone) or get the person to a hospital immediately
  • Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives

Extreme Cold 

• Frostbite: loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toe; numbness; white or grayish-yellow skin; firm or waxy skin
  • Get person to a warm room
  • Soak in warm water or use body heat to warm
  • Do not massage or use a heating pad
• Hypothermia: unusually low body temperature (below 95 degrees is an emergency); shivering; exhaustion; confusion; fumbling hands; memory loss; slurred speech; or drowsiness
  • Get person to a warm room
  • Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin
  • Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck

Mental Health Emergencies

If you are concerned that someone is at risk of harming themselves or others, or is experiencing some type of psychological or mental health emergency:

• If the person might represent an immediate danger to themselves or others, contact MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone).
• For students, contact MIT Medical Mental Health and Counseling: 617-253-2916 (days), 617-253-4481 (nights and weekends).
• For employees, call the MyLife Services hotline 844-405-LIFE or 844-405-5433.
• If you believe that your safety is threatened for any reason, leave the person and wait for MIT Police to arrive.
• Do not allow this person to be alone or have access to potential weapons, if it is safe for you to do so.
• If the person has sustained injury, provide medical care, if it is safe for you to do so.