Here is summary of the the recent training on emergency medical protocols combined with a demonstration regarding the new emergency triage platform features. This online session was conducted by the Veer team for a close group of family and friends to raise the public awareness on the importance of emergency prepardness and first aid training. Towards the end of the online session, a demonstration of the Veer app was also done.

Introduction and Emergency Awareness: Dr. Yashas H introduced the importance of understanding urgent care, specifically regarding the “golden hour” concept where time-sensitive intervention can determine outcomes for medical emergencies like transplants or cardiac events. Participants were encouraged to recognize emergency situations versus urgent care, noting that while classic features exist for conditions like cardiac arrest, stroke, and choking, the required response varies significantly for each scenario.

Scene Safety Protocol: Before providing assistance, it is critical to evaluate scene safety to avoid becoming a secondary accident victim. Dr. Yashas H emphasized assessing the surroundings—such as traffic or crowded areas—to ensure the rescuer is not at risk while attempting to help someone who is unresponsive or injured.
Checking Responsiveness and Vital Signs: When encountering a person who has fallen or is unresponsive, one must first check for responsiveness by talking to the individual, tapping their shoulders, and using painful stimuli, such as applying pressure to bony areas with knuckles. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing—or exhibits only agonal gasping, which indicates a dying stage rather than normal breathing—the rescuer should shout for help, utilize local emergency helplines, and, where available, access automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Distinguishing Cardiac Arrest from Heart Attack: Dr. Yashas H explained that a heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood vessels are blocked, causing damage over time, while cardiac arrest involves the heart completely stopping. A heart attack often presents with severe chest pain, sweating, and psychological feelings of doom, whereas cardiac arrest results in immediate collapse, unresponsiveness, and cessation of breathing.
Heart Attack Management: For heart attacks, the patient should be placed in an upright, head-elevated position to ease breathing and clothing should be loosened. The golden hour for heart attacks is approximately four and a half hours, during which the patient must reach a facility capable of performing angioplasty to prevent significant cardiac cell death.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Technique: CPR must be performed on a flat surface with the chest exposed. The rescuer should locate the second intercostal space, lock their hands, and perform compressions at a depth of 5 to 6 centimeters (2 inches). The rate should be 100 to 120 compressions per minute, with 100% chest recoil allowed between pushes. If two people are present, they should alternate to avoid fatigue, ensuring breaks do not exceed 10 seconds.
Airway Management and Breathing Assistance: If trained and equipped, rescuers can provide assisted breathing at a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths, either using a mask or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by closing the nose and covering the mouth. If a patient is unconscious but breathing, they should be placed in the recovery position with their head elevated to prevent aspiration of vomit or secretions.
Responding to Choking: Choking occurs when the airway is obstructed by a foreign object. For mild obstruction where the person can still cough, the rescuer should watch and wait for the natural cough reflex to clear the object. In severe cases with airway blockage and no sound, the rescuer must call for help and perform five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts, ensuring the patient’s airway remains clear. Infants require a modified technique using chest thrusts and abdominal massage, keeping the head lower than the body.
Stroke Identification and Management: Stroke symptoms can be identified using the “BE FAST” mnemonic, focusing on balance, eyes, face (smile and frown test), arms (power check), and speech. Because the golden hour for stroke is 6 hours, it is vital to transport the patient immediately to a neurocenter for computed tomography scans and potential thrombolysis. During transport, the patient should remain in an elevated position, and food or water should be avoided to prevent aspiration.
Managing Severe Bleeding: To manage severe bleeding, rescuers should protect themselves by wearing gloves or using plastic barriers. Applying direct, sustained pressure to the wound for 10 minutes is the primary response for superficial bleeding, and gauze should not be removed if soaked, as this disrupts clot formation. For arterial bleeding where pressure is insufficient, a tourniquet may be necessary, and elevating the limb may provide minor relief.
Recognizing and Treating Shock: Shock, which can be hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, allergic, or vasovagal, manifests as pale skin, cold extremities, feeble pulse, and confusion. Treatment involves calling for help, keeping the patient warm, positioning them correctly, and avoiding oral intake while they are drowsy.
Hypoglycemia and Diabetes Management: Hypoglycemia, identified by sweating, shivering, tremors, and confusion, is treated by administering glucose, preferably as a paste under the tongue or dribbled into the mouth while the patient is upright. Persistent symptoms after 5 to 10 minutes require emergency hospital care for intravenous dextrose. Individuals with diabetes should maintain a blood pressure apparatus and glucometer at home, as high blood pressure can also be an early sign of medical emergencies.
Fall-Related Injuries: When assisting a person who has fallen, it is essential to first ensure scene safety and avoid moving the patient unnecessarily to prevent exacerbating potential spinal injuries. Rescuers should assess for responsiveness, breathing, and specific signs like clear fluid leaking from the nose or ears, which indicates skull base fractures. Spinal immobilization should be left to emergency services with proper apparatus.
Fracture Stabilization: If a limb fracture is suspected, the joint should be stabilized using a splint—such as a piece of wood or cardboard—to prevent movement and further damage. Proper orthopedic correction is essential within 6 hours to prevent avascular necrosis, where bone tissue dies due to disrupted blood supply.
Burn Management: For burns, severity depends on the percentage of body surface area affected, with over 30% indicating a high risk of hypovolemic shock and kidney failure. Immediate care involves running cool water—not ice water—over the area, removing the source of the burn, and avoiding home remedies like butter or toothpaste. Airway protection is critical, especially if the patient inhaled soot in a confined space.
Electrocution Response: Following an electrocution, the rescuer must prioritize disconnecting the power source or using non-conductive materials to move the patient. In high-voltage cases, cardiac arrest can occur within seconds, making immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation critical to potentially revive the patient.
Animal and Snake Bites: Animal bites, including those from dogs, rats, and monkeys, require immediate wound cleaning with soap and water, followed by seeking professional care for rabies prophylaxis and tetanus shots. Snake bites require identifying the snake, if possible via photograph, and keeping the affected limb immobile to slow the spread of toxin, followed by immediate transfer to a hospital with antivenom.
Psychiatric Emergencies: Psychiatric issues like panic attacks often present with chest pain and sweating, mirroring medical emergencies. Rescuers should provide calm, supportive care and guide the patient through breathing exercises, such as box breathing, for 10 to 15 minutes before seeking further medical or psychiatric assistance.
Claustrophobia and Anxiety Management: Dr. Yashas H described how claustrophobia can be triggered by trauma or confined spaces, manifesting as symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain, and heart palpitations. When encountering such patients, the suggested response is to use bag and box ventilation, move them to an open, well-lit environment for 5 to 10 minutes, and seek emergency help if they do not normalize. For psychological support, Dr. Yashas H advised using the “Look, Listen, and Link” technique, which involves assessing safety, listening to the patient’s concerns, and facilitating access to helpline therapy services if necessary.
Emergency Preparedness Kits and Procedures: Dr. Yashas H emphasized the importance of carrying travel or home kits that include blood pressure apparatus. During an emergency, the recommended sequence of actions is to check the scene, call for help, contact the emergency helpline, check for breathing, and initiate CPR if there is no response. For bleeding, apply pressure; for bone injuries, use cold water; for psychiatric crises, provide a calm presence and time, as this support can help the individual survive and stabilize.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Identification and Risk: Archana Kumar inquired about the severity of DVT, which Dr. Yashas H identified as a chronic condition that can present as an acute issue. DVT is dangerous because clots can lead to strokes or cardiac blockages. Identification involves observing changes in skin color, such as turning to brick red or cyanotic blue, and checking for a loss of pulse in peripheral limbs. For long-duration travel exceeding 15 to 20 hours, prevention measures include movement, the use of compression stockings, and medical pumps to encourage blood flow in immobilized limbs.
Distinguishing Heart Attack from Cardiac Arrest: In response to a query from Srinivas V regarding how to react to an unconscious person, Dr. Yashas H clarified that checking for breathing is the primary differentiator. Cardiac arrest involves the heart stopping and a cessation of breathing, requiring immediate CPR. Conversely, a heart attack typically presents with symptoms such as crushing pain and sweating while the patient remains responsive and breathing. Patanjali Chimalakonda summarized that while every heart attack patient *could* potentially go into cardiac arrest, they are distinct scenarios; cardiac arrest is an electrical problem requiring immediate intervention.
Need for Guided Medical Assistance: Partha Sarathi proposed the idea of having a medically qualified person provide real-time guidance via video call during emergencies, noting that non-medical individuals may struggle to recall procedures during high-stress situations. Patanjali Chimalakonda agreed, noting this need for expert guidance is a core motivation for the development of the Veer app.
Veer App Functionality and Demonstration: Patanjali Chimalakonda provided an overview and demonstration of the Veer app, an emergency triage platform that connects users to certified professionals via video call. The platform tracks the nearest ambulance, coordinates with hospitals for patient intake, and notifies emergency contacts. Access is 24/7 with an OTP-based login, and the service aims to overcome the limitations of standard platforms that do not offer active emergency management.
Hypoglycemia Scenario Simulation: During a live demonstration, Dr. Yashas H guided Patanjali Chimalakonda through a simulated emergency involving a patient experiencing hypoglycemia after an insulin injection. The treatment plan involved checking glucose levels (measured at 60), applying a glucose paste under the tongue, and administering a glucose solution while keeping the patient in an upright position. The patient’s condition showed improvement within 10 minutes, demonstrating the efficacy of guided home intervention.
Veer App Subscription Plans and Features: Patanjali Chimalakonda outlined the app’s features, including unlimited general practitioner consultations, emergency triage, ambulance dispatch, and hospital coordination. Subscription options include 999 INR per year for an individual/couple, 1499 INR per year for a family of four, and 1999 INR per year for an extended family. A dedicated pregnancy support plan is also available for 699 INR per month.
Medical Protocols and Triage Decision Making: Regarding the medical team, Patanjali Chimalakonda confirmed that the platform employs certified doctors trained in specific, evidence-based medical protocols. These protocols are designed to help users determine the necessary level of care—whether a situation can be managed at home, requires a specialist visit, or demands an emergency hospital trip—thereby avoiding both unnecessary panic-induced ER visits and the neglect of genuine medical emergencies.
Scope of Service and Incident Evaluation: Srinivas V discussed a past experience involving an elderly relative’s fall and subsequent medical confusion. Patanjali Chimalakonda explained that the app helps evaluate such incidents using scientific protocols to determine if an ER visit is necessary, potentially saving users from unnecessary hospital expenses. The service covers both emergency and non-emergency consultations, such as cough or fever, with no additional charges for video calls under the subscription plans.
Meeting Closing and Resource Distribution: Patanjali Chimalakonda committed to sharing the PPT, the meeting recording, and the app link via the WhatsApp group. Participants were invited to provide their contact information to receive these materials directly.