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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden leg swelling with pain, or sudden shortness of breath and chest pain — possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Leg: Swelling, pain, warmth, or redness in one calf or thigh — often after sitting still for hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lungs: Sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain worse with breathing, fast heartbeat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Other: Coughing blood, fainting, or feeling suddenly very unwell.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden breathlessness after leg pain is an emergency — call 112 immediately.
Scene hazards: Stairs if breathless, Driving while symptomatic
Do not massage a swollen leg — a clot could break loose.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they are breathless or have chest pain — call 112 now.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help them sit upright — this is easier for breathing than lying flat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask when symptoms started and about recent travel, surgery, or immobility.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep them calm and still. Do not let them walk far or climb stairs if breathless.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Loosen tight clothing around chest and neck.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they faint or stop breathing — lay them flat and start CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Sudden shortness of breath and possible blood clot" or "painful swollen leg after long travel."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Mention recent surgery, pregnancy, cancer, or long journey.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — For leg-only symptoms without breathlessness, urgent same-day medical care is still needed — call 112 if unsure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pulmonary embolism (sudden breathlessness + chest pain) is life-threatening — emergency care now.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Suspected DVT also needs prompt hospital evaluation even without breathlessness.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT massage, squeeze, or rub a swollen painful leg — this could dislodge a clot.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT ignore sudden breathlessness after leg symptoms.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume leg swelling is just a sprain without medical check.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Massaging a swollen leg will help blood flow
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Massaging a leg with a clot can break the clot loose and send it to the lungs.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Well-meaning massage can cause a fatal pulmonary embolism.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A blood clot can form in a deep leg vein (DVT). If part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism (PE) — which can be fatal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Risk increases after long sitting (travel), surgery, pregnancy, cancer, and some medicines.