What to Do in a Medical Emergency at Home in Mauritius

When a medical emergency happens at home, the first few minutes define the outcome. Knowing what to do before the doctor arrives can save a life. Knowing what not to do can prevent further harm. And knowing who to call can get professional help to your door faster than you think.

This guide covers the most common medical emergencies that families in Mauritius face at home, with clear step-by-step instructions for each one. Keep it saved on your phone. You may never need it, but if you do, you will be glad you have it.

The First 60 Seconds: What to Do in Any Emergency

Regardless of the type of emergency, the first steps are always the same.

Step 1: Stay calm. Panic makes everything harder. Take one deep breath before you act. You will think more clearly and communicate better.

Step 2: Check if the person is conscious and breathing. Speak to them loudly. Tap their shoulder. Watch their chest for movement. If they are conscious and breathing, the situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening.

Step 3: Call for help. Call 86121 for a doctor to be dispatched to your home. If the situation is clearly life-threatening (cardiac arrest, not breathing, massive bleeding), call SAMU (114) for an ambulance simultaneously. Medecin a Domicile also operates its own ambulance service through the 86121 hotline.

Step 4: Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger (fire, drowning, toxic environment). Moving someone with a spinal injury, fracture, or cardiac event can cause further harm.

Step 5: Stay with the person until help arrives. Monitor their breathing and consciousness. Note the time symptoms started, as this information is critical for the doctor.

Heart Attack: Signs and What to Do

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing heart muscle to die. Every minute without treatment increases the damage.

Signs to recognise

• Chest pain or pressure, often described as a heavy weight, squeezing, or tightness in the centre of the chest
• Pain spreading to the left arm, jaw, neck, back, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat, nausea, or dizziness
• Feeling of impending doom or extreme anxiety

Important: women may experience less obvious symptoms such as unusual fatigue, nausea, jaw pain, or upper back pain without classic chest pressure.

What to do

Call 86121 and SAMU (114) immediately. Have the person sit down in a comfortable position, ideally leaning slightly forward or propped up with pillows. Do not let them lie flat. If they have prescribed nitroglycerin, help them take it. Give them one aspirin (300mg) to chew slowly, unless they are allergic to aspirin. Loosen any tight clothing around the chest and neck. Stay with them and keep them calm. If they become unconscious and stop breathing, begin CPR if you are trained.

Note the exact time the chest pain started. This information is critical for hospital treatment decisions.

Stroke: Signs and What to Do

A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Brain cells begin to die within minutes. Rapid treatment can prevent permanent brain damage or death.

Use the FAST test

• F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S – Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• T – Time: If any of these are present, call for help immediately. Note the time symptoms started.

What to do

Call 86121 and SAMU (114) immediately. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink, as their swallowing may be impaired. If they are conscious, lay them on their side with their head slightly elevated. If they are unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side). Do not give aspirin for a suspected stroke, as it could worsen the situation if the stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain.

Seizure: What to Do and What NOT to Do

Seizures can occur due to epilepsy, high fever (febrile seizures in children), head injury, low blood sugar, or other causes. While they look frightening, most seizures stop on their own within 1 to 3 minutes.

What to do

Stay calm. Clear the area around the person of hard or sharp objects that could cause injury. Place something soft under their head if possible. Turn them on their side to prevent choking. Time the seizure from start to finish. Stay with them until the seizure ends and they are fully conscious.

What NOT to do

Do not restrain the person or try to hold them down. Do not put anything in their mouth. The old advice about putting a spoon or wallet in someone’s mouth is wrong and dangerous. They cannot swallow their tongue. Do not give them water or food until they are fully alert.

Call a doctor if:

• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
• The person does not regain consciousness after the seizure
• A second seizure follows quickly
• The person is injured during the seizure
• This is their first seizure
• The person is pregnant, has diabetes, or has a heart condition
• The seizure occurs in a child with a high fever

Febrile seizures in children are the most common type seen at home. While terrifying for parents, they are usually not dangerous. A home doctor can assess the child, check for the cause of the fever, and provide treatment. Read our guide on managing fever in children.

Choking: Adult and Child

Adult or child over 1 year

If the person can cough forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing. Do not interfere. A strong cough is the most effective way to clear the airway.

If the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe: stand behind them. Place your fist just above their navel. Grab your fist with your other hand. Perform quick, upward thrusts (the Heimlich manoeuvre) until the object is expelled or the person becomes unconscious. If they become unconscious, lower them to the ground and call 86121 and 114 immediately. Begin CPR if trained.

Infant under 1 year

Place the baby face-down on your forearm, supporting the head and jaw. Deliver 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. If the object does not come out, turn the baby face-up and deliver 5 chest thrusts using two fingers on the centre of the breastbone, just below the nipple line. Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is cleared or help arrives. Do not use the Heimlich manoeuvre on infants.

Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop within minutes of exposure to a trigger, commonly insect stings, certain foods (shellfish, nuts, eggs), or medications.

Signs to recognise

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness or fainting
• Widespread hives or skin flushing
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramping
• A sense of impending doom

What to do

Call 86121 immediately. If the person has a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen), help them use it immediately, injecting into the outer thigh. Lay them flat with legs elevated, unless they are having difficulty breathing, in which case let them sit upright. If they become unconscious and stop breathing, begin CPR. Do not give them anything to eat or drink. Monitor them continuously until the doctor arrives, as anaphylaxis can return after initial improvement.

Severe Bleeding

Heavy bleeding from a deep cut, accident, or injury needs immediate action to prevent dangerous blood loss.

What to do

Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, towel, or piece of clothing. Do not remove the cloth even if blood soaks through. Add more layers on top and maintain pressure. If possible, elevate the injured limb above the level of the heart. Call 86121. Keep the person still and calm. If they show signs of shock (pale skin, rapid breathing, confusion, cold sweat), lay them flat with legs elevated and cover them with a blanket to keep them warm.

Do not apply a tourniquet unless you are trained and the bleeding is life-threatening and uncontrollable with direct pressure.

Diabetic Emergency: Low Blood Sugar

Severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) in a person with diabetes can cause confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. It is one of the most common medical emergencies at home for diabetic patients.

Signs to recognise

• Shaking, trembling, or sweating
• Confusion, irritability, or unusual behaviour
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness or weakness
• Pale skin
• Loss of consciousness in severe cases

What to do

If the person is conscious and able to swallow, give them something sugary immediately: fruit juice, regular (non-diet) soda, sugar dissolved in water, or glucose tablets. Do not give diet drinks. If they improve within 10 to 15 minutes, follow up with a small snack containing carbohydrates. If they do not improve, or if they are unconscious, do not put anything in their mouth. Place them in the recovery position and call 86121 immediately. A home doctor can administer glucose intravenously to reverse the episode quickly. Learn about home doctor visits for patients with chronic conditions.

Difficulty Breathing (Asthma Attack or Respiratory Distress)

Sudden breathing difficulty at home can be caused by asthma, allergic reactions, respiratory infections, heart failure, or anxiety. The response depends on the cause, but the immediate steps are similar.

What to do

Help the person sit upright. Do not lay them flat, as this makes breathing harder. If they have a prescribed inhaler (salbutamol/Ventolin), help them use it: 4 puffs through a spacer if available, then wait 4 minutes. If no improvement, give another 4 puffs. Open windows to improve airflow. Loosen tight clothing. Stay calm and speak reassuringly, as anxiety worsens breathlessness. Call 86121 if the inhaler does not provide relief within 10 minutes, if breathing is getting worse, if lips or fingertips turn blue, or if the person cannot speak in full sentences.

A home doctor can administer nebuliser therapy, IV medication, and oxygen support at your bedside. Learn about the treatments available at home.

Burns

For minor burns (small area, red skin, no blisters)

Cool the burn immediately under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Do not use ice, butter, toothpaste, or home remedies. Cover with a clean, non-adhesive dressing. Take paracetamol for pain.

For serious burns (large area, blisters, white or charred skin)

Call 86121 immediately. Cool the burn with running water but do not immerse large burns in cold water, as this can cause hypothermia. Do not remove clothing stuck to the burn. Cover loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy material. Keep the person warm and watch for signs of shock.

Call a doctor for any burn that:

• Is larger than the patient’s palm
• Is on the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals
• Has blisters
• Is white, brown, or black in colour
• Is caused by chemicals or electricity
• Affects a child or elderly person

Your Emergency Contact List for Mauritius

Save these numbers in your phone now, before you need them.

• Medecin a Domicile (24/7 home doctor + ambulance): 86121
• SAMU (national emergency ambulance): 114
• Police: 999 / 148
• Fire service: 115
• WhatsApp Medecin a Domicile: +230 58 01 7777

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a home doctor handle a medical emergency?

A home doctor can manage many urgent situations including severe dehydration, high fever, breathing difficulty, seizures, diabetic emergencies, and pain crises. For life-threatening emergencies requiring surgery, imaging, or intensive care (heart attack, stroke, major trauma), hospital care is essential. A home doctor can stabilise the patient and arrange emergency transport. Read our guide on home doctor vs hospital.

Should I call 86121 or SAMU (114) in an emergency?

For life-threatening situations (cardiac arrest, stroke, severe trauma), call both. SAMU provides national ambulance services. Medecin a Domicile provides home doctors and also operates ambulances. In urgent but stable situations (high fever, dehydration, seizure that has stopped), calling 86121 for a home doctor is usually sufficient.

How quickly can a doctor from Medecin a Domicile arrive?

Response time depends on location and demand. The GPS dispatch system assigns the nearest available doctor. Urgent cases are always prioritised. Call 86121 for an estimated arrival time.

What should I have in my home first aid kit?

A basic home first aid kit should include a digital thermometer, adhesive plasters and bandages, sterile gauze and medical tape, antiseptic wipes, paracetamol (adult and children’s formulations), oral rehydration salts, a cold pack, scissors, and gloves. If anyone in the household has allergies, an EpiPen should be accessible.

What if I am not sure whether it is an emergency?

Call 86121. The trained coordination team can assess the urgency over the phone and advise whether you need a home doctor, an ambulance, or a hospital visit. It is always better to call and be reassured than to wait and risk a worsening situation.

In any medical emergency, the first call you make determines everything that follows. Save 86121 in your phone now. Medecin a Domicile provides 24/7 home doctor visits and ambulance services across Mauritius. When seconds matter, help is one call away.