Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency help for:
Severe trouble breathing or a sudden fall in oxygen level
A tube that is blocked and cannot be cleared
A tube that comes out or moves out of position
Heavy, persistent, or pulsating bleeding
Rapid neck swelling or air leaking extensively under the skin
Blue or grey lips, collapse, or reduced responsiveness
Follow your personal emergency plan while help is coming.
Use suction or emergency equipment only as you have been trained.
Do not force a tube back into a new or difficult stoma.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your tracheostomy team promptly for increasing soreness, redness, swelling, unpleasant-smelling discharge, fever, skin breakdown, repeated tube blockage, new difficulty swallowing, or a change in mucus amount, colour, or thickness.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Tracheostomy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.