Vineyard seasonal resident Dr. Mache Seibel, the author of a recent book aimed at providing simple, lifesaving information, believes that one of the most common reasons people die in a medical emergency is they don’t know when to call 911 or what to do, or not to do, after they call.

In the book Save Your Life...What to Do in a Medical Emergency, by Shelly Glazier, MEd and Dr. Seibel, readers are told ways to respond if faced with a medical crisis. The authors call their guide easy to read and easy to follow. This book describes the symptoms of many common life-threatening emergencies, such as heart attacks, strokes and allergic reactions and explains when people should call 911. The authors include helpful anecdotes and an interactive journal for users to make lists of important medical information and emergency contacts.

Ms. Glazier’s inspiration to write the book came after her late husband didn’t want her to call 911 when he suddenly collapsed. Although he was a pediatrician, he was in denial of his critical condition. Despite his protests, she called for help. Later, she learned he had been bleeding internally and could have died if he hadn’t received prompt medical care.

Learning how to recognize and respond to medical emergencies will enable people to act quickly when seconds count, Dr. Seibel said in a statement.

Save Your Life... What to Do in a Medical Emergency is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels.

Shelly Glazier, MEd, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has taught courses on medical emergency awareness at Brandeis University, managed a pediatric practice and worked as a medical administrator for Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Medical Association.

Dr. Mache Seibel served on the Harvard Medical School faculty for almost 20 years and has won multiple national awards for patient education, research, medical writing and music composition. He is currently a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.