Calling for an ambulance during a medical crisis can lead to confusion and delayed communication. Since seconds can influence the outcome, having a clear plan of action is helpful. This guide provides steps to ensure efficiency when contacting emergency medical services.
Knowing When to Call
Emergency medical services (EMS) respond to time-sensitive, life-threatening conditions requiring immediate advanced care. A true medical emergency involves a sudden threat to life or limb that requires the specialized skills and equipment of paramedics, often including advanced life support.
Examples that necessitate an immediate ambulance call include sudden, severe chest pain lasting longer than a few minutes, which may indicate a heart attack, or symptoms of a stroke, such as facial drooping, slurred speech, or sudden inability to move an arm. Major trauma, such as from a serious fall or vehicle accident, or uncontrolled, heavy bleeding that cannot be staunched with direct pressure demands an immediate emergency response. Sudden difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or an altered mental state, like confusion, are also clear indicators.
For conditions that are not immediately life-threatening, such as minor cuts, sprains, or common flu symptoms, urgent care centers or a scheduled visit with a general practitioner are more appropriate. Using an ambulance for non-emergency situations ties up resources needed for a true medical crisis. If you are unsure whether a situation qualifies as an emergency, call the emergency number, as the dispatcher can assess the severity and direct the proper resources.
The Critical Information to Provide
The first step is dialing the correct number, such as 911 in the Americas or 999/112 in many international regions. Upon connection, a dispatcher will guide you through the information-gathering process.
The most important information to provide immediately is the exact location of the emergency, including the street address, apartment number, and any specific landmarks. You should also provide the phone number you are calling from so the dispatcher can contact you if the call is disconnected or if first responders have trouble locating the site.
Next, the dispatcher will ask for the nature of the emergency, requiring a concise description of what happened. You will then be asked about the patient’s status, including their approximate age and sex. Details about whether the patient is conscious, breathing, and if there is significant bleeding help the dispatcher determine the severity and the type of response needed.
It is essential to stay on the line and listen carefully to the dispatcher’s questions and instructions. While you are answering questions, the dispatcher may provide life-saving advice, such as instructions for performing hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or controlling bleeding. Do not hang up until the dispatcher explicitly tells you it is acceptable to do so.
Preparing for the Ambulance Arrival
While awaiting the arrival of the ambulance, take several actions to expedite the response and aid the paramedics. Ensure the area is accessible; if you are in a building, unlock the main doors. Consider sending someone outside to meet the crew and direct them to the precise location. If the emergency is happening at night, turning on outside lights helps the crew quickly identify the address.
Secure any household pets, such as dogs, in a separate room to prevent them from interfering with the paramedics’ work or escaping when the doors are opened. Within the home, clear a path from the entrance to the patient, removing any clutter or small furniture that could obstruct the path of the stretcher or equipment.
Gathering relevant medical documents is another helpful step. This includes a current list of all medications the patient is taking, including dosages, any known allergies, and contact information for their primary care physician. If the patient has an advance directive, such as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order or a living will, have this accessible.