When to call 9-1-1
CALL EMS IN EMERGENCIES ONLY
When you think someone is badly hurt or suddenly sick and in danger, call EMS immediately. Call EMS when you think someone's life is threatened: When someone faints or collapses, has persistent chest pain or difficulty breathing or is badly injured. If you are not sure if it is an emergency, do call EMS.
DON'T CALL EMS FOR NON-EMERGENCIES
Going to doctors appointments, getting scratch or filling of a prescription do not require professional EMS assistance. But calling EMS in non-emergencies does not tie up the 9-1-1 system and make it harder for EMS personnel to do their job responding to serious emergencies.
Again, if you're not sure if it's an emergency, do call EMS.
KNOW YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS & HOW TO CONTACT THEM.
WHEN TO CALL
When should you call EMS instead of driving to the Emergency Room?
1. Is the victim's condition life-threatening
2. Could the victim's condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?
3. Could moving the victim cause further injury?
4. Does the victim need the skills or equipment of paramedics or EMT's?
5. Would distance or traffic conditions cause a delay in getting the victim the hospital?
If the answer to any of these questions in "yes" or if you are unsure, it is best to call EMS. This is true even though you can sometimes get to the hospital faster by driving than by calling EMS. Paramedics & EMT's communicate with physicians in the emergency room by phone or radio. They are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital. This prevents any delay that could occur if the patient is driven to the emergency room.. The squad crew can also alert the emergency room of the patient's condition in advance.
I you live in a community with a single emergency number, calling for help is easy. Just dial 9-1-1. If your community does not have 9-1-1, keep the numbers of the fire department, police department, and EMS near a phone. When you call for help, speak calmly and clearly. Give your name, the address, phone number, location of the victim, and nature of the problem. Don't hang up until the emergency operator tells you to. They may need additional information or need to give you instructions.