In an emergency, everyone knows the first thing to do is dial 911. In fact, 911 emergency call dispatchers receive over 600,000 calls everything single day.
The United States has a highly sophisticated emergency services network. Ambulance services can arrive in minutes and rush critical patients to urgent care just as fast. But it’s important to know when to call an ambulance and went to drive to the emergency room on your own.
In this article, we’ll discuss when you should call an ambulance for your particular emergency.
When to Call an Ambulance: When a Person Is Not Responsive
Call an ambulance service if someone is not responding. They may be unconscious, disoriented, or acting very strange. They may complain of difficulty breathing, chest pains, or other issues.
This is especially the case if someone has passed out from blood loss or a serious concussion. Brain damage can deal a heavy blow to someone’s overall quality of life. It’s essential to rush them to the emergency room so a doctor can prevent the consequences of untreated brain trauma.
When They Don’t Have a Pulse or Are Not Breathing
If someone’s vitals suddenly stop, such as their pulse or breathing, call an ambulance right away. There is a good chance you can still save them. Their lack of responsiveness may be something a paramedic can resolve when they arrive on the scene.
When They’re Choking
Choking is no laughing matter. People can easily asphyxiate after choking on a small piece of food. If someone begins to choke, it’s a good idea to call emergency services.
Before they arrive, you should attempt the Heimlich maneuver. Only try this if you know what you are doing. If you have not received training to do the Heimlich maneuver before, you could potentially make the situation worse.
When Moving the Patient Is Risky
In some situations, it is not safe to even turn the patient over, let alone lift them to their feet. This is very common after serious car accidents. Do not attempt to move a severely injured person without professional help.
Call an ambulance, and paramedics will get them to medical services in a safe manner. Until then, monitor their condition and provide whatever you can.
When You Don’t Have Readily Available Transport
In some cases, a person may have serious injuries that are not yet life-threatening. But unfortunately, you may be in a place with no form of transport. An ambulance may be your only means of reaching the hospital.
Get the Right Emergency Services
It’s important to know when to call an ambulance so you can be prepared when emergency strikes. You should call ambulance services if someone has a life-threatening condition or is not responding. You may also need to call an ambulance when you have no transportation or when you would be unable to reach the hospital in time.
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