Ever wondered when should I call 911? When facing a medical emergency, every second counts. Thankfully, wherever you are, Emergency Medical Services can be reached by dialing 911. That said, whether or not to call an ambulance can be an incredibly difficult decision, and all too often the tell-tale signs of tragedy are ignored until it’s too late. Use the following guidelines to ensure you make the proper decision when facing a potentially life threatening medical situation.
Important times to call 911 for an ambulance:
A Heart Attack – The most common sign is a sharp pain in the chest. It is typically described as crushing or like indigestion that lasts for several minutes, and it often spreads to the left arm or jaw.
Difficulty Breathing or Choking – Particularly if the mouth/lips have turned blue or the person is choking and unable to speak.
Abdominal pain – When it is severe and otherwise undiagnosed.
Loss of Consciousness – If a person doesn’t wake up when shaken.
Bleeding – If the bleeding is severe and does not stop after at least 10 minutes of continuous pressure.
Severe Back Pain – If there is a sudden onset of an undiagnosed pain or after suffering a significant fall.
Burns – When the burn is larger than the size of a hand, or if it causes significant pain that is not well managed by over-the-counter pain medications.
Convulsions or seizing - If the person has no documented history of convulsions (such as epilepsy or brain injury).
Drowning – If recovery does not quickly follow a near-drowning event.
Stroke – Especially if the person experiences numbness, loss of function in the hand, arm or leg, slurred speech, facial droop or a severe abrupt headache.
Headache (Severe) – Any abnormally severe pain, with or without loss of function of arm or leg, and whether or not the individual suffered any specific trauma to the head or neck.
A Car Accident – If you have reason to suspect a person had been injured.
An Industrial Accident – Where a person is injured or trapped.
Suicide Attempts –After any attempt, regardless of method.
Mobility Issues – After a fall or injury, or if otherwise undiagnosed.
A Drug Overdose or Poisoning – If you have any reason to suspect a person has overdosed or has been poisoned.
Diabetic Shock – If a known diabetic seems excessively groggy or is otherwise not behaving normally.
A Severe Allergic Reaction – Especially if it involves difficulty breathing or a loss of consciousness.
Electrical shock – After any reasonably significant shock or electrocution.
Trauma (injury) – If it is severe, especially to the head, neck, chest or abdomen – for example, if the person was stabbed, shot or impaled, or hit by or ran into an object.
Infection –If the infection is not healing with treatment, or is spreading rapidly.
Severe Temperature gain/loss - When below 95 or above 101 degrees F. Particularly if the person is collapsed or has an altered conscious state.
At the end of the day, if you are unsure about the severity of a situation, you can, and should call 911 to speak with a trained medical professional. They will be able help you determine the best course of action, and they will know whether or not the situation warrants an ambulance pickup. You never know- when seconds matter, one quick call may just be the most important decision of your life.
