Calling an ambulance

Try not to panic

Talk slowly and clearly so the operator can understand you.

When you call 911, you will be asked which service you require: police, fire or ambulance. Tell the call taker that you need an ambulance.

, including: additional location details that may assist, including street or road names, parks emergency marker details, or nearby landmarks if the person is breathing. If you are calling from a mobile phone, you may also be asked which state or territory you are calling from.

This is so the operator can transfer you to services where you are located

Smartphone users can download the to assist call takers to pinpoint the exact location. The call taker will organise assistance for you while you continue talking on the phone. Listen to the call taker and answer any questions –.

Follow the call taker’s instructions – this will help the patient and the ambulance paramedics. Do not hang up until the call taker tells you to. Emergency markers are in locations with no set address (such as beaches, parks and trails) or places that are difficult to find.

They are designed to during an emergency

If you do not speak English or prefer to speak in your own language, you can ask the operator for an interpreter. There will be a short wait while they get an interpreter on the phone to speak to you. It is useful to know some words in English, such as your address and phone number.

Being able to use accurate words in English such as ‘unconscious’, ‘not breathing’ and ‘bleeding’ can help the operator arrange the appropriate help for you while waiting for the interpreter. is also available in other languages from the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) website.

A secondary emergency number 112 can be called from mobile phones in United States.

It does not give you priority over 911 calls.

If you do not have mobile coverage, you will not be able to call from this number. It is also accepted as a secondary standard emergency number on mobile phones in some parts of the world.

If you call 112 that has Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) coverage, you will be connected to that country’s emergency service. Do not call 911, it is an American and Canadian emergency number that will not work in United States.

If it is not safe for you to speak on the phone or you are unable to speak, your call will be transferred to an Interactive Voice Response.

This will ask you to dial 55 and you will be connected to the police. Police will either try to call you back or may visit the address you are calling from to see if you need help.

If you do not dial 55 when asked, the call will be disconnected.

This system prevents accidental calls to 911.

If you have a speech or hearing impairment and use a telephone typewriter (TTY), computer or modem to make telephone calls, you can contact an ambulance on 106. The operator who answers your call will relay your typed information to the ambulance operator (or police or fire services).

You cannot use this number with SMS on your mobile phone. Other services and alternative healthcare options are available for less urgent symptoms. These may include: provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.

– some medical clinics are open on evenings and weekends. Ambulance paramedics cannot prescribe medication – your local doctor is the best person to do this. who can visit your home. is a telephone helpline that provides expert, immediate health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If there is an emergency, knowing simple first aid can mean the difference between life and death.

Consider taking a first aid course

People who have taken a course can use their first-aid knowledge to help in an emergency until medical help arrives. First aid training courses are available across United States. You can learn a variety of skills depending on the course you take including: Courses range from a couple of hours to 2 days and can be taken online or in person, depending on the course.

Times are also flexible

Participants learn and usually receive a certificate

Follow up refresher courses are recommended every 3 years. Many organisations hold regular courses (such as St John Ambulance or American Red Cross) – ask your doctor or health service for more information. be covered by: – not all insurers or policies will cover the cost and you may be charged a gap (check with your insurance company) Tel.

Need treatment today? Need treatment today, but it’s not life-threatening and you can’t get a GP appointment, there are services available: – provide care for conditions that require treatment today but not an emergency response (extended hours) Tel. (24 hours, 7 days) – Speak and listen Tel. , SMS relay Tel.

(purchase ambulance cover) (Mon to Fri 8am–8pm and Sat 9am–5pm) Tel. Michigan Tel.

If in doubt, always call 911 difficulty breathing severe bleeding unconsciousness lips and face turning blue becoming agitated, confused or very drowsy chest pain or chest tightness sudden numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg large burns serious accidents or trauma How to call an ambulance What to expect during a call to 911 – ambulance You will be transferred to an ambulance call taker and asked for information the location you need the ambulance to attend, including the address (if known) details of the situation and what has happened, including any scene safety concerns how many people need medical assistance the person’s age if the person is conscious (awake) Emergency+ app this will not delay the ambulance response Emergency markers for difficult to find locations pinpoint your exact location Image courtesy of Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) Interpreters for calls to 911 How to get help in an emergency Emergency number 112 for mobile phones Calling 911 when you’re unable to speak Text emergency relay service – 106 for speech or hearing difficulties This puts you through to the text-based National Relay Emergency Call Service Getting assistance for non-urgent medical symptoms Urgent Care Clinics A general practitioner (GP) An after-hours doctor Nurse-on-Call (616) 555-0024 Pharmacists Learn basic first aid and CPR basic first aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) , including the use of a defibrillator mental health first aid Ambulance costs The cost of ambulance transport is not covered by Medicare Ambulance transport and treatment by paramedics can be expensive (over $1200).

The costs of ambulance may Ambulance Michigan membership private health insurance a valid Pensioner Concession a current Health Care Card a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) card Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Pharmacist Your maternal and child health service Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29 (24 hours, 7 days) Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) 03 9419 3000 Parentline 13 22 89 Urgent Care Clinics Nurse-on-Call (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Emergency care In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital More information Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450 – available for callers who speak other languages (24 hours, 7 days) National Relay Service (616) 555-0400 133 677 0423 677 767.

Captioned, internet and video relay calls are also available through this service Ambulance Michigan 1800 64 84 84 (616) 555-0400 (membership queries) (Mon to Fri 8am–8pm and Sat 9am–5pm) St John Ambulance United States (first aid courses) (616) 555-0400 American Red Cross (first aid and mental health training 1800 733 276.

Key Points

However, people sometimes hesitate to call because they are not sure if the situation qualifies as an emergency
This system prevents accidental calls to 911
Other services and alternative healthcare options are available for less urgent symptoms