Calling 911
You may be afraid, embarrassed, or wary of calling 911 if you are not sure whether the medical condition or complaint is really an emergency.
There are many conditions that require immediate attention, and you should not wait before calling 911. Instead of risking serious consequences or death if you are not sure, it's wise to call for help. The following are conditions that warrant calling 911, although certainly not an exhaustive list:
Severe allergic reaction
Chest pain or heart attack, shortness of breath
Severe asthma attack or respiratory arrest
Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
Confusion, dizziness and fainting, or seizures
Drug overdose, poisoning, or chemical exposure
Heat stroke
Rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, bleeding with weakness, or vomiting blood
Blurred speech, weakness, any signs of stroke
Uncontrolled bleeding, including nosebleeds
Serious burns
Broken bones accompanied by signs of shock or spinal injury
Suicidal behavior, self-harming or violent behavior
Alert!
If you have warning signs of a heart attack, call 911 immediately — there is a very limited amount of time before damage to the muscle of the heart is permanent. Emergency medical services (EMS) are trained to treat cardiac arrest on scene and in transit, and you will be treated faster at the hospital if you arrive by ambulance.
The dispatcher's computer is likely to show your location, unless you are on a cell phone or calling from work or another location where the phones are connected to a switchboard. Try to remain calm and answer all questions quickly and as accurately as you are able. The dispatcher will need all of the following information.
Nature of the emergency
When emergency first occurred
Exact location or address where help is needed
Phone number that you are calling from
Your name and who else is involved
Follow all instructions given by the 911 dispatcher and stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up, or for as long as it is safe to do so. Stay calm, be clear, listen to the dispatcher carefully, and answer as concisely as possible.
Essential
It's the 911 dispatcher's job to know how to ask the right questions. Pay attention and answer all questions as best you can. Don't hang up until you are told to; if you are on a cell phone you may have to give your exact location and other information as your location will not be visible to the dispatcher.
Informing Kids
Teach young children how to phone 911 by using a toy phone or an old, nonworking cell phone. Explain to them that emergencies include car accidents, crimes like when someone is hurting another person or breaking into the house, when someone in the family is suddenly very sick (for example, having a hard time speaking, breathing, or turns blue), if anyone collapses or passes out, or if the house is on fire.
Fact
Most children over five years of age are capable of understanding and learning how and when to call 911. Instruct children to call 911 only for real emergencies. Make sure they understand that the police and firefighters will come when they call 911.
