An emergency is a serious medical condition or symptom caused by an injury or illness that arises suddenly and requires immediate care to avoid disability or death.  If you believe that without immediate care and treatment your life or health is in danger, call 911 and request an ambulance at once.  Remember to always err on the side of safety. 

 

If you are unsure if your condition is life-threatening, don’t take chances.  Good reasons to request an ambulance include, signs of heart attack that last two minutes or longer.  Pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest, tightness, burning or aching under the breastbone, chest pain with lightheadedness are all possible signs or symptoms of heart attack.  Signs of stroke, sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.  Other signs are sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, trouble seeing with one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of coordination; and sudden, severe headache with no known cause.  These following conditions are also reason enough to call and request an ambulance, loss of consciousness, severe shortness of breath, not breathing or no pulse.  Seizures that last more than 15 minutes or any unexpected seizure.  Severe cuts where the edges won’t come together or bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.  Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.  Poisoning, if possible, after you call for an ambulance, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, and ask for immediate home treatment, such preliminary home treatment could save a life.  Severe burns of all types, including chemical and electrical burns.  A serious animal bite which has broken the skin.  Severe or worsening reaction to an insect bite or sting, or to a medication.  A major injury of any type.  Unexplained stupor, drowsiness, or disorientation.  Coughing up or vomiting blood, or persistent vomiting.  Signs of shock, including pale, cold clammy skin, and a weak and rapid pulse.  Suicidal or homicidal feelings.

 

You should consider potential obstacles if you think it is better to drive yourself to the hospital.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.  If you answer yes to any of these questions or you are unsure, call 911.  Is the condition life-threatening?  Could the condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?  Could moving require the skills or equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians?  Would the distance or traffic conditions cause a delay in getting you to the hospital?  EMS personnel would rather you call and not need us than to not call and the situation become worse.

 

Preparation is essential to ensure your safety.  Some things you can do to be prepared for an emergency is to keep a well stocked first-aid kit at home, work, and in your car.  Learn basic first-aid skills and become certified in CPR.  Plan what you would do if your child needs emergency care.  Keep emergency phone numbers by the phone.  Carry a list of all your and your child’s medications and dosages with you.  Also, have a list of allergies, particularly any drug allergies.

 

Again, the bottom line, if in doubt call 911 and request the nearest ambulance service, don’t take chances.