Do
you know what to do if someone is suddenly sick or badly injured?
"In
an emergency, every second counts," says Kelly Hails, MD, Medical
Director of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Dover, NH. "Find
out whether you can call 9-1-1 for emergencies in your area. If
not, know your local emergency numbers and keep them by the telephone
to get the help you need fast." Emergency medical services, or
EMS, is a whole team of emergency professionals who are trained
to handle medical, fire, rescue and other emergency situations.
The
team includes dispatch operators, emergency medical technicians;
and paramedics, fire fighters and police; and emergency nurses
and physicians. In communities that have a 9-1-1 system, simply
dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency will connect you with EMS, the police
and the fire department. In other communities you should keep
the list of emergency numbers by the telephone. Be sure to find
out the correct numbers when you are away from home on business
or vacation.
Even very young children should know how to call for emergency
medical help. Teach your children how to call for help from home
and from a pay telephone. When you should call an ambulance instead
of driving to the emergency department or calling your doctor?
Ask yourself the following questions: Is the victim's condition
life threatening? Could the condition get worse and become life-threatening
on the way to the hospital? Does the victim need the skills or
equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians? Would
distance or traffic conditions cause delay in getting to the hospital?
"If
the answer to any of these questions is yes, or if you are unsure,
call an ambulance," says Dr. Hails. "Paramedics and EMT's communicate
with the emergency physician by radio.
They
are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital,
and to alert the emergency department of the patients's condition
in advance." When you call for help, speak calmly and clearly.
Give your name, the address, phone number, and location of the
patient (such as upstairs in the bedroom). Describe the problem
or situation. Don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to
- they may need to give you instructions.
Learn
to make the right call. It might save someone's life.
