From our earliest years as elementary school students, we’re taught to “call 911” in the event of an emergency. But what exactly constitutes a 911-worthy emergency? Even as adults, it’s often not entirely clear.
Yet it’s a critically important question. After all, we want to balance our potential need for emergency medical services with the fact that resources are limited, and EMS is often pulled in too many directions. Imagine if on a given day, all EMS vehicles are dispatched to non-emergency situations, and you suddenly experience a cardiac event or are seriously injured in a car accident. The prompt attention required to save your life might not be available to you. Had some of the non-emergency callers known to reach out to their healthcare professionals or the police instead, the paramedics, EMTs, and EMS vehicles could have come to your rescue.
This is exactly why our team at Empress wants to shed light on some examples of when it’s essential to call 911, and when a different course of action makes more sense:
Call 911 for the following:
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Signs of a cardiac emergency/stroke (difficulty breathing, dizziness, chest pain, face drooping, slurred speech, numbness)
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If someone is unconscious/unresponsive
- If you’re having serious medical symptoms (like those mentioned above – and/or severe bleeding, dizziness, confusion, etc.)
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In the event of a bad fall, which has left you or a loved one mostly immobile
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If suffering major burns or your home is on fire
- If an intruder is trying to break into your home
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If a crime has just occurred or you are suspicious that a crime is about to take place
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When you have been in a minor (or major) car accident
Call your doctor/healthcare professional if you or a loved one has any of the following:
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Fever or flu-like symptoms
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Possible concussion
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Rash
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General malaise
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Minor cuts/scrapes, injuries, or falls
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Minor bleeding
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Minor burns
If you think you or your loved one is experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or major medical emergency, please remember that every second counts. Some of these events can be catastrophic if not attended to quickly — and in those cases, do not delay or question following your instinct to call 911.
