Tips for Reporting Medical Emergencies:

If you think someone is having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately!

• STAY ON THE LINE, DO NOT HANG UP!
• Remain Calm and Speak Clearly.
• Keep your answers short and to the point.

Provide the 9-1-1 Call-taker with the following information:

• The location of the emergency (Street Number, Street Name and City/Town).  Any additional information that will assist emergency responders in locating the emergency.
  • Apartment, Suite or Unit Number.
  • Landmarks:  Business Name, Mile Markers or Nearest Intersecting Streets.
• Your name and the telephone number you are calling from.
• What is the nature of the EMERGENCY?
• The 9-1-1 Call-taker is required to ask you questions about the medical emergency.  Answer all questions asked by the 9-1-1 Call-taker.
  • Answering these question will not delay a response, but will make sure all appropriate agencies are notified.
    • Some medical emergencies may also require Police and/or Fire to be notified.
  • Answering these questions will help them respond to the call and provide appropriate medical treatment for the patient.
  • Answering these questions will assist the 9-1-1 Call-taker in determining if Pre-Arrival Instruction are needed.
    • Pre-Arrival Instructions are steps that you can perform prior to the arrival of medically trained responders.  The 9-1-1 Call-taker is specially trained in providing these instructions to you.
    • These instructions may help you save the patient's life!

Here are a few of the questions the 9-1-1 Call-taker will ask for these medical emergencies:

Cardiac Arrest:

• If you think someone has stopped breathing or does not have a pulse, call 9-1-1 immediately!
• Is the patient breathing and responding to you.
  • If NO, be prepared to start CPR.  The 9-1-1 Call-taker will provide you with the needed instructions for doing CPR.
  • If there is an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) available have it ready.  The 9-1-1 Call-taker will provide you with the need instructions for using the AED.
• Give the age and sex of the patient.
• If you know what caused this problem, tell the 9-1-1 Call-taker.
• When did the problem started or the last time you saw the person alive.
• Does the patient have a  heart problems.
• Does the patient take any medications.
• Was the patient injured (any trauma).
• Answer any other questions asked by the 9-1-1 Call-taker.

Breathing Problems:

• If you think some is having a trouble breathing or not breathing normally, call 9-1-1 immediately!
• Is the patient breathing, able to speak or responding to you.
• What kind of trouble breathing is the patient having (shortness of breath, choking or not breathing).
  • If the patient is choking or not breathing, be prepared to assist.  The 9-1-1 Call-taker will provide you with instruction on what to do.
• Give the age and sex of the patient.
• Do you know what caused this problem, tell the 9-1-1 Call-taker.
• When did the problem start.
• Does the patient have any breathing problems or diseases (COPD, Emphysema, etc).
• Is the patient having any chest pain.
• How does the patient look, do they appear normal or pale and sweaty.
• Does the patient take any medications.
• Does the patient have any allergies?
• Has this ever happened before?
• Was the patient injured (any trauma).
• Answer all other questions ask by the 9-1-1 Call-taker.

Stoke or CerebroVascular Accident (CVA):

• If someone has any stroke symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediate!

  Stroke symptoms include: 

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

• Is the patient breathing, able to speak or responding to you.
• Is the patient having any chest pain.
• Is the patient is having any trouble breathing.
• Is the patient having any weakness on one side or difficulty moving.
• Is the patient having trouble speaking or slurred speech.
• When did the problem start or you noticed a change in the patient.
• Has the patient had any previous Strokes.
• Does the patient take any medications.

Bleeding

• Where is the patient bleeding from.
• Is the patient breathing, able to speak or responding to you.
• Is the bleeding controlled.
  • If not, prepared to do bleeding control.  The 9-1-1 Call-taker will provide you with instruction on what to do.
• How did the bleeding start.
• How much blood has the patient lost.
• Does the patient take any medications (any blood thinners).
• Say what the patient looks like (Skin color, Sweaty) or if the patient is light headed.
• Was the patient injured (any trauma).

INFORMATION:

When to Call 9-1-1

Tips for Parents

Tips for TTY/TDD Callers

Tips for Cellular Callers

Tips for Reporting Fire Emergencies

Tips for Reporting Police Emergencies

Road or Travel Information

If you have additional questions or would like more information about medical emergencies, please feel free to contact the Shelburne Communications Center at (802) 985-8051 or your local Rescue Squad or First Response Agency.

Updated:  09/15/2010