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Protocols for When to Call EMS

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) save countless lives every year by sending ambulances with trained paramedics to attend to medical emergencies. These personnel are very busy and many EMS services will bill patients for frivolous or unnecessary calls. Being aware of some basic protocols for when to call EMS will ensure that their time isn't wasted and that nobody's health is put at undue risk.

  1. Symptoms Requiring an EMS Call

    • If you, or someone in your location is suffering from a head injury, a loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high fever, uncontrollable vomiting or disorientation, call EMS immediately. These symptoms can all be indicative of potentially fatal medical problems. EMS should also be called in the case of abdominal pressure or pain that doesn't go away, if the victim has seizures or slurred speech or if you suspect that the victim has injured their back or neck.

    Situations Requiring an EMS Call

    • There are a number of situations in which EMS should be called, even if there is no sign of injuries. These include any fire or explosion, rising or swiftly moving water such as in a flood, a leak of poisonous gas, downed electrical wires or a vehicle collision.

    Alcohol Poisoning and Overdoses

    • Drinking too much can be fatal. Rather than risking letting a friend "sleep it off," call EMS if they have cold or pale skin, are vomiting, have irregular or very slow breathing, are slow to wake up or are in a state of mental confusion. Similarly, if you suspect that someone has taken an overdose of illegal drugs, call EMS quickly and provide as much information as you can.

    Suicide Attempts

    • If someone you know attempts suicide, call EMS immediately. They will need to know the method of the attempted suicide and any other information about the person's condition.

    When Not to Call EMS

    • EMS personnel should not be called in non-emergency situations. They are not there to diagnose conditions, deliver medical supplies or provide non-emergency first-aid. Frivolous calls may result in a bill being issued to the caller. This is a major problem with most 911 services, all of whom are often clogged with non-essential calls that can distract EMS personnel from true emergencies.

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