When Should You Call an Ambulance?

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the victim's condition life-threatening?
• Could the victim's condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?
• Could moving the victim cause further injury?
• Does the victim need the skills or equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians?
• Would distance or traffic conditions cause a delay in getting the victim to the hospital?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES or if you are unsure, it's best to call an ambulance. This is true even though you can sometimes get to the hospital faster by driving than by calling an ambulance. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians communicate with the physician in the emergency department by radio. They are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital. This prevents any delay that could occur if the patient is driven to the emergency department. The ambulance can also alert the emergency department of the patient's condition in advance.

Calling for help is easy. In Callaway County, you can reach an Emergency Medical Services Dispatcher by dialing 911 or (573) 642-8800 from your telephone. When you call for help, speak calmly and clearly. Give your name, the address, phone number, location of victim (such as upstairs in the bedroom), and nature of the problem. Don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to. They may need additional information or directions and may have some instructions for you to follow before the ambulance arrives.