Medical Emergencies

A medical emergency is an event that you reasonably believe threatens your or someone else in such a manner that immediate medical care is needed to prevent death or serious harm to health.

When to Call “9-1-1”

Examples of medical emergencies include:

• someone faints/passes out or is found unresponsive;
• breathing problems (difficulty breathing or no breathing);
• persistent chest pain or pressure;
• a rapid heartbeat at rest, especially with shortness-of-breath or feeling faint;
• no signs of circulation;
• difficulty speaking, numbness, or weakness of any part of the body;
• sudden dizziness, weakness or mental changes (e.g., confusion, very odd behavior, difficulty walking);
• sudden blindness or vision changes;
• severe bleeding from body cavity or wound that doesn’t stop with pressure;
• vomiting blood or passing blood;
• convulsions, severe headache, or slurred speech;
• sudden intense pain ;
• choking;
• severe burns;
• allergic reaction, especially if there is difficulty breathing;
• extremely hot or cold skin;
• drowning;
• suspected poisoning or drug overdose;
• injuries to head, neck, or back;
• someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves or someone else;
• if the casualty is involved with any of the following:
  • fire or explosion;
  • poisonous gas;
  • downed electrical wires;
  • swift-moving water;
  • motor vehicle collisions; or,
  • can't be moved easily.

What to Do During a “9-1-1” Call

• Stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.
• Answer all of the “9-1-1” dispatcher’s questions.
• Follow any instructions provided by the dispatcher, including:
  • care to provide for the person in distress; or,
  • directions for making your location easier for responding Paramedics to locate.
• If you or the person in distress has Advanced Directives or other legal documents with care instructions, have these available when help arrives.
• If you call “9-1-1” by mistake, do not hang up before the call is answered and you have spoken with a call-taker. Otherwise emergency crews may be sent to investigate your situation.