When a medical emergency strikes, it can be difficult to decide whether you should call an ambulance or drive to the hospital. It's understandable to want to avoid using emergency resources if you don't need to and making a big deal out of nothing. If you're worried about using an ambulance when it's not necessary, here are some things to think about. 

Questions to Ask Yourself

The first thing you should do is ask yourself some important questions pertaining to the victim's injury. Is the injury life-threatening? Some people have a skewed perception of what life-threatening really means. Breaking a bone is a serious and painful injury, but you wouldn't be racing the clock to get someone with a broken bone to the hospital. If someone is quickly losing blood or having trouble breathing, that is considered life-threatening. Think about if the victim's condition could become worse on the way to the hospital. If you're worried that it could become life-threatening quickly, you should call an ambulance to be safe. Also, ask yourself if you think special medical equipment is needed immediately. If this is the case, you should call an ambulance so the paramedics can arrive quickly with the proper medication. 

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies should be handled by medical professionals as soon as possible. There are some medical emergencies that might not seem life-threatening, but they can be. Here are some medical emergencies that could require an ambulance (such as is provided by Advanced Egress Solutions):

• Chest pain
• Seizures
• Intense suicidal feelings
• Severe burns
• Vomiting blood
• Allergic reaction
• Drug overdose
• Spine injury
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe dizziness

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to call an ambulance as soon as possible. Even if you don't think the injury is life-threatening, sometimes transporting the victim yourself can cause further complications. With spine injuries and severe burns, the transport can be painful and cause further complications. Someone with a spine injury should only be moved by trained medical professionals because movement can cause permanent paralysis.

How to Call an Ambulance

If you need to call an ambulance, call 9-1-1 and follow the dispatcher's instructions. You will need to calmly give your name, the location of the emergency, and the nature of the emergency. If you don't have an exact address, stay calm and look for any identifying landmarks. These can include mile markers on the freeway or buildings. Don't hang up until emergency personnel arrives.

Ambulances are important for emergencies, but it's also important to make sure you don't abuse their services. Follow this guide to decide if an ambulance is necessary.