Calling for an Ambulance

When Should I Call?
How to call for an Ambulance?
While You are Waiting
House Numbering

When Should I Call?

"Too much too soon IS better than too little too late" is an adage that aptly applies to calls for emergency help. Critical time is lost when the call for help is delayed due to indecision regarding the seriousness of the situation.

Act promptly, but not hastily. Examine the injured person carefully and quickly from head to toe. Look for breathing obstructions, bleeding, and broken bones. Call for medical help - a NAVAC ambulance - immediately or have someone else do it if you are busy with the victim.

*Unconsciousness... can be the result of injuries, sudden illnesses or even simple fainting. It is in the patient's best interest to have help on the way rather than delay the call hoping for the patient's quick recovery. A NAVAC crew can make an evaluation to determine if additional emergency medical help is needed.

*Breathing Difficulties... if a person has difficulty breathing due to choking, heart attack, illness, etc. a prompt call should be made. If breathing stops, that person can die in 4 to 6' minutes. Start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Learn this method now-before an emergency arises. Take one of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) courses regularly scheduled in this community by NAVAC. Be prepared.

*Serious Bleeding... Spurting, freely flowing, or bleeding that can not be controlled by simple, direct hand pressure will probably require the attention of an emergency crew. Cuts that result in the loss of normal movement also require prompt emergency attention.

*Poisoning... Call for medical help -a NAVAC ambulance - but do not wait to start first aid! If the poison container is nearby, save the container and call the Poison Control Center, 476-4766. It is advisable to have syrup of Ipecac in the home to be used under direction of a physician or the local Poison Control Center.

*Burns... result from heat (thermal) or chemicals. For small thermal burns, if skin is unbroken, place burned area in cool water. Cover large burns with plain. clean cloth. For chemical burns, flush with water. All except minor burns need medical attention to prevent shock or infection.

*Fractures... if an accident victim can not move, has numbness, swelling, pain or deformities, keep him still and call for help. Ambulance crews carry specially designed fracture' equipment that allows for the safe and comfortable transfer of the patient.

*Heart Attack... is the number one killer of adults over the age of 38. Many heart attack victims die needlessly because they do not get help in time.

• Warning signs include:

1. Severe squeezing pains in the chest
2. Pain that radiates from the chest into either the arm, the neck, or jaw
3. Sweating and weakness, nausea or vomiting
4. Pain that extends across the shoulders to the back.

• If the victim is experiencing any of these sensations, take no chances. Call for emergency help at once.

Call NAVAC - Keep the patient calm and comfortable.

*Look for Shock... face drained of color, skin cold and moist. rapid, weak pulse, and fainting. Cover victim with a blanket or clothing, make him lie down, unless doing so will make other injuries worse, and try to calm him. Call NAVAC.

* Stroke Warning Signs... (© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.  All rights reserved.) If you notice one or more of these signs, call 911.  Stroke is a medical emergency.  Get to a hospital right away!  The American Stroke Association wants you to learn the warning signs of stroke:

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

*Handle with Care... A person with suspected neck or back' injuries should not be moved until an ambulance, rescue personnel, or experienced person is on the scene. If you must move the victim because his life may be in danger, use a stretcher or make one with blankets, a board, or a ladder padded with clothing, Usually, it is best to wait for the NAVAC ambulance.

*Additional Areas of Concern... An ambulance may also be required for sudden onset of severe pain, loss of motion, allergic reactions affecting the chest, face and mouth, in mental health cases, and where patients need the comfort and care provided by an ambulance crew.

*Call Your Physician. . . for further advice if you have special concern about calling for an ambulance. .

*Should you transport in your own car? Never in a serious emergency. If the patient becomes worse en route, you become held up in traffic,or you have an accident, you will be doing the patient mote harm than good,

*Don't Delay... Call for help as soon as possible. ,The ambulance crew will depart if not needed.

How to Call for an Ambulance

Dial 9-1-1... ,In an emergency, seconds and minutes can make the difference between LIFE and DEATH. Decisive, quick and proper ACTION BY YOU can save a life.

When you call.... clearly give necessary emergency information;

1. State your Name and the Phone Number from where you are calling. In the. event emergency control needs more information, they can call you back.

2. State the Nature of the Emergency accurately and as clearly as possible. Describe the victim's condition as best you can ..burned, bleeding, broken bones , etc, Also state the number of people injured if more than one.

3. State the location of the Emergency, giving an address, landmark(s), nearby buildings, nearest cross streets, or other Identifying features.

4. Do not hang up!let emergency person end the conversation. They may have questions to ask you or special information to give you about what you can do until help arrives.

While You are Waiting

If you have an emergency and need to call the 911 Emergency Communication Center, they will take all relevant information from you, and may give you some specific instructions. Follow their instructions! Here are a few general suggestions that might help:

1. Turn on your porch light or front door light, even in daylight, this will increase visibility and aid rescuers in finding your house.

2. If it is safe, and an extra pair of hands are available, have someone wait outside to flag down rescuers when they arrive.

3. Secure your pets. This will avoid delays in confronting protective or scared dogs, or prevent indoor pets from inadvertently being allowed outside when rescuers enter your home.

House Numbering

Do you know how high your address numbers must be displayed on your home or mailbox? Many local municipalities have enacted legislation aimed to ensure that house numbers are prominently displayed to aid emergency services, and will help to avoid unnecessary delays in locating your home in an emergency. Here are some suggestions:

1. Check with your town to make sure you are in compliance with all local laws and recommendations.  

2. If you are numbering a curbside mailbox be sure to use at least 3 inch high numbers on a contrasting background. Black numbers on a black mailbox are sometimes almost invisible, but white numbers on that same black mailbox can be easily recognized. 

3. Number both sides of your mailbox. Your mail person might deliver mail from one direction, but emergency personnel may approach your home from either direction. 

4. If you are displaying numbers on your home, and you are close to the street, the 3 inch numbers may suffice. But if your home is a distance away from the street larger numbers must be used to maintain visibility. Curbside numbers are preferable when homes are difficult to see due to trees, shrubs, or are a distance from the road. 

5. If you have painted your house number on the actual curb in front of your home it can easily be missed when its covered with snow, or be very hard to see when its wet from the rain. Can a car park in front of the numbers making it impossible to see? This should not be the only way your home is numbered. 

6. When your new numbers are displayed, remove the old house numbers. The presence of two numbers can confuse and delay help from reaching you in a timely manner.