by Kaitlyn Edwards

Created on: August 03, 2007

Ok, so maybe this isn't when to dial 911 but when to diall 999 (I'm in the UK).

999 is an emergency number, and should be ued in such instances only. It will connect you to an operator who will be able to connect you to one of the emergency services:
-ambulance
-fire
-police
-mountain rescue
-coast guards

As this is the first aid section of the website, I will talk about when to dial 999 for an ambulance. There are several instances. Generally, however, 999 should be dialed when a condition cannot be safely managed, immediately, by yourself, for a short period of time. Examples of this would include cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating). The casualty needs to be seen by people who are trained to deal with this on a regular basis, and who have the correct equipment. Unconsciousness would also be an instance in which you would phone 999, as you would not be able to successfully manage the person's airway in a vehicle, and treat them should something happen. A suspected spinal injury, fractures which aren't easy to temporarily manage and transport (arm fractures would not necessarily mean 999, leg fractures may be more 999), chest pain, the person being unable to breathe (for example, choking-proper choking not something going down the wrong way, asthma where the person either doesn't have their inhaler or the inhaler is not relieving the symptoms), severe bleeds, seizures (particularly if you don't know the person, they have never had a seizure before or it is prolonged), hypothermia, suspected stroke.

These are just a few situations in which you may need to dial 999. If you feel you (if you are the casualty) or the casualty is able to safely get to hospital by other means you should, but if you feel this is not possible, dial 999.

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