911 call rules that can save lives

Photo: depositphotos.com

Most people dial the number 911 only once or twice in life. With information on how to make this call, you can help the operator quickly send you the necessary assistance. Perhaps you will be scared, but by following these rules you will make it easier for the operator and the operator to call, says WikiHow.

Steps

1. Do not panic. Obviously, if you call the emergency service, you have an emergency. The level of adrenaline in your blood is very high. It can affect your speech — you can start talking too fast, too slowly, or even stutter. Stay away from the epicenter of the disaster, unless there are wounded there.

2. Find a phone. It is better to call on a landline phone, except in cases of fire or robbery. This will determine your location. If you have a fire, do not stay in the building - you need to get out as soon as possible.

3. Call 911. Pick up the phone and dial 911. You should know that not always the connection with the operator is established instantly. Do not hang up if you are not answered immediately.

4. Do not panic. This is easier said than done. But panic will not help. Try to plan what you say to the dispatcher (see paragraph below). Remember: Panic is your enemy in this time trial.

5. Know what they will ask you.

You should have answers to such questions:

Where did the emergency happen? It does not always happen where you call. You must understand where you are. Try to follow the road signs, signs and intersections if you are on the road.

The essence of an emergency: do you need the help of law enforcement, doctors and / or firefighters? In some areas, the dispatcher or computer will ask you to press certain numbers to help them understand who you are connected to.

Short, but detailed description: What happened? What do you know about the incident? What is most important? As a rule, it is important to indicate why you need help (for example, because of a gunshot wound), and then the reasons for this (for example, a shootout at school).

Your phone number. The dispatcher will need instructions on how to get to you, so he or she can call you again. You must know your phone number.

Location Give the dispatcher your name and address.

6. Listen to the dispatcher. Follow the instructions given to you. The faster you complete them, the greater the chance of survival for everyone involved in this emergency. Even if it is not lethal (for example, broken bones), it is very important. Implicitly believe the dispatcher. And remember that while he or she continues to ask questions and say what to do, help is already coming to you.

7. Do not hang up until you are told. Anything can happen, and the emergency service needs to know how the situation is. If a house is burning, for example, the dispatcher must find out if there are people in the building and where emergency exits are located.

Фото: Depositphotos

Common questions regarding the operation of the 911 service

What делать, if necessary call в 911, but я not I can speak?
Call, you will be associated with the dispatcher, and he or she will try to determine your location and send someone to check your condition.

Can I find out the consequences of the car crash I replaced the 911 service with?
It’s best to call the local police station later on their phone number.

What situations does the ambulance to children and teenagers come to?
For children aged 3 to 10 years: suffocation, burns, allergies and seizures. To children from 10 to 16 years: allergic reactions and seizures.

What if I'm scared of calling 911?
If you really have trouble, you need help. That is what 911 is for.

If, for example, an elderly person repeatedly (3 and more) types 911 because he or she fell and cannot get up, will there be consequences?
No, if this person indicates his address and condition, the emergency service will understand the situation, as well as the fears and feelings of the elderly person.

What if a person does not speak or uses a special device to communicate?
By law, 911 dispatchers are taught to use TTY and other communication methods, and public emergency points must be equipped with TTY.

What should I do with a person who has a heart attack?
According to the rules, you must dial 911, report that you think the person has a heart attack, and follow the operator’s instructions. He or she will help you to cope with situations before the arrival of an ambulance and instruct you to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation (artificial respiration), if you say you know how to do it. If there is a defibrillator somewhere near, tell the operator - he or she can give instructions on how to use it. Please note: if there is such an opportunity, it is better for one person to talk on the phone, and the second to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

What if I accidentally dialed 911?
Tell the operator that there is no emergency, and that you dialed a number by accident. In most cases, especially if you called from a mobile, this will all end. If you are dialing from a landline phone (your location is automatically determined), some services may ask the officer to check the address to make sure that there is no problem.

Can I call from my mobile?
Yes. Many mobile phones have built-in GPS, where the police can find you and help you.

How does 911 know where I am, if I don’t really know where I am?
If you clearly describe your location, they will recognize it. If your phone has a GPS locator, the dispatcher can track where you are.

What should I do if I am alone / alone with a person who is ill or is injured?
In most cases, the dispatcher will be able to help you over the phone, and emergency vehicles will quickly arrive on call.

How to determine the situation, whether to call 911?
If the situation waits, then do not call 911, but use a non-emergency number. If the situation does not wait, dial 911 immediately.

Фото: Depositphotos

Useful Tips

The most important thing is to know exactly where the emergency occurred. Without this information, the dispatcher will not be able to send rescuers. Most mobile phones have built-in GPS, where you can determine your location and inform the dispatcher about it.

The 911 number is designed for emergencies that are specifically hazardous (both happened and potential) to life, health, or property. Dial 911 only when your situation requires immediate Interventions by the police, ambulance or fire department. In some areas, there is an alternative number - often 311, which can be used to report important situations where urgent intervention of emergency services is not necessary, but the immediate attention of the public security authorities is still needed. Use your local telephone inquiry company or local government to find out if there is such a number in your area, and if so, which one. For example, a fire in a house, a person’s heart attack or robbery are situations for calling 911. The breakthrough of the water supply system, the accident on the telephone line or the power line, as well as the famous “cat stuck in a tree” are not situations to call 911, except when they may lead to more urgent consequences (for example, a family member is at home on a life support device when an electrical power failure occurs; or your house floods from a broken water supply).

Teach kids to call 911. Practice with a fake phone and make sure they understand - you can only dial 911 in an emergency!

If you witness an incident that requires an immediate emergency call, call 911. You should not hope that someone else will do it - if everyone thinks like that, most of the incidents will be left without rescuers. Tell the dispatcher as much details as possible about the incident, but do not put yourself at risk, trying to get closer and learn more.

If you are in a large school or company building, you may need to dial another number (for example, 911 + 9) to dial a 911 number. In some of them, the telephone network will allow dialing an emergency 911 number even without accessing an outside line.

Respect the 911 service, but don't be afraid of it. You will communicate with a living person, trained to help people in an emergency situation.

Be mentally prepared to follow instructions. Most 911 centers will be able to tell you how to act to protect the patient and you (for example, how to do artificial respiration or Heimlich intake). If you are physically unable or afraid to do what you are told, try to find someone who can do it.

If an incident happens at night at a specific address (for example, in your home), make sure that the address pointer is clearly visible so that the ambulance or the rescuers can easily find you.

Dial 911 yourself. Do not call a friend or someone else to call emergency services for you. Your area's emergency line will connect you to local emergency services, plus it can track your number so help can be dispatched as quickly as possible. If someone else calls instead of you, it will take longer.

Some 911 centers use an automated dispatch communication program, according to which the dispatcher must quickly read the caller a set of questions. With the help of the received answers, the dispatcher will understand to whom to transfer your call. It is important to answer all questions and provide as much information as possible, even if it seems unimportant to you. If you have additional data about which the dispatcher did not ask, do not be afraid to provide it at a convenient time. Try not to interrupt the dispatcher when he / she asks questions.

Most 911 centers automatically transfer calls to the nearest center if the system is overloaded and they cannot take your call. As a rule, it is the center in the neighboring district. When you tell us how to get to you, try to take into account this moment - the one who receives the call may not be very well oriented in your area.

If for any reason you are unable to speak, tap on the phone or dial 5 twice - the operator will understand that you are in touch.

Contact your local police station and find out if they have a text message option if you have a hearing problem and cannot talk on the phone.

Before dialing 911, exit the emergency area.

Provide as much information as possible and speak as clearly as possible.

Фото: Depositphotos

Warnings

If an armed man took you hostage, it’s not safe to recruit 911. As an option - dial 911 and put the phone next to you turned on. The operator can not hang up if he hears that something is happening. Most likely, assistance has already been sent to you, since it is difficult not to notice the situation with the hostages (for example, because you cannot enter the building or the territory).

Do not practice calling 911 using a real 911 number. Emergency calls can only be made in these emergency situations.

In some states, being rude to an 911 dispatcher is punishable with a prison sentence. It is clear that in a stressful situation, not the best human aspects prevail, but try not to direct the flow of negative emotions towards people who are trained to help you.

Fake 911 calls are a crime in any state. They also distract dispatch personnel from answering real calls that require immediate attention.

Do not use deactivated mobile phones to practice calling 911 with your children. These calls are likely to be connected.

Do not expect that the 911 center will automatically determine your location - not all have technical capabilities for this. It is important that you know exactly where the incident occurs.

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