When calling for help, the “phone first” approach is recommended in life threatening situations. This allows for a quicker response time for the ambulance and is especially important for casualties suffering from a serious injury or conditions such as a cardiac arrest. Outcomes for these casualties are significantly improved the quicker Advanced Life Support (defibrillation and drug therapy) treatment is given.
Calling for help is easy. Any person can call for an ambulance in an emergency situation via 000. The ambulance operator is specially trained in receiving emergency calls and providing instructions over the phone.
When you call Triple Zero (000)
If you are deaf or have a speech or hearing impairment call 106
For CB Radios Channel 9 for 27 MHz and Channel 5 for UHF are the emergency channels.
Make your call
When the ambulance arrives, DO NOT stop treatment until instructed to do so by the paramedics.
This allows the paramedics time to quickly prepare their equipment and get ready to take over treatment.
In locations, where single paramedics may respond, you may be asked to remain and assist the officer until further backup arrives. In these circumstances follow any directions given carefully.
The first aider can then assist the paramedics by:
It is important to remember that ambulance officers have a duty of care to the casualty and, as such, need to establish things for themselves despite what you, as a first aider, have told them. Do not be surprised if they question or re-assess the casualty, even though you may have presented a thorough history.
Depending on the circumstances, they may remove any bandages that you have applied to assess the injury themselves and apply specific purpose equipment.