Tips when calling 911
According to Walden University, United States residents place 240 million calls to 911 annually for emergencies. That averages 600,000 calls per day. Most people will only call 911 once or twice during their lifetime. Find out from your municipality how many calls they handle per day.
As caregivers, you may have to call 911 when your loved one (or you) suffers an emergency. No one likes to make this call, but it pays to be prepared.
Some helpful tips are:
• Do not panic (easier said than done). Try to remain calm.
• As you are calling, think of what you will say. What is the nature of the emergency – chest pains, bleeding, fall, burglary, fire in home? What happened? Share as many details of the emergency as you can.
• What is the location of the emergency? The emergency may not always be in the home. Be aware of your surroundings – landmarks, street or road signs, and intersections.
• Talk loud enough and slow enough so that the dispatcher can hear what you are saying.
• Provide your name, address and phone number.
• Keep a watchful eye on your loved one to note any changes in their condition during the call.
• Follow the instructions of the dispatcher. Those instructions may lead to a better outcome and survival rate for your loved one.
The dispatcher is trained on what instructions to give in all emergency situations. They will request information about the medical history of your loved one.
A helpful tool is a paper placed on the refrigerator with the following information: name, age, diagnosis, allergies, prescribed medications, medical devices (pacemaker, feeding tube, catheters, etc.), special needs – hearing/vision loss, physician’s name and phone number, emergency contacts. If the person is a DNR — Do Not Resuscitate, please inform the dispatcher and have the form available when help arrives.
Help is on the way as you are speaking to the dispatcher. Do not hang up until instructed to do so. Keep a watchful eye on the person experiencing the emergency. Ensure that the home address is visible. Keep a light on. Unlock the door. Inform the person’s family member(s) of the emergency and which hospital he/she will be transported to.
In case of a fire in the home, evacuate as soon as possible. If the person you are caring for uses a walker, wheelchair or is bedridden, speak with your local fire department in advance and inquire about ways to evacuate them in case of a fire.
When caring for others, it is important to keep your mobile phone charged. Ensure that the land line phone is working properly. Keep a phone in easy reach.
You never know when an emergency may arise. Being prepared and knowing what to do is the key to surviving. Remaining calm and in control can be reassuring to you and your loved one.
Rev. Jiles Taylor-George, RN, BSN, MSN, is a native of Tallahatchie County and a certified caregiver group facilitator.
