When should you call an ambulance? Let's find out exactly!

Your chest is pounding, your body is cold and sweaty. It's very uncomfortable. You think this is an emergency. You pick up the phone and try to call an emergency number. An ambulance is for times like this, right? But is it necessary to call an ambulance in every emergency? Let's talk about this today. Because knowing this for sure can help save a life.

Is an ambulance just a vehicle?

Many people think of an ambulance as just a vehicle that transports patients. But it's actually much more than that. Simply put, an ambulance is like a small, mobile emergency room.

It contains a lot of medical equipment needed to keep a patient stable until they are taken to the hospital. It is also staffed by specially trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Although they cannot provide full-scale treatment like a doctor, they can do the necessary things to save a life in an emergency.

What services are available in an ambulance?

• When you make an emergency call, they come to where you are.
• We will provide the necessary first aid to stabilize your condition until you reach the hospital.
• You will be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital as soon as possible.
• Sometimes, they may also decide whether to airlift the patient to another specialized hospital, depending on the patient's condition.

When should you definitely call an ambulance?

This decision can be a bit difficult to make in an emergency. But if you feel that your life or the life of someone you are helping is in danger, never delay. In Sri Lanka, we can call the 1990 Suva Seriya Ambulance Service, which is provided free of charge by the government .

In the following cases, be sure to call an ambulance.

How is this important for someone living in a village, far from a hospital?

Imagine that you are in a village about 20-30 kilometers away from the city and the hospital. Your elderly father is showing signs of a stroke . You may think that waiting for an ambulance at a time like this is risky. But the best thing to do is actually call 1990. The reason is that as soon as you call, the trained officer on the phone will give you instructions on what first aid to give the patient until the ambulance arrives. By following those instructions, you can prevent the patient's condition from getting worse.

What are the times when an ambulance is not needed?

Although some situations may seem dangerous at first glance, they are not life-threatening emergencies . In such cases, it is better to use another option instead of calling an ambulance.

During Childbirth

In most cases, childbirth is not a medical emergency . Contractions can start a few days before the baby is born. There is no need to panic and call an ambulance at this time.

However, if the following emergencies occur, call an ambulance immediately:

• If there is excessive bleeding, difficulty breathing, or any other emergency affecting the mother/baby.
• If there is no safe way to get to the hospital (e.g., no one to take you, no vehicle).
• If it is dangerous for the mother to stay at home due to a pre-existing medical condition.
• If the baby needs emergency medical treatment immediately after birth.

In minor accidents that do not cause harm to life

Imagine that you were chopping vegetables in the kitchen and you cut the tip of your finger. There was blood everywhere. Seeing this, someone at home might even feel a pang. Is this enough to call an ambulance?

Most likely not. But what you should do is clean the wound thoroughly, put the cut finger in a bag with ice, and get to the nearest emergency room (ETU) as soon as possible. If you can drive yourself, do so, or ask a friend or family member for help.

But, imagine if you had an injury to a large limb, like an entire arm or leg, that would definitely be a time to call an ambulance.

Other situations where an ambulance is not needed, but you need to go to the ETU:

• A medium-sized burn.
• A sprain or bruise on the body.
• If you come back to your senses quickly after the seizure .

At times like this, instead of overloading the ambulance service, using your own means of transportation is a great help to other seriously ill patients.

Ambulance cost and hospital selection

This is the biggest advantage we have in Sri Lanka. The 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service is a completely free service. Therefore, in the event of an emergency, there is no need to worry about money.

However, if you use an ambulance service at a private hospital , there will be a fee charged for it. Therefore, it is wise to inquire about the fees before availing such a service.

Can I go to the hospital I want by ambulance?

The main objectives of the ambulance service are twofold. One, to stabilize the patient. Two, to transfer the patient to the nearest appropriate hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as quickly as possible. Their priority is to save the patient's life.

Therefore, they usually take the patient to the nearest hospital that can treat the condition. They may consider your request if they can accommodate it (e.g., if the hospital you prefer is nearby and there is no risk to the patient). However, the final decision depends on the patient's safety.