Weekly Lifestyle Update: What to do in an emergency situation

What happens when you’re faced with a serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation requiring immediate action?

Of course your mind is screaming “Emergency” among thousand other jumbled thoughts; but what do you do?

Most often, we panic and do what we think is best and that is, try to get the injured to the hospital as soon and fast as we can.

But St John Ambulance PNG warns that “moving someone who is badly injured can worsen their condition or can delay emergency first aid treatment.”

This doesn’t mean you do nothing and watch the injured person’s condition worsen. No, you just need some professional guidance through this.

It is helpful to note that ambulance service is free for life-threatening emergencies and at this point, it is important to call an ambulance in an emergency when someone is sick or badly injured.

Two important numbers to memorise: 111 and 7021 9195 (direct line to the Ambulance Control Centre).

According to St John Ambulance PNG, you can call an ambulance from any landline or mobile phone in PNG, by just dialling 111 or 7021 9195.

You can call an ambulance from any landline or mobile phone in PNG, just dial 111, or 7021 9195 (for a direct line to the Ambulance Control Centre). 

111 is toll-free, meaning you can call an ambulance even if you have no phone credit.

Take time to read the information below:

Medical emergencies include: 

  1. Faint, collapse or unconscious
  2. Severe breathing problems / severe asthma
  3. Chest pain
  4. Bleeding that is severe and cannot be controlled
  5. Burns
  6. Broken bone
  7. Person is badly injured 

Other emergency incidents were people may be hurt, such as:

  1. Motor vehicle collision 
  2. Explosion 
  3. Fire

How to call an ambulance:

Dial 111 or 7021 9195

The call-taker will ask you questions. Be prepared to answer.

  1. What is the location of the emergency? Be prepared to give the exact address, e.g. street name and nearby landmarks e.g. SP Brewery building
  2. What is the telephone number from which you are calling?
  3. What has happened?
  4. How old is the patient?
  5. Is the patient awake?
  6. Is the patient breathing?

You may be asked to repeat some information.

This is so the call-taker can make sure they have collected the correct information.

Follow directions of the call taker. The call taker is in the best position to tell you how to manage the emergency. 

Do not hang up. Stay on the line and follow the directions given to you by the call-taker. The call-taker may instruct you to do basic first aid.

Only hang up when told to do so.

Always wait for the ambulance if the call taker tells you the ambulance is coming.

If the patient is taken to hospital by alternative transport before the ambulance arrives, you must call St John to advise them to cancel the job 7021 9195.

Adhering to this could make a difference.

(information provided by St John Ambulance PNG)

Author: 
Gloria Bauai