Heart Health – During a 911 call for a heart attack

by: Michael A. Loiz, Director of EMS

12038863_l-300x300What to Expect During a 911 call:

Stratford 911 dispatchers are trained to ask questions that will help you get the assistance you need as quickly as possible. It is important that you stay on the line with your 911 dispatcher until you receive instructions to hang up.

When calling for a heart attack, dispatchers will ask a series of important questions to ensure that they have the right information to send the right kind of help, relay accurate information to your responders, and provide the most accurate assistance to you over the phone.

All of their questions are important and are based on an internationally used protocol that has been tested and refined over the past 30 years.

You need to understand that in true emergencies, the ambulance is already responding within a minute of making the call. The most important thing you can do for yourself or the person you are calling about is stay as calm as you can.

Some of the questions you need to be prepared to answer are:

  1. Address and phone number: They might be different from what the dispatcher’s screen says; that’s OK, just make sure you are clear and accurate with that information.
  2. Whether or not you are with the patient: If you are on a corded phone, it may make it more difficult for you to answer questions about the patient if you are calling from another room.
  3. The patients age and whether or not they are awake and breathing
  4. You will be asked if they are having trouble breathing, what their skin color looks like, and whether or not they are sweating.
  5. You will also be asked if they have ever had a heart attack before, or if they have taken any medication in the past 12 hours.

Some important things you can do to help the dispatcher and your responders are:

  1. Put away any family pets.
  2. Gather the patient’s medications.
  3. Turn on outside lights (even during the day)
  4. And unlock the front door.

Remember, don’t wait, call 911 right away.

Fore more information visit: stratfordems.org