When a car accident causes injuries or someone begins to complain of chest pain, it’s clear what we need to do.
We all know when there is an obvious emergency and immediate help is needed. But what about those situations where you or a loved one experiences health issues and you aren’t sure if they are serious enough to call 911?
Here are a few situations when you should always call 911.
Chest pain
Never attempt to drive yourself or a loved one to the hospital if you or they are having chest pain lasting more than a few minutes or recurring symptoms. The ambulance is equipped with skilled professionals and the tools to help those experiencing chest pain until they can get to the hospital.
Vision issues
If you find yourself having a sudden loss of vision, double vision or blurry vision, this may be a sign of a stroke or other serious illness. This is also true if you have weakness, numbness, bad headaches, confusion or trouble speaking. Also, if there is pain and irritation in your eyes, seek emergency care as soon as you can.
Shortness of breath
If it comes on suddenly and keeps you from your everyday activities, have someone drive you to the emergency room. You should, however, call 911 (or have a loved one call 911) if your shortness of breath is severe or accompanied by nausea, chest pain or fainting.
Deep cuts
You need immediate attention if you can see the yellow fatty tissue underneath the first layer of skin. If you were cut by a rusty or dirty object, if you were bitten by an animal, if you have a foreign object stuck inside the cut or if you are bleeding badly, you should also call 911.
Go with your gut
It’s always a good idea to rely on your own intuition and to trust yourself. You know your body more than anyone else — and you know when things feel wrong.
These are by no means the only symptoms for which you should call 911. For example, you may also need to call 911 if you are experiencing severe stomach pain, severe vomiting, high fever, confusion/trouble speaking or seizure. The important thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to delay when it comes to seeking emergency assistance.