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Ambulance
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WHAT IS AN AMBULANCE?
An ambulance is a vehicle used to transport people who are sick or injured. Most ambulances are either trucks with space for patients or cargo vans with raised roofs. Ambulances usually take patients to a hospital.
Specially trained people called emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, ride in ambulances. They give sick or injured people emergency medical care before they reach the hospital.
Ambulances have many types of equipment that are used to move and to treat patients. Equipment for moving patients includes stretchers and cots with wheels. An ambulance’s medical equipment helps to treat breathing problems, heart attacks, broken bones, and burns right away.
Large cities have hundreds of ambulances. They are owned by public and private hospitals, fire departments, and private emergency medical services.
There are several types of ambulance, all specially equipped and including:
- vans (the most common type of ambulance)
- four-wheel drives
- motorbikes
- buses
- airplanes
- helicopters
When should I call for an Ambulance?
You should call One Zero Eight (108) and ask for an ambulance when there is an emergency, such as when someone:
- is experiencing a suspected heart attack, or has unexplained chest pain or chest tightness
- suddenly has weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg
- is having breathing difficulties
- is unconscious
- has a seizure
- falls from a great height
- has been stabbed or shot
- has a severe burn (especially in children)
- has sudden and severe abdominal pain
- has been injured in a major vehicle accident
- has collapsed suddenly or lost consciousness
- suddenly collapses or falls
- is experiencing heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
- has one or more broken bone
What happens when I call an Ambulance?
The person who answers your One Zero Eight (108) call will ask you questions to decide whether it is an emergency.
If they consider it is an emergency, they will send an ambulance. They might also give first aid advice on what to do until the ambulance arrives. If so, it is important that you follow the advice.
If they consider it is not an emergency, they might transfer you to a healthdirect registered nurse. They will be able to provide you phone assistance.