By Rich Larson
Northfield Emergency Medical Services Chief Brian Edwards has a simple message for people wondering whether their medical situation is serious enough to call 911: if you’re unsure, make the call.
Edwards said EMS crews would rather respond, assess a patient and determine that an ambulance ride is unnecessary than have someone delay treatment during a serious medical emergency. Northfield EMS has been especially busy this summer, with Edwards saying call volumes have risen steadily and in fact, they saw more than 400 calls in July.
Among the symptoms that should prompt an immediate 911 call are sudden or severe pain, chest pain and other possible signs of a heart attack. Edwards said cardiac symptoms can also include jaw or tooth pain, shortness of breath and, particularly in women, sudden fatigue. Diabetic patients may also experience heart attacks without the more familiar symptoms.
Signs of a possible stroke are another reason to call immediately. Those can include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, an uneven smile, unequal grip strength, sudden problems with balance or a severe headache that appears without warning. Edwards stressed that time is critical when treating both strokes and heart attacks.
Other emergencies include difficulty breathing, uncontrollable bleeding and a person who cannot be awakened or suddenly becomes confused or disoriented.
Edwards also cautioned people experiencing a potentially serious medical problem against driving themselves to the hospital. A person suffering a heart attack, diabetic emergency or another condition could lose consciousness behind the wheel, creating a danger not only for themselves but for everyone else on the road.
Once a 911 call is made, dispatchers begin gathering information and can provide instructions before emergency crews arrive. That can include guiding callers through CPR, controlling bleeding or helping someone who is choking. Edwards said those instructions effectively begin patient care even before EMS reaches the scene.
Most importantly, Edwards said people should not worry that their situation is too minor or that they are bothering emergency responders. EMS personnel can evaluate the situation and help determine the best next step.
His advice is straightforward: when there is doubt, call.
“We want to be bothered,” Edwards said. “This is what we do.”
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
