Call first. We can start preparing before you arrive.

What to say when you call

Stay on the line. The person answering will ask these four things — having them ready saves minutes.

• Where the patient is — the nearest landmark works better than an address
• What happened, and how long ago
• The patient's age, and whether they are conscious and breathing
• A phone number the crew can call back on

What’s on board

Oxygen support

On board

Emergency medicines and equipment

On board

Trained paramedic

On board

Advanced life support

To confirm

Coverage area

To confirm

Charges

To confirm

While you wait

• Don’t move someone with a suspected spine or neck injury
• Keep the patient warm, and loosen tight clothing
• Gather medicines, old reports and an ID if someone else can do it
• Send someone to the gate or the main road to flag the ambulance in