To Dial or not to Dial 911? 
When should your employee dial 911?
Your
coworker is dizzy, has slurred speech, or chest pain.
What should you do?
It
is often confusing in situations to know when to dial 911. Below
is a list of medical emergencies that require
an immediate 911 call.
- Weakness
- Chest
pain
- Coma
or unresponsiveness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Drug
overdose
- Heart
attack
- Heat
stroke
- Shortness
of breath
- Slurred
speech
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- Stroke
- Sudden
blindness
- Uncontrollable
bleeding
- Uncontrolled
nose bleed
- Vomiting
blood
- Serious
Burns
- Bleeding
with weakness (shock)
- Broken
bones visible through an
open wound
- Broken
leg
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Placing
a 911 call can feel stressful and overwhelming. Knowing what
to expect from the 911 call taker can help get the emergency crew
when and where they are needed. The following steps can help
your 911 call go smoothly.
"Do
I dial 911, or 9-911?"
Make
sure your employees know your company's dialing rules when calling
911. Does your building require a special code or outside
line access number? Post 911 dialing rules near employee's
phones to minimize confusion in an emergency situation.
"Click,
click, Hello?"
Once
on the line with the 911 call taker, do not hang up. The situation
may require them to transfer you to the proper call center, and
you may hear clinking noises.
"What
is your location?"
Although
the 911 systems usually can determine the calls origin, the 911
call taker will need to confirm your location. Answer the
questions clearly and calmly, and do your best to explain the exact
location within the building of the victim.
"What
is taking so long?"
It
may seem as though the 911 call is taking a long time, but emergency
help is most likely already being dispatched while you are still
talking.
"Clear!"
Inform
the 911 call taker if your company has an automated external defibrillator,
or AED. The call taker may give you directions on when and
how to use the device and help in administering CPR. Ask for
clarification if you don't understand.
"Good
bye."
Do
not hang up until the call taker instructs you to do so.
"Right
this way!"
It's
a good idea to send someone to the front of the building to meet
the emergency crew and escort them to the victim.
Visit www.safetymax.com for recent updates and more information
on emergency plans, fire life safety training, building evacuation,
and other services.
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