To call for an ambulance in an emergency: phone 111 (including mobile phones)

People with impaired hearing: phone 0800 16 16 16 (text phone only) or fax 0800 16 16 10

1. Phone 111
2. Ask for Ambulance
3. Keep calm. Be clear
4. Tell them where
5. Tell them who
6. Tell them what

You need to act quickly and decisively, because often getting emergency services to the scene as soon as possible can make a great deal of difference to the outcomes.

If you come across an accident or emergency, or if you are involved in one and are able to call us, there are some simple but very important things you need to do.

You can call this emergency number 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any phone, including a mobile phone. If you have a pre-paid mobile phone, and you have run out of airtime, you can still phone 111 and you will be connected.

When the operator answers, ask for Ambulance. You will be put through to the relevant Ambulance Communications Centre. The person who answers your call will state "Ambulance" and ask "Where is your emergency?"

It is very important that you give us the details that we need to do our work calmly and clearly, so that there are no misunderstandings and we can fully brief our St John team as they respond to your call.

Tell us where you are first, so that we can despatch an ambulance to you immediately. It is important to know the street name and number if possible and the closest side street and the suburb and city or town you are in. If you are on a main road tell us approximately how far you are from the nearest town or landmark.

Tell us who you are and the phone number of the address you are calling from as this will help locate your house or location on our maps and give us the means of ringing you back for more information or to give advice.

Tell us what has happened so that we can send the most appropriate resources to your assistance and enable our staff to offer you advice about what to do before we arrive. You will be prompted for information. Please answer these questions if you know the answers. For example:

• it is important to know if the person is conscious or awake
• any dangers at the scene that we need to be aware of (such as fallen electricity lines)
• any medical information about those who have been injured that will help (example, anyone who is pregnant or has asthma, epilepsy, or a heart condition)
• and what happened leading up to the emergency.

If it is at night turn on all of your internal and external lights and send an adult to the gate to guide the responding ambulance staff.

1. Do a St John First Aid Course. That way you will know what to do in an emergency situation.
    
2. Keep a St John First Aid Kit in your home and one in your car.