What to Do in a Medical Emergency Before the Ambulance Arrives

When someone near you has a medical emergency, the minutes before an ambulance arrives can feel like the longest of your life. What you do in that window can genuinely help — not by replacing professional care, but by keeping the situation from getting worse until trained help reaches you.

Here's a practical breakdown of what to do, organized by situation.

1. Call first, then act

Always call for an ambulance before you start anything else, even if it feels like there's no time to spare. Once you're on the call, our coordinator can guide you through immediate steps while the ambulance is already on its way — you don't have to choose between calling and helping.

2. For breathing difficulty or choking

• Keep the person sitting upright if they're conscious — lying flat can make breathing harder.
• Loosen tight clothing around the neck and chest.
• If choking and the person can't cough, speak, or breathe, and you're trained in it, perform abdominal thrusts.
• Don't give food or water if breathing is compromised.

3. For severe bleeding

• Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth.
• Keep the pressure continuous — don't lift the cloth to check, add more layers if it soaks through.
• Elevate the injured area above heart level if possible and if it doesn't worsen pain.
• Don't remove any object that's embedded in a wound — stabilize around it instead.

4. For a fall or suspected fracture

• Don't move the person unless they're in immediate danger (like a fire or traffic).
• Keep the injured area still and supported.
• Watch for signs of shock — pale skin, rapid breathing, confusion — and keep them warm and calm.

5. For suspected cardiac arrest

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and you're trained in CPR, begin chest compressions immediately and continue until help arrives. Our dispatch coordinator can talk you through CPR steps over the phone if you're not trained — stay on the line.

What to have ready when the ambulance arrives

• A clear, accessible path to the patient — unlock doors, clear hallways.
• Any medications the person takes regularly, if readily available.
• Someone at the entrance or street to guide the crew in quickly, especially in gated communities or apartment complexes.