Public Service Announcement

So I figured it was time to make a public service announcement on my blog. I have been thinking about this for awhile now, and I'm finally feeling well enough to do it.

No, This is NOT a pregnancy announcement!

As you know, I work as a dispatcher for an ambulance company. We prove emergent and non-emergent transport to the southern half of Orange county. There are many people in this area, and I'm sure throughout the country, that do not know the difference between emergent and non-emergent. This is where I come in! Please remember to take this with a grain of salt and realize that I have a dark sense of humor-you kind of have to in this line of work.

I feel that there should be a little list or flow chart next to every phone that goes over these points.

These are examples of emergencies:
1. Extreme loss of blood
2. Loss of consciousness
3. Severing of appendage
4. Impalement of object into body
5. Chest pain
6. Sudden change in behavior (confusion, erratic, etc)
7. Sudden inability to speak, see, or loss of movement on one side of the body
8. Stopped breathing
9. No pulse
10. Seizure activity

These are instances when 911 should be called. Some are obvious, others not necessarily. Even if you are with someone experiencing some of these symptoms and you feel you can get them to the hospital faster, wait for the paramedics as they are trained to handle these situations and can administer appropriate drugs. Besides, do you really think that you can drive responsibly to the hospital while your mind is on your friend or family member's well being? Nope. I promise you can't.

Some examples of non-emergencies:
1. Feeling weak and you are over the age of 65. It's called getting older. (and if it's 100 degrees outside, don't have your heater on)
2. Feeling weak and you are under the age of 65. You're human and tired. Chances are you didn't get your cup of coffee or energy drink. Eat a cookie!
3. Toothache. The hospital can't do anything for that other than give you Advil or Tylenol. And you can do that at home.
4. Sprained ankle. Call a friend or family member to take you.
5. Wrist pain from a fall. You can still walk right? Or is that what caused your fall...hmmm...
6. Neck pain from a car accident...in a parking lot...while going 5 mph...trust me, you're fine.
7. I'm freaking out man! (I know that most people who read this are LDS, so this doesn't apply) You took one hit of pot. You are probably going to throw up. You aren't going to die. I promise.
8. Finger pain from closing the door on said finger. Really?
9. Parents of children who fell off the bed, cried initially, and are acting normal now. Kids are resilient. Plus they bounce!
10. Constipation. Ever heard of fiber? Metamucil? Fruit? Water? There are laxatives out there too...

So obviously, things must be evaluated on a case by case basis. Always err on the side of caution. But please think before you pick up that phone. Ask yourself or someone else, if it's really an emergency.

And remember, 911 is not for complaining that the drive-thru did not get your order right.

Stay classy people!