Calling 911

Emergencies can be frightening and disorienting. Fortunately, help is just a 911 phone call away. Select from the menu below to get answers to frequently asked questions about calling 911 in a medical emergency:

When should you call 911?

Call 911 for a serious, disabling or life-threatening illness or injury — like a fall, suspected heart attack or stroke, motor vehicle crash or some other traumatic injury

Is it OK to drive the patient to the hospital yourself?

Resist the temptation to go to the hospital by private vehicle. Early intervention improves a patient’s chances of survival and recovery. By using 911, emergency care reaches the patient sooner and, unlike in your car, trained personnel and equipment are on hand if the patient’s condition worsens en route.

What happens when you call 911?

When you call 911 for a medical emergency, try to be patient with the dispatcher. The fastest way to get help is to let the dispatcher lead you through a series of essential questions.  It may seem like it takes a long time but it is usually less than 30 seconds.

What should you do while waiting for the ambulance?

It takes an average of 15 minutes in Lyme for the emergency medical services team to arrive.  Here’s how you can use that time to prepare for the EMS team:

  • Don’t panic!  Any emotion you display will be mirrored back to you, especially in an older person or a child.  Stay with them and reassure them that more help is on the way.
  • Never move someone unless the situation is dangerous to the patient.  Leave them where they are until ambulance arrives.
  • Follow the 911 dispatcher’s instructions.
  • Administer CPR if instructed.
  • Call 911 again if anything changes with the patient. Once the EMS team is on the way, the 911-dispatcher can contact us with any new information.

What happens when Lyme ambulance arrives?

It’s very helpful if you have the relevant medical information ready when we arrive. If you filled out a File of Life form, you’ve already gathered what we need. If not, please have the following information ready:

  1. Names and contact information of the patient’s doctors
  2. Medications currently being used, both prescription and non-prescription
  3. Allergies to medication, food, bee stings, etc.
  4. Medical history such as diabetes, heart conditions, recent surgeries, etc.
  5. Name, address, and birth date of the patient

If you would like a FREE File of Life kit, please email DeputyChief@lymeambulance.org.

Where does Lyme Ambulance take patients?

There are state guidelines for selecting the best destination. Lyme Ambulance operates under the constant medical control of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital who ultimately approves the decision.  If patient care is required at another hospital, they can be transferred after receiving immediate and appropriate care from the competent staff at one of the local facilities we serve:

  • Shoreline Medical Center in Westbrook
  • Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London
  • Middlesex Hospital in Middletown
  • Backus Hospital in Norwich
  • Marlboro Clinic (for residents of East Haddam)

What about COVID-19?

Evaluation will start with COVID-19 screening questions from our 911 dispatch center. We may respond to a medical call dressed in additional personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, mask, goggles, gown, and face shields.

What’s the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?

Paramedic Services are required in about half of our transports to provide ALS (advanced life support)  as a supplement to “basic life support” provided by our Emergency Medical Technicians. The network of paramedic service is managed by the hospitals in our region. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are trained to provide advanced first aid, oxygen, CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), and cardiac defibrillator.  A paramedic has a higher level of training and can provide advanced treatments and medication.

You will get a bill from the hospital for paramedic services, if needed.

What can you do to prepare for an emergency?

Start by reading our tips on Being Prepared, including learning more about the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke and how to get your FREE ‘File of Life’ kit.

 

What else does Lyme Ambulance do?

Most people have a pretty good idea about what Lyme Ambulance does: we respond to medical emergencies and 911 Calls with trained volunteer personnel, often providing life-saving care that can stabilize an otherwise lethal situation. But the fact is, Lyme Ambulance does a whole lot more.

Community Education

We participate in the Heart Safe Community Program, which involves sponsoring “Friends and Family” CPR courses. Because even basic CPR skills can save a life in the first 10 minutes of a crisis.

Driver, EMR and EMT Certification and Continuing Education

To be able to handle any and all situations, our volunteers must train and retrain.  We meet every month for several hours with a certified EMS instructor to improve our knowledge and hone our skills.  We train with Lyme Fire for motor vehicle extrications, structure fires and wilderness rescues.  Every two years each EMT and EMR must re-certify.  In addition we share our “lessons learned” after challenging runs.

Inter-Agency Collaboration

We stand ready to support with our ambulances, other emergency services in nearby towns. Community events including the Hamburg Fair, Tour de Lyme and equestrian events depend on our standby services. The elderly and infirm including those with special needs can rely on us during major weather events. We help them prepare for those events, checking to ensure they are safe and secure and when necessary, transporting them to an area shelter if necessary.

Ultimately, we provide a safety net of emergency responsiveness to the rural community of Lyme, serving residents of every age. And thanks to voluntary contributions from Lyme residents, we do it without  impacting tax rates or revenues.