When to Call 911
If you believe someone is in a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. Do not delay.
Important: This tool provides general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When in doubt, always call 911 or your local emergency number. If you feel something is wrong, trust your instincts and seek help.
Is the person experiencing any of these?
Select any that apply. If any of these are present, call 911 immediately.
What is the main concern?
Select the category that best describes the situation.
Chest / Heart Symptoms
Call 911 if:
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain spreading to jaw, neck, shoulder, arm, or back
- Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat with dizziness or fainting
- History of heart disease with new symptoms
See a doctor soon if:
- Mild chest discomfort that comes and goes
- Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing (may be muscular)
- Heartburn that doesn't respond to antacids
While waiting for help:
- Have the person sit or lie down in a comfortable position
- If not allergic, have them chew one adult aspirin (325mg)
- Loosen tight clothing
- Stay calm and monitor their breathing
Breathing Problems
Call 911 if:
- Severe difficulty breathing or gasping
- Lips, face, or fingertips turning blue
- Cannot speak in full sentences due to breathlessness
- Wheezing that doesn't improve with inhaler
- Sudden onset of breathing difficulty with no known cause
- Breathing difficulty after an allergic reaction
See a doctor soon if:
- Persistent cough lasting more than 2 weeks
- Mild shortness of breath with exertion
- Recurrent wheezing episodes
Injury / Trauma
Call 911 if:
- Severe bleeding that won't stop with direct pressure
- Suspected broken bone with visible deformity
- Fall from significant height (over 10 feet)
- Motor vehicle accident with injuries
- Impaled object (do NOT remove it)
- Amputation or near-amputation
- Injury to the head, neck, or spine
- Deep wound or laceration exposing bone/muscle
While waiting for help:
- Apply direct pressure to bleeding wounds with a clean cloth
- Do NOT move someone with a possible neck or spine injury
- Elevate injured limbs above the heart if possible
- Keep the person warm and calm
Neurological Symptoms
Call 911 if (think FAST for stroke):
- Face — One side of the face droops when smiling
- Arms — One arm drifts downward when both raised
- Speech — Slurred or strange speech
- Time — Call 911 immediately, note the time symptoms started
- Sudden severe headache ("worst headache of my life")
- Sudden loss of vision or double vision
- Sudden confusion or inability to understand speech
- Seizure in someone who doesn't have epilepsy
Abdominal Symptoms
Call 911 if:
- Severe abdominal pain that came on suddenly
- Vomiting blood or blood in stool
- Abdominal pain with fever, rigid abdomen, or inability to stand
- Abdominal trauma (hit, stabbed, crushed)
- Pregnant with severe abdominal pain or heavy bleeding
See a doctor soon if:
- Persistent nausea or vomiting lasting more than 24 hours
- Abdominal pain that worsens over hours
- Unable to keep fluids down (risk of dehydration)
Mental Health Crisis
Call 911 if:
- Active attempt to harm self or others
- Person has a weapon and is threatening
- Severely altered mental state (psychosis, extreme agitation)
Crisis Resources:
How to help:
- Stay calm and speak in a gentle, non-judgmental tone
- Do not leave the person alone
- Remove access to means of harm if safe to do so
- Listen without trying to "fix" the situation
Child / Infant Concerns
Call 911 if:
- Child is not breathing or breathing is very labored
- Child is unresponsive or limp
- Infant under 3 months with fever over 100.4F (38C)
- Seizure in a child
- Child swallowed a poison, medication, or battery
- Signs of severe dehydration (no tears, no wet diapers for 8+ hours)
- Purple/blue skin color
- Child was submerged in water
Poison Control:
Call 1-800-222-1222 for any suspected poisoning
General Guidance
Always call 911 if:
- You believe someone's life is in danger
- The person is unable to move or stand
- The situation is getting worse rapidly
- You are unsure and feel something is seriously wrong
When you call 911:
- Stay calm and speak clearly
- Give your exact location (address, cross streets, landmarks)
- Describe what happened and how many people are affected
- Follow the dispatcher's instructions — they may guide you through CPR or first aid
- Do NOT hang up until the dispatcher tells you to
If in doubt, always call. It's better to be safe.
This symptom guidance tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not designed to diagnose conditions or replace the judgment of healthcare professionals. Always call 911 or your local emergency number when you believe there is a medical emergency. RescueLink EMS is not liable for actions taken based on this information.