Dr Xand van Tulleken gave a list of specific health circumstances to call the national emergency line
A doctor from BBC Morning Live has encouraged people to learn CPR, along with a straightforward ‘three-step’ life-saving technique which is easy and simple to do. Dr Xand van Tulleken, discussing what to do in an emergency, such as when someone faints or gets injured, emphasised that there’s one crucial step to take first.
Should I call 111 or 999?
“The first step you want to take is thinking about calling 999 or 111.” Stressing not to worry if you don’t know who to call, he says you can call 111 if there is suspected broken bones, sprains, burns and cuts.
“Those things can be dealt with more slowly and they’re less urgent.” Telling people when to call 999, he says you should do so if you/the person you’re worried about is having:
- a heart attack
- breathing problems
- a stroke
- a fit
- loss of consciousness
- severe burns
- an allergic reaction
- severe bleeding
- other major trauma
Dr Xand’s 111 warning
He said: “The main thing to say is that if you call 999 and they say it’s more of a 111 call, they are not going to laugh at you or shame you or give you any trouble. And it’s the same with 111.
“If you go to 111 and they go actually it’s a 999 call, they will help you and nobody is going to be annoyed. If you haven’t called the right number just make the phone call and start summoning the help that you need quickly.
“It’s the first thing I would say and those call operators are not working in a call center. They have a massive amount of training and massive expertise. They are proper healthcare professionals who really will be able to help you in any situation.”
How can I help someone who is hurt?
Once you’ve called 111 or 999, the doctor advises you to try to comfort or assist the person you’re concerned about and check if they’re conscious. You can begin by calling their name, if you know it, and gently tapping their shoulder while asking if they can hear you.
If they’re breathing, place them in the recovery position. If you’re unable to do this, don’t worry—just make sure you’ve called 999, Dr. Xand recommends.
If the person you’re concerned about is unconscious and they’re not breathing “at that point you want to start CPR”, the doctor says. You can also check whether There is a defibrillator nearby.
If they’re breathing, put them in the recovery position. If you can’t, don’t worry and call 999, Dr Xand says. If the person you’re concerned about is unconscious and they’re not breathing “at that point you want to start CPR”, the doctor says.
He says you can also check whether here is a defibrillator nearby. You can learn how to do CPR here. You can also watch Dr Xand do the recovery position here which is just done in three easy steps.
Reflecting on his own experience, Doctor. Xand explained that if someone is conscious and breathing but injured, the best thing to do is stay with them and help keep them calm.
Get this information from an injured person
- Get the persons GP details
- Details of medication they take
- Details of any allergies
- Next of kin/anyone to contact
“That will make treatment much more easy” Dr Xand concluded. He added you should “make sure someone looks after you that evening because it can be distressing” to see someone hurt such as if they’re been hit and are bleeding or are distressed at the time of the accident.