what is better - calling 911, or driving to the ER?

[Anonymous]

Is one better, safer, etc. than the other? Or do you think it depends on the situation?

[Anonymous]

Definitely depends on the situation. Depends on whether you have another adult with you who can calm the child, whether they're bleeding or might make the injury worse during the drive, whether time in traffic or in the waiting room could be a factor. Whether your insurance will cover an ambulance ride may also come into play.

[Anonymous]

My general rule of thumb is if it is potentially life threatening (even an allergic reaction beyond hives or an asthma attack that isnt helped by an emergency inhaler) call 911. Even if the traffic is worse or it takes more time, you'll be with emts who can deal with the situation or if the situation gets worse, can handle it.

[Anonymous]

agreed with 17:42. If it's life threatening or could progress into something life threatening, CALL AN AMBULANCE. We live within blocks of a hospital and I would still call, just to save ourselves the hassle of parking, traffic, stop lights, etc.

[Anonymous]

I think I could get to the ER faster than it would take for the ambulance to get to our house. SO I'd pretty much always drive.

[Anonymous]

Depends on where you live in proximity to the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally, I was told of a case where people were successfully sued for driving someone to the ER when they should have called an ambulance. The Ambulance workers, theoretically, could have administered life saving care more quickly.

If it's truly an emergency, always call 911.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I could get to the ER faster than it would take for the ambulance to get to our house. SO I'd pretty much always drive.

One question, though, is once you arrive at the ER--will you be triaged faster and treated faster having arrived on a stretcher by ambulance. usually, yes.

[Anonymous]

if it's a stroke, fuck 911 and drive like a bat of hell to the ER

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if it's a stroke, fuck 911 and drive like a bat of hell to the ER

I would still call them from the car so they know you are coming or can tell you if an ambulance is close, or what.

[Anonymous]

Once the EMTs get to the scene, the medical treatment begins.

[Anonymous]

Call 911. The EMT on the phone can provide like saving advice immediately.

......unless they are snoring of course.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on a situation. If it's a broken bone or something that is not life threatening, I'd drive or cab. Life threatening situations, always call 911. You might want to consider that they will bill YOU for the ambulance ride if it's not life threatening.

[Anonymous]

911 most definitly. You get to skip the line when you come in an ambulance. If you are near a busy hospital like Fairfax, you can sit in the waiting room for 8 hours with a broken leg.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp about calling 911 on the way. I once sliced open my leg with a sharp piece of glass and we lived about 15 min from a hospital so dh drove. I was on the phone with 911 most of the time who told me how to self triage the best i could to minimize the bleeding.