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Car or Ambulance: What Should You Opt for in an Emergency?

Reaching the hospital as soon as possible is crucial in medical crises. It is hard to guess whether it would be better to hop into the car or call the ambulance. But your decision can create the difference between life and death.

Most of us prefer to drive the ailing to the hospital rather than call up an ambulance. There are situations when we retort with scorn in case someone asks to call an ambulance over driving to the nearest hospital. Isn’t that heartless? No, it’s not. If you want your friend or relative to get proper treatment and recover sooner, it is always better to choose ambulance over driving by car.

Ambulance Ensures Faster Treatment

If immediate treatment is necessary, it is better to choose an ambulance over getting a friend or relative drive to the hospital. In case the patient is unconscious or even conscious and reaches the hospital in an ambulance, s/he will be treated immediately. If the patient is brought in a car, the patient may need to wait for hours before getting treated. When driven in a car, it is assumed that the patient is stable and thus the more critical patients get treated first.

Every second is important in a medical crisis and can create the difference between life and death. If you think you or your near one is having a medical emergency, it is always advisable to get an ambulance. Not just the waiting time gets reduced substantially, but ambulances are well equipped with medical equipment and supplies as well and thus can provide medical aid on the way too if such a need arises. This is never possible if the victim is driven to the hospital in a car. Moreover, the staff in the ambulance can coordinate with the hospital and the doctors and the paramedics can remain better prepared as well. Owing to proper coordination, time loss is minimal in this case.

Driving Someone to the Emergency Can Throw His Life at Risk

If you choose to drive someone to the hospital, you are putting the victim at higher risk.  Here are some of the risk factors.

  • Getting distracted while driving
  • Absence of adequate knowledge on medical care
  • Lack of medical equipment and supplies

At times, simply moving the victim from one place to another can cause serious trouble. It is crucial to adopt a few measures while moving the victim. In case the spinal cord of the patient gets injured, a spineboard would be necessary apart from specialized care. By simply taking a look at the patient, you may not understand whether the victim has spinal injuries but it is better to observe caution if the injured is facing trouble moving arms and legs, has stiffness or pain in the neck or the back area or is not conscious. In such a situation, it is better to avoid moving the patient and instead cordon the area so that the injured remains well protected.

Get an Ambulance if the Situation Demands So

It is alright to take the victim in a car at times. Call an ambulance understanding the gravity of the situation. Though it is hard to understand whether it is crucial to call an ambulance or a car would do if you are not a medical professional yourself, there are a few markers that will help you understand that.

  • Do you think the condition of the patient to be life threatening?
  • Can the condition of the patient deteriorate if driven in a car?
  • Are there chances to get delayed owing road traffic?
  • Can the ailing get harmed if you attempt to move him to get him to your car?
  • Will it take more than 15 minutes to reach the hospital?

If your answer to any of the above-mentioned questions is yes, it is better to call an ambulance rather than take the risk of driving him/her in a car.

If you are not sure whether you should call an ambulance or hop into a car, it is advisable to call an ambulance always. This way, you won’t risk the life of the patient. While you call an ambulance, be sure to speak slowly and clearly. Describe the problem and make sure that the dispatcher has all the requisite details to provide proper assistance.

Written By

He is the head of Sales and Customer Relations. Bio, Has been in the DME (Durable Medical Equipment) and Long Term Care Sales industry for over 20 years. Brought his experience and expertise to Mobi Medical in 2014 as VP of Sales and Customer relations.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Carry

    January 15, 2020 at 10:13 am

    The ambulance is advisable to ride in times of emergency. Thank you for this information it gave a lot of knowledge. Thank you for sharing.

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