How to call an ambulance
The Fire Services Department provides emergency ambulance service to residents
within the territory, including outlying islands. In case a person, having an
emergency or injury, is unable to seek medical attention on his own, he can
call the 999 Hotline or the Fire Services Communication Centre at 2735 3355
for emergency ambulance service. If circumstances permit and his condition is
not too serious, he should go to the hospital by other means. To enable our
staff at the Centre to deploy ambulances more efficiently, a caller should provide
the following information after the line has been connected:
1. What has happened ( e.g. someone faints, sustains injuries or is ill );
2. Detailed location of the incident;
3. Brief description of the patient's condition ( e.g. age, sex, history, symptoms,
signs, seriousness of injury, number of people involved, etc );
4. Contact telephone number.
Common emergencies
in Hong Kong
Unconsciousness
No matter the unconsciousness is caused by disease, drug abuse or injury, the
patient is in danger of airway obstruction as long as unconsciousness persists.
Any obstruction of breathing will deprive the brain of oxygen and thus endangers
life. It is therefore necessary to be extremely careful when taking care of
unconscious patients.
Treatment of unconscious patients
1. Keep the patient's airway free of obstruction;
2. In case the patient stops breathing and has cardiac arrest, apply cardiopulmonary
resuscitation immediately;
3. Place the patient in coma position if the circumstances so warrant;
4. Control bleeding;
5. Undo any restrictive clothing;
6. Keep the patient warm.
Stroke
Stroke can be fatal. It is caused by partial or total suspension of blood supply
to the brain. Suspension of blood circulation may result from blood clots in
the arteries supplying blood to the brain, or blood clots in other parts of
the body blocking blood supply to the brain. It may also be caused by narrowing
of blood vessels or broken arteries in the brain.
Signs and symptoms of stroke
1. Headache;
2. Disorientation and/ or dizziness;
3. Dysfunctioning of limbs ( usually on one side of the body );
4. Collapse;
5. Flaccid facial muscle and loss of facial expression;
6. Loss of speech;
7. Unequal pupil size;
8. Strong and fast pulse;
9. Difficulty in breathing;
10. Nausea;
11. Convulsions;
12. Coma.
Treatment of patients attacked
by stroke
1. Make sure the patient's airway is free of obstruction;
2. Keep the patient calm;
3. Make sure there is fresh air for the patient;
4. Let the patient rest in a propped up position;
5. Do not feed the patient solid food or fluid.
Heart disease
Heart disease is a life threatening emergency. It is caused by insufficient
supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle due to narrowing or blocking
of the coronary arteries. Part of the heart muscle will die if oxygen deficiency
persists.
Signs and symptoms of heart disease
1. Severe pain in middle part of the chest, it is often of a gripping nature
and will last for a few minutes. The pain may be mistaken as indigestion;
2. The pain migrates from the chest to the arms, shoulders, neck, lower jaw,
middle part of the back or cardia;
3. Profuse perspiration;
4. Nausea and vomiting;
5. Extreme weakness;
6. The patient feels anxious and frightened;
7. The skin appears pale, while finger nails and lips turn blue;
8. Shortness of breath.
Treatment of patient suffering
from heart disease
1. Gently place the patient in a comfortable position;
2. Undo the patient's clothing, especially clothing around the neck;
3. Make sure there is fresh air for the patient;
4. Use a blanket or jacket to keep the patient warm;
5. Keep the patient calm.
Asthma
Asthma is caused by gradual or sudden narrowing of the bronchus which will result
in breathing difficulty, especially when exhaling. Asthma attack is often brought
about by patient exposing himself to certain environment that triggers allergy.
Infections(Bronchitis), exercises, cold weather, inhaling stimuli present in
the air or emotional factors can also cause asthma attacks.
Signs and symptoms of Asthma
1. Difficulty in exhaling. Air is squeezed out through narrow airway, emitting
hissing sound;
2. Nervousness, anxiety, fear;
3. Coughing;
4. May perspire at forehead;
5. Choking sensations;
6. May vomit;
7. May have a slight fever;
8. In severe cases, the skin will turn light blue due to insufficient oxygen
intake;
9. The patient will try to sit in an upright position in order to make breathing
easier.
Treatment of patient suffering
from Asthma
1. Reassurance;
2. Prop the patient up in a comfortable position;
3. Make sure there is fresh air for the patient;
4. Keep the atmosphere calm and harmonious.