What To Do in The First Five Minutes of an Emergency
Emergencies never give us any warning. One moment the family is laughing around the table, and the next, someone has collapsed, been hurt in an accident or cannot breathe properly. In moments like these, it is completely normal to feel panic. The good news is that having a simple plan in your mind can help you stay calm and get help to your loved one as quickly as possible.
Make sure it is safe to help
Before you rush in, take a second to look around. Check for moving traffic, fire, loose electrical wires or deep water. You cannot help anyone if you get hurt yourself, and an extra patient only makes it harder for emergency teams when they arrive.
Call for help straight away
Call the Affinity Rescue 24-hour emergency line on 0861 11 77 74 as soon as you can. In a life-threatening emergency, our Contact Centre will send a road or air ambulance with qualified emergency medical care practitioners to your location. Put your phone on speaker, so your hands are free to help while you talk.
Give clear information
The person on the line will ask you a few questions, and clear answers help them send the right help to the right place. Tell them your exact location, including the street address and any nearby landmarks. If you are on a highway, give the nearest off ramp, town or kilometre marker. Explain what happened, how many people are hurt, and whether the person is awake and breathing. Stay on the line, follow the instructions you are given, and keep your phone free afterwards in case the team needs to call you back.
Why calling us first matters
Whenever you can, please call us before going to a hospital or casualty room. This lets us arrange your care and helps make sure your emergency is covered. If you are physically unable to call before you are treated, please let us know within 48 hours of your admission, as soon as you can.
While you wait for help
Unless the person is in danger where they are, do not move them, especially after a fall or a car accident. Keep them still, warm and calm, and talk to them gently so they know help is coming. Do not give them anything to eat or drink. If they are bleeding, press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth. If you are trained in CPR and the person is not breathing, start CPR and keep going until help arrives. It also helps to switch on an outside light, unlock the gate, or send someone to wait at the road so the ambulance can find you quickly.
Prepare today, before you need it
Save 0861 11 77 74 on every phone in your family and teach your children how to call it and say their address. Display the stickers from your Membership Pack on your car or phone, so the number is always close by. Keep a list of any medical conditions, allergies and medication for each family member in your wallet or on your phone. Download the free iER App too, so that emergency teams can see exactly where you are.
You do not have to face it alone
Nobody ever wants to use an emergency plan, but having one gives you the confidence to act when it matters most. When you call us, you are never on your own, because our team is ready to guide you and send help 24 hours a day.