When to Call for Help

When to get help right away

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) says that these conditions need medical care right away. Call 911 for conditions such as:

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.

• Choking.

• Chest or upper belly pain or pressure lasting 2 minutes or more.

• Fainting, sudden dizziness, or weakness.

• Changes in vision.

• Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, or difficulty walking.

• Any sudden or severe pain.

• Uncontrolled bleeding.

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea, or vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop.

• Coughing or vomiting blood.

• Feelings about harming yourself or others.

• Trouble speaking, or numbness or weakness in any part of your body. 

• Unusual belly pain.

Additional conditions

Other conditions and symptoms that need emergency care include:

• Poisoning.

• A drug overdose.

• Loss of consciousness.

• Major burns or smoke inhalation.

• A deep or large wound.

• A spinal cord, head, or brain injury.

• A severe allergic reaction.

• A fast heartbeat (more than 120 to 150 beats per minute) at rest, especially if linked to shortness of breath or feeling faint.

• A broken bone, especially with a piece of bone poking through the skin.

• Drowning.

Emergencies for children

The ACEP and American Academy of Pediatrics say that these conditions need medical care right away. Call 911 if a child:

• Has any significant change from normal behavior.

• Has confusion or delirium.

• Is less responsive or alert or is unconscious.

• Is very sleepy.

• Is irritable.

• Has a seizure or abnormal shaking or twitching.

• Has strange or withdrawn behavior.

• Has a severe headache or vomiting, especially if the child injured their head.

• Has uncontrolled bleeding.

• Can't stand up or is unsteady when walking.

• Has breathing problems.

• Has skin or lips that look blue or purple or that look gray on darker skin.

• Has trouble feeding or eating.

• Has pain that gets worse or is very bad.

• Has a fever with a change in behavior. This could be a sudden, severe headache, mental changes, neck or back stiffness, or rashes.

• Has severe vomiting or diarrhea, vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop, or blood in vomit or stool.

• Has a severe stiff neck, headache, and fever.

• Has hot- or cold-weather injuries. These include frostbite or heat exhaustion.

• Has a suddenly spreading purple or red rash.

• Has an injury to the neck or spine.

• Has major burns or smoke inhalation.

• Is drowning.

• Has a broken bone, especially with a piece of bone poking through the skin.

• Has feelings about harming themself or others.

You should also call 911 if multiple children are affected by injury or serious illness at the same time.

When to call for help

These lists do not include every situation that may need emergency care. Remember, if you're not comfortable with a medical situation, call for help. By acting fast, you may prevent a serious emergency and could save a life.