Waiting for the Ambulance: A Guide for Relatives

When a relative suddenly falls ill or has an accident, the minutes passing after calling 112 or Nova Ambulans can feel endless. Many people panic with anxiety like "What if I'm late?", "What if I do something wrong?". However, using this time correctly facilitates both the patient's safety and the ambulance team's job. The WHO road-traffic fact sheet warns that "delays of minutes can make the difference between life and death" in post-crash care [4]Source: Road traffic injuries — WHO Fact Sheet — World Health Organization — the same principle applies to acute medical events at home. This is a practical waiting guide for patient relatives.

1) Check Your Safety and the Scene First

The first step to take while waiting for an ambulance is to ensure the safety of both yourself and the surroundings [1]Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies -- First Aid — ifrc.org:

• If in traffic, turn on hazard lights, pull the vehicle over if possible.
• Warn other drivers with a warning triangle, reflector, or flashlight.
• If there are risks like electrical leakage, fire, gas smell, move away and move the patient to a safe area only if there is a life-threatening danger.

Any intervention made without ensuring safety can lead to secondary accidents [1]Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies -- First Aid — ifrc.org.

2) Don't Call the Call Center Repeatedly, Prepare Information

Instead of keeping the line busy after calling 112 or Nova Ambulans, keep the information that might be asked of you ready:

• Exact address or location link
• Patient's age, known diseases, and medications used
• When and how the event happened

The call center will call you back when necessary. Calling repeatedly can make it difficult for new calls to fall into the system.

3) How Should You Behave Next to the Patient?

Communication with the patient while waiting for an ambulance is very important [2]Source: European Resuscitation Council (ERC) -- First Aid Guidelines — European Resuscitation Council:

• If conscious, introduce yourself by saying their name, say you are with them and help is on the way.
• Ask short and clear questions: "Where does it hurt?", "Are you having trouble breathing?", "Are you dizzy?"
• If they have thick clothes or tight garments, loosen them in a way that does not block air flow.

Remember, your calmness reflects on the patient. Panic and a loud crowd can aggravate the patient's condition [2]Source: European Resuscitation Council (ERC) -- First Aid Guidelines — European Resuscitation Council.

4) What Should You Not Do?

Some well-intentioned behaviors can cause harm in an emergency:

• Do not give water or food to an unconscious or semi-conscious person [1]Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies -- First Aid — ifrc.org[2]Source: European Resuscitation Council (ERC) -- First Aid Guidelines — European Resuscitation Council.
• Do not move the patient unnecessarily if there is suspicion of neck, back, or head trauma [2]Source: European Resuscitation Council (ERC) -- First Aid Guidelines — European Resuscitation Council.
• Do not try every "first aid method" you read on the internet or heard before.

If you do not have basic first aid training, it is best to strictly follow the directions of the 112 or ambulance operator [3]Source: World Health Organization (WHO) -- Emergency Care Systems — World Health Organization.

5) How Can You Make Things Easier When the Ambulance Team Arrives?

Seconds matter when the ambulance team arrives. The following speed up the intervention:

• Ensure someone meets the teams at the door or building entrance.
• Share information like elevator, door code, and apartment location clearly.
• Keep medical documents (report, medication list, ID) ready in a single file.

Short and clear information makes it easier for the team to make the right decision.

Your only duty while waiting for an ambulance is not to "remain a spectator"; with the right steps, you can be an active supporter increasing the patient's safety [1]Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies -- First Aid — ifrc.org. Taking basic first aid training and creating an emergency plan within the family makes you feel more ready for these moments. The CDC reminds that "the sooner you get to an emergency room, the sooner you can get treatment to reduce the amount of damage to the heart muscle" [5]Source: About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — your work at the scene buys that time. Nova Ambulans is with you with its experienced team in emergencies and planned transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I move the patient while waiting for an ambulance?

If there is no life-threatening danger like fire, explosion risk, or traffic, it is best to move the patient as little as possible, especially in case of trauma suspicion. In the possibility of neck, back, or head injury, move the patient only with the direction of the 112/ambulance operator or health team.

How many minutes does the ambulance arrive, how do I know if it's normal?

Ambulance arrival time varies according to traffic, weather conditions, and address clarity. The call center directs the nearest suitable team according to the urgency of the situation; instead of calling repeatedly while waiting, it is more beneficial to clarify the location and focus on basic first aid steps.

What should I prioritize if I am alone until the ambulance arrives?

Your priority should be scene safety and clear communication with 112/Nova Ambulans. Give short and clear information, use speakerphone or headphones to free your hands, and apply simple first aid steps (pressure on bleeding, opening airway, etc.) during this time.