What to do before the Ambulance arrives in an emergency

Your first instinct in an emergency where someone is hurt will likely be to call 999, and while calling the emergency services is vital, there are some steps you should take before the ambulance arrives in order to give the casualty the best chance at a positive outcome. 

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Panic helps no one. Take a deep breath, and make sure the scene is safe for you and others before approaching the casualty. If you become a casualty too, you can’t help anyone.

Call 999 Immediately

In the UK, 999 is the number to call in any life-threatening emergency. If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, err on the side of caution — call anyway.
Give the call handler:

• Your exact location (postcode if possible)
• What’s happened
• The casualty’s condition (conscious? breathing?)
• Any hazards nearby

Follow their instructions carefully as they may guide you through life-saving steps.

Check for Response and Breathing

Is the person responsive? Gently shake their shoulders and shout.

Are they breathing normally? Look for chest movement, listen for breath, and feel for air.

If they’re unresponsive and not breathing, this is a cardiac arrest. Start CPR immediately (more on that below).

Start CPR If Needed

If you’re trained in CPR, or even if you’re not, don’t wait. The call handler can talk you through it.

Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest (at least 100–120 compressions per minute to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive”).

Use a defibrillator (AED) if one is available, iit will guide you with voice prompts. Having a defibrillator nearby can be the difference between life and death as the chances of survival for someone in cardiac arrest without CPR and a defib fall by around 10% per minute.

You can find a range of defibrillators for sale here.

Remember: Any CPR is better than no CPR.

Control Bleeding or Other Visible Injuries

If the person is bleeding heavily:

• Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or your hand.
• Elevate the wound if possible.
• If bleeding soaks through, don’t remove the original cloth, add more layers on top and keep pressing.
• For burns, cool with cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Don’t use ice, creams, or butter.

Keep Them Warm and Reassured

Shock is a common and dangerous response to injury or trauma. Help reduce the risk:

• Keep the person lying down if possible.
• Loosen any tight clothing.
• Cover them with a coat or blanket to keep warm.
• Speak calmly and reassuringly.

Send Someone to Guide the Ambulance

If you’re in a hard-to-spot location (rural area, building with poor signage), ask someone to wait outside or wave the ambulance down to save precious seconds.

Don’t Do More Than You’re Trained To

It’s tempting to try everything, but stick to what you know. Don’t give medications or move someone with a suspected spinal injury unless absolutely necessary.

First aid is about preserving life, preventing deterioration, and promoting recovery - not taking risks.

Be Prepared Before It Happens

In a crisis, training kicks in. That’s why we always say: learn first aid before you need it.

At Imperative Training, we equip everyday people with the skills and confidence to act in any emergency - offering a range of First Aid courses to be delivered at a location which suits you.

Our courses cover CPR, AED use, bleeding, choking, seizures, burns, and much more.