When to Call 000

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When to Call 000

Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

It could save a life.

If someone is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call 000 and ask for an ambulance.

You should call 000 if a person experiences:

chest pain or tightness
difficulty breathing
sudden collapse or an unexplained fall
fits or seizures
uncontrollable bleeding
serious burns
unconsciousness
a fall from great height
injury from a car accident
serious assault
fits, allergic reactions or ongoing fever (in infants)

If you are providing first aid to someone in a medical emergency:

ask someone else to make the call to 000 if possible
call out for help if you are by yourself
if required, briefly leave the patient to make the call to 000 if no one else is available to help

For non-urgent or less serious conditions, you could visit a GP, pharmacist or call HealthDirect Australia on 1800 022 222 or visit www.healthdirect.gov.au.

What happens when I call 000?

When calling 000, an operator will ask if you need police, fire or ambulance.

When you ask for an ambulance, your call will be transferred to the SA Ambulance Emergency Operations Centre. You will then speak with one of our Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officers.

You will be asked for the exact address or location details and your contact phone number. Try to provide the full address including the street name and number, and suburb.

You will then be asked to provide some details about the patient, the situation, and their medical condition.

The Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officer will assess and assign the required level of ambulance response. They will also give you step-by-step first-aid instructions over the phone to help the patient if possible.

Stay on the line until the call-taking Officer tells you to. They may ask you to remain on the call until the ambulance arrives.

If your call is assessed as not requiring an emergency ambulance response, you may be transferred to one of our Extended Care Paramedics who will further assess the condition and discuss care options. SA Ambulance Service may also refer your call to the Home Doctor service if the patient’s condition is assessed as safe to do so.
Helpful tips when calling 000
- Stay calm and focussed
- speak clearly and slowly
- provide the exact address or approximate location details such as close landmarks and crossing main roads
- answer all questions
- always stay on the line until the 000 call-taker has all the information they need, and it is safe to hang up.
Tips to prepare for the arrival of an ambulance
- Ensure the house or building number can be seen by the ambulance. If it is night, turn on outdoor lights
- have someone standing by to meet the ambulance on arrival and direct them to the patient
- unlock any doors or gates to ensure the ambulance can access the property
- provide a clear and safe path to the patient if possible
- lock away any pets or animals
If the ambulance needs to take you (or the patient) to hospital:
- Bring a small bag of essential belongings, including any regular medication
- Avoid carrying valuables with you in the ambulance
- Remember to bring your keys and ensure the property is secured if possible
How much will an ambulance cost?

The costs of ambulance attendance will vary based on the circumstances of the person requiring care.

Ambulance transport and emergency response in South Australia is not free or covered by Medicare. Find out more about SA Ambulance Service Fees and Charges.