As many families are preparing to head off on holidays, the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is urging them to know their holiday address in case of an emergency.
QAS Sunshine Coast Local Ambulance Service Network (LASN) Assistant Commissioner Chris Broomfield said many holiday-makers enjoyed their time away without incident; however it was important for people to know these details, to ensure they could be relayed quickly during a Triple Zero (000) call.
“Knowing your exact holiday address can cut minutes off emergency response times, which can mean the difference between life and death,” Mr Broomfield said.
“In an emergency, people can be upset and can easily forget the address of a holiday home or become confused and give Triple Zero (000) Emergency Medical Dispatchers incorrect information.
“This can be particularly common in coastal areas as many apartments and units have similar names— that is why it’s important to have the address information on hand, ready to relay quickly and accurately.”
Mr Broomfield also stressed the importance of knowing beach access points while on holidays.
“In an emergency on a beach, it’s just as important for people to be able to correctly relay location information without delay,” he said.
“QAS is called to hundreds of beach incidents each year—most have positive outcomes where early treatment was the determining factor between a good and bad result for the patient.
“Every second counts in the case of serious incidents such as a near drowning, surfing or boating accidents and knowing your nearest beach access point can make all the difference.
“Most beaches have numbered access points or signage and it is wise for all beachgoers to take note of the number of their access point each time they use the beach.”