Coordinated by the 112 Emergency Call Center; ground, air, and water ambulances provide on-scene advanced life support and transport to a hospital.
Indication
- Life-threatening conditions such as loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, and acute chest pain
- Traffic accidents, falls, burns, and trauma
- Suspected stroke (sudden speech disturbance, facial/arm weakness)
- Heart attack, severe arrhythmias, and shock
- Childbirth or complications in advanced pregnancy
- Poisoning, anaphylactic shock, and severe asthma attacks
- Inter-facility transfer of patients between healthcare institutions
Preparation
- Call the 112 Emergency Call Center; provide a clear address and incident details
- Move the patient to a safe area; avoid unnecessary movement
- Observe consciousness, breathing, and circulation; provide basic first aid if needed
- Have information about current medications and known chronic conditions ready for the team
- Bring hospital admission documents (ID, health card)
How it's performed
- The call center dispatches an appropriate ambulance (ground/air/water) based on the urgency of the case
- Rapid triage and advanced life support are initiated at the scene
- Intravenous access is established; oxygen and necessary medications are administered
- Monitoring is performed (ECG, SpO2, blood pressure)
- Transport is provided to the most appropriate hospital, with continued intervention en route if needed
- The hospital emergency department is informed in advance (especially for stroke, heart attack, and trauma)
Post-procedure
- The patient is handed over at the hospital emergency department
- The family is informed; the medical team takes over
- Further investigations (ECG, imaging, blood tests) are performed
- Intensive care or ward admission is planned if needed
- Case records are shared between the 112 system and the hospital
Risks
- Travel time may be prolonged in heavy traffic or difficult weather conditions
- The clinical condition may worsen during transport
- Delays may occur in cases of incorrect or incomplete address information
- Rare risk of additional injury during patient transfer
FAQ
Is the 112 ambulance service free?
The 112 emergency ambulance services operated by the Ministry of Health are free for all citizens in genuine emergencies. No social security coverage is required.
When should I call 112?
Call 112 immediately for life-threatening conditions such as altered consciousness, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe trauma, heavy bleeding, and active labor.
Should I drive the patient myself or call an ambulance?
An ambulance is safer for heart attack, stroke, severe trauma, and shortness of breath. Treatment continues en route, and the hospital is prepared in advance.
Is the air ambulance used in every case?
Air ambulances are dispatched at the call center's discretion when ground transport is not feasible, distance is very long, or in time-critical cases (organ transplant, severe trauma, heart attack/stroke).
Related Information
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