Posted by Dr Michelle Wright
My name is Dr Michelle Wright. Welcome to my Health Matters podcast.
I’m a British-trained doctor and General Practitioner, and I’ve been living and working in Switzerland for over 20 years.
In each episode, I bring you clear, evidence-based health information, relevant to your life here.
With the summer heatwaves finally behind us and life settling back into its usual rhythm, autumn can be a good time to catch up on a few practical check-ins.
One simple but important one is making sure everyone in your household knows what number to call in a medical emergency.
Do you know which number to call in an emergency?
When I’m delivering first aid training like I was today, I’m often surprised by how many people don’t know the number for an ambulance in Switzerland. Although, in their defence, we do have different numbers for the ambulance, police, fire service, poisoning emergencies and mountain rescue.
The number to remember for an ambulance in Switzerland is 144.
What about when you’re travelling outside Switzerland?
But what if you’re just over the border in France or Italy, or visiting another European country?
That’s when 112 is what you need. It’s the Europe wide emergency number and it also works here in Switzerland.
If you’re teaching children this number, there’s an easy way to help them remember it: one mouth, one nose and two eyes. Pointing to each as you move up the face: one, one, two.
What if you can’t remember the emergency numbers?
But if you’re struggling to remember these numbers already, this is where a free smartphone app called EchoSOS can help.
The App has been field tested by the Swiss emergency services and is available for iPhones and Android. It of course works in Switzerland but also in many other countries throughout the world.
How does EchoSOS work?
Launch the App and the first thing that will happen is that GPS coordinates from your phone will be used to identify which country you’re in. The emergency service numbers for that country are then brought up on the screen.
You choose which emergency service you need and press the call button.
Of course, you’ll still need to speak to the emergency operator and explain what has happened, how many people are involved and what first aid has been given. But being able to share your precise location can be invaluable, particularly if you’re outdoors, somewhere unfamiliar, or unable to provide a clear address.
Emergency call centres that are EchoSOS partners can see your location directly in their system. In those who aren’t, or if you’re outside of Switzerland, if you tell the call operator you can be located using EchoSOS.com, they can go to this website, type in your phone number and then they will be able to pinpoint your exact location.
What else can you use EchoSOS for?
As well as the standard numbers for ambulance, police, fire, and mountain rescue, you can also add emergency numbers to your personal screen on the App. For example, the Tox Info poisoning number 145, perhaps your doctor, or your health insurer.
And if you scroll down on the same screen, in Switzerland, EchoSOS can also show nearby emergency departments, together with useful information like opening hours and, for participating hospitals or clinics, current occupancy levels.
Click on the address that appears above your emergency numbers, and you’ll see your GPS coordinates, altitude, and any address nearby.
There is also an emergency passport where you can record important medical information, including your medication, allergies and medical conditions. And a QR code can be displayed on your phone’s lock screen so rescuers can access this information if you’re unable to communicate.
The website echoSOS.com explains more and has links to where you can find the App to download.
It’s an absolute must for everyone I think, and particularly valuable for older children with their own phones.
But don’t wait until you need it – download it and set it up now. In an emergency, those few minutes of preparation could make all the difference.
That’s it for this episode of Health Matters. If you found it useful, please like, share, and follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Spotify – it helps others find reliable health information in English.
