In a Health Emergency in France! Call 15

Help! It’s an emergency!!🚨call 15 and follow these guidelines

1. If it's an emergency, communicate that immediately. The call handlers rely on the information you provide; they can't read minds. If it's urgent, say "c’est une urgence" or "j’ai besoin d’une ambulance" right away. Don't start with "he is unwell." Be clear about your needs.

2. Use the "échelle de douleur" or pain scale, where 0 out of 10 means no pain and 10 out of 10 means unbearable agony. Saying "la douleur est dix sur dix" is a clear way to convey urgency.

3. If you're dissatisfied with the doctor's proposed solution, express it. Would a French person hesitate to insist that something is very urgent and needs immediate attention? Don't be stoic. Make them understand that the situation is critical and that you won't leave until they take you seriously.

4. If you agree that the situation can wait or follow the doctor's advice, but then the situation deteriorates, CALL BACK. Dialing 15 is not a one-time action. You can do it multiple times if needed. Even if you speak to the same doctor, informing them that the patient's condition has worsened might prompt them to send an ambulance. Be as clear as possible.

5. Provide the doctor with any relevant medical history. If the patient has previously had a heart attack, inform them. If the patient is a type 1 diabetic, let them know. If the patient experienced a stroke 4 years ago, this information could be very important and influence the support the doctor thinks you need. Prepare notes on how to succinctly explain your significant other's medical history in French and keep them handy.

6. If you live alone, think about how you will handle making a call for yourself. Do you have a friend you can message in an emergency who could call on your behalf? Perhaps an emergency call button might be suitable given your current health condition? Many phones and watches today can detect falls and automatically call for help. They are often very affordable. Some connect directly to emergency services, while others can be set up to call a friend.

7. Learn the language. Even if you think fluency is unattainable, take lessons. If lessons are too costly, there are many free community courses available. Attend them. Learn how to manage a call like this. You never know when you might need to, and waiting for a translator (if one is even available) can waste valuable time. Learn key phrases. Keep them on your phone or magnet them to your fridge. Join Aurelie French teacher’s course, which is specifically designed to teach you this. Even if the only phrase you remember is ‘c’est une urgence. J’ai besoin d’une ambulance,’ it will get you help.

Advice found on Emergency Services France Demystified

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