Tiny Hearts Education: Paramedic on what do when waiting for an ambulance Australia

A former paramedic has provided parents with a list of tips on what they should do while they wait for an ambulance to arrive during an emergency involving their child.

Nikki Jurcutz, mum and the CEO of parenting organisation Tiny Hearts Education, says it can take up to 15 minutes for emergency services to reach your home in the city – and even longer in rural areas.

Several of Ms Jurcutz’s tips relate to ensuring paramedics have easy access to the child, such as locking pets away, clearing a path, and opening any gates and doors that might be an obstruction.

Other tips focused on being prepared for the trip to the hospital – collecting important medical and allergy information, locating your wallet and Medicare card, and deciding which parent will ride in the ambulance with the child.

The former paramedic posted a video detailing 15 things parents can do in the 15 minutes until emergency services reach their house.

‘After calling 000, it takes about 15 minutes for an ambulance to get to your house,’ Nikki said in the short clip.

‘It’s even longer for rural parents, and those 15 minutes where it’s just you and your child are the crucial moments. Knowing what to do and staying calm will make all the difference.’

Nikki advised parents clear the path to their child, open all the gates and doors, and put their pets away.

It’s also essential that parents have all of their important documents ready, including medical information, Medicare cards, list of allergens.

Parents should continue to monitor their child for any changes and be ready to administer CPR if necessary. 

In terms of future planning, it’s important to decide what to do with other children (arranging for a babysitter), and decide what parent is riding in the ambulance. 

Dozens of parents flocked to the comments to ask Nikki questions.

‘What should I do if my child is not breathing and I am alone? How can I clear a path or let the paramedics in if I am doing CPR?’ a mum asked.

Nikki answered, ‘If your child requires CPR, that will take priority over moving furniture. The most important thing at this time is keeping blood flowing to their vital organs. The other things can wait.’

A parent wrote: ‘What happens if you’re on you own and have a second child? And no one to look after them? Can they come to the hospital too?’

But another parent revealed that they had to let their sick child go with the paramedics and follow the ambulance in a car with their other child.

A former paramedic has provided parents with a list of tips on what they should do while they wait for an ambulance during an emergency

Others were grateful for the list of tips and advice.

‘I love this, such good advice!’ a woman said.

A second wrote, ‘This is brilliant, you are saving lives every day with your business.’ 

‘I had a 12 minute wait and it felt like forever at the time,’ a mum shared. ‘Thank you for the tips.’