Calling for help
When something scary happens, the most helpful first job is to get helpers on the way. You call the emergency number, tell them where you are, and listen to what they say.
| Place | Emergency number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 911 | Heart & Stroke uses 9-1-1 in its guidance |
| United States | 911 | Widely used national emergency number |
| Philippines | 911 | The government announced a unified 911 system launched in September 2025, replacing more than 30 local emergency numbers; it is described as free and open 24/7. The Philippine Red Cross also lists its own hotline, 143 |
- Heart & Stroke says that if you are alone, you can use your phone on speaker mode to call 9-1-1, so the call taker can guide you while you help.
- What to say (as call takers commonly ask): where you are (address or landmarks), what happened, how many people need help, and your phone number. Answer their questions and do not hang up until they tell you to.
- For cardiac arrest, Heart & Stroke says to phone 9-1-1 and shout for an AED.
- Check the number for any other country you visit before you travel. Numbers for each country are in In your country below.
- For emergencies call 9-1-1 (police, fire, ambulance).
- Mental-health crisis: call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline. Free, 24/7, in English and French.
- Source: RCMP online reporting page: signaler.grc.ca/pei/en
- Source: Canada.ca, 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2023/11/9-8-8-suicide-crisis-helpl
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance): 911.
- Mental health crisis: call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, 24/7.
- Source: 988 Lifeline: 988lifeline.org/
- Source: NHTSA National 911 Program: www.911.gov/
- 911 is the nationwide emergency hotline (Executive Order 56, 2018); calls are free.
- NCMH Crisis Hotline 1553 (National Center for Mental Health) is open 24/7.
- Source: The Philippine Star, 1 June 2018: philstar.com/headlines/2018/06/01/1820699/911-designated-nationwide-em
- Source: Daily Tribune, 27 Dec 2025, quoting the NCMH: tribune.net.ph/2025/12/27/anxiety-depression-top-reasons-for-calls-to-
- Police 110, fire 119, ambulance 120.
- Mental-health crisis: 12356, the nationwide psychological assistance hotline, run by local health departments.
- Source: National Health Commission notice on 12356: www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202412/content_6994470.htm
- Police emergency: 110. Fire and ambulance: 119. If unsure whether to call an ambulance, some areas offer #7119.
- Source: FDMA, Making the Most of the Ambulance Service (119, #7119): www.fdma.go.jp/publication/portal/items/portal002_english.pdf
- Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Help hotline information (110): www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/finding_services/
- 112 (police) and 119 (fire and ambulance) are the emergency numbers.
- 109 is the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 24-hour suicide prevention hotline; the call is free.
- Source: Korea Herald, 31 May 2026: www.koreaherald.com/article/10759801
- Make sure you are safe (see lesson 2).
- Dial your emergency number (911 in Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines; see In your country above for others).
- Put the phone on speaker so your hands are free.
- Say where you are and what happened.
- Say how many people need help and what you can see.
- Follow the call taker's instructions and stay on the line until they say to hang up.
- Check: send someone to meet the ambulance at the door or road, if possible.
Read the video script
[Host] "In an emergency, call first. In Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines, the number is nine-one-one."
[Text on screen: Speaker mode] "Put the phone on speaker so you can help while you talk."
[Text on screen: Where and what] "Say where you are, what happened, and how many people need help."
[Host] "Stay on the line until the call taker says you can hang up. This course is education only and not a certification."
Write your home, school or workplace address as you would say it to a call taker, and practise saying it aloud. Save emergency numbers for places you travel to.
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I'm learning "First Aid and Emergency Basics (education only; get certified)" on The Future Market. Lesson 1: "Calling for help". What the lesson teaches: - Place - Emergency number - Notes - Canada - 911 - Heart & Stroke uses 9-1-1 in its guidance - United States - 911 - Widely used national emergency number - Philippines - 911 - The government announced a unified 911 system launched in September 2025, replacing more than 30 local emergency numbers; it is described as free and open 24/7. The Philippine Red Cross also lists its own hotline, 143 - Heart & Stroke says that if you are alone, you can use your phone on speaker mode to call 9-1-1, so the call taker can guide you while you help. - What to say (as call takers commonly ask): where you are (address or landmarks), what happened, how many people need help, and your phone number. Answer their questions and do not hang up until they tell you to. - For cardiac arrest, Heart & Stroke says to phone 9-1-1 and shout for an AED. The exercise I'm working on: Write your home, school or workplace address as you would say it to a call taker, and practise saying it aloud. Save emergency numbers for places you travel to. I'm stuck. Please: 1. Explain the main idea in plain, simple words with one everyday example. 2. Walk me through the exercise one small step at a time. Ask me what I've done so far before giving the next step. 3. Don't just give me the final answer. Help me do it myself, and check my work when I share it. 4. This is for learning only. Remind me to check with a licensed professional before I make a real decision about my own money, health or legal situation.
I'm a parent helping my child (about 8 years old) with a lesson called "Calling for help" from the course "First Aid and Emergency Basics (education only; get certified)". Here's what the lesson says: When something scary happens, the most helpful first job is to get helpers on the way. You call the emergency number, tell them where you are, and listen to what they say. The activity: Write your home, school or workplace address as you would say it to a call taker, and practise saying it aloud. Save emergency numbers for places you travel to. Please explain this so an 8-year-old understands: short sentences, a fun everyday example, and no hard words. Then give me 3 simple questions I can ask my child to check they understood, and a way to do the activity together, one tiny step at a time. Keep it general and educational. This is not advice for a real situation.
Sources
- Heart & Stroke, Learn about CPR and AEDs: www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/learn-cpr
- Heart & Stroke, What you should know about cardiac arrest: www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/what-you-should-know-about-cardiac-arre
- Philippine Information Agency, Unified 911: pia.gov.ph/news/one-number-for-all-emergencies-unified-911-to-launch-n
- Philippine Red Cross, Trainings and hotline: redcross.org.ph/trainings/
Check the scene is safe
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Cardiac arrest, hands-only CPR and AEDs
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Choking basics
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Bleeding control
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Sports injuries, concussion and heat
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An emergency action plan for coaches and events
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Final project
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Quiz
Does reading this course certify you in first aid or CPR?
No. Take a certified course.
Why should you find out your local emergency number before you need it?
It differs by country, so you should know yours.
Why should you check the scene before helping?
To avoid becoming a second person who needs help.
What is the order for cardiac arrest?
Call your local emergency number and shout for an AED, start CPR, and use an AED as soon as one is available.
About how fast should you push on the chest in CPR?
About 100 to 120 beats per minute.
Is it safe for a bystander to use an AED?
Yes, it only shocks a heart that needs one.
What two actions repeat for severe choking in an adult?
Up to five back blows, then five abdominal thrusts.
What is the first step for severe bleeding?
Apply direct pressure and call your local emergency number.
What is the rule in all suspected concussions?
Stop the activity right away and get assessed by a medical doctor.
Name two concussion red flags that need an ambulance.
For example severe or worsening headache, seizure, loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, double vision.
Name two parts of an emergency action plan.
For example who calls the emergency number, the address, AED location, trained people, contacts.
Name one provider of certified first aid courses.
Your national Red Cross or another recognised provider in your country, such as St. John Ambulance.
Final exam
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Certificate
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.