Calling 112: what to say

Home › Courses › Accidents and first aid

Calling 112 after an accident: what information to give, in what order, and the mistakes that waste precious time.

Coverage, Calling 112: what to say

Lesson objectives

Master the essential information to communicate to 112 during an emergency call Precisely locate the scene of the accident to facilitate emergency response Correctly assess and describe the situation (number of injured persons, nature of the accident)

The emergency number: 112

In case of an accident with injured persons, you must call 112 , the single European emergency number. This number allows you to reach ambulance services, firefighters and police simultaneously. It is the only number to remember in an emergency situation.

Number 112

Single European emergency number allowing you to reach ambulance, firefighters and police simultaneously in case of an accident with injured persons.

The three priority pieces of information to communicate

When you call 112, you must assess the situation before speaking. Emergency services need precise information in a logical order to intervene effectively. Here is what you must absolutely communicate:

1. Precise location of the accident

The exact location is the absolute priority. Emergency services can only intervene if they know where to go. Be as precise as possible:

On an ordinary road or a motorway: give the street name, street number, district or municipality On a motorway: indicate the motorway number, the exact kilometre marker, and the direction of travel (towards Brussels, towards the coast, etc.) Landmarks: if you don't know the exact address, give visible landmarks (crossroads, shop, school, roundabout) Proximity to a tunnel: report if the accident is in a tunnel or nearby

Look around you before calling: street signs, house numbers, shop names, kilometre markers. The more precise you are, the faster emergency services will arrive.

Location on motorway with kilometre marker

2. Number and condition of injured persons

Emergency services need to know how many people are injured and how serious their injuries are. This determines the number of ambulances and the type of intervention required.

Exact number of injured: say how many people are affected Severity: are they conscious? Are they breathing? Is there blood? Are there visible serious injuries? People trapped: report if anyone is stuck in a vehicle No injured: specify this too, it changes the type of intervention

Example of a call with injured persons

"Hello, I'm calling about an accident on Peace Street in Liège. There are two cars involved . Three people are injured : two conscious but in pain, one person unconscious. One person is trapped in the first vehicle."

3. Nature and context of the accident

Briefly describe what happened and any potential risks. This helps emergency services prepare their intervention.

Type of accident: collision between two cars, car versus pedestrian, motorcyclist, truck, etc. Number of vehicles involved Particular risks: fire, smoke, fuel leak, hazardous cargo, unstable vehicle Traffic conditions: traffic jam, smooth traffic, wet road

Example of a call with context

"It's an accident between two cars on motorway A3 at km 45 , direction Brussels. No fire , but a visible fuel leak . Two injured , both conscious."

Accident scene with risk assessment

Before calling: assess the situation

Before dialling 112, take a few seconds to observe and assess. This will allow you to provide clear and useful information.

Where are we? Locate yourself precisely Are there one or more injured, minor or serious? Observe the condition of people Are there people trapped in a vehicle? Check if anyone cannot get out Is there a fire or risk of fire? Look for fire, smoke, leaks

Stay calm and speak clearly. The 112 operators are trained to guide you. If you don't know how to answer a question, say so. Don't hang up until the operator asks you to, they may need additional clarification.

After the call: waiting for emergency services

Once the call is made, you have already done the essential. Remember that you must first secure the scene (triangle, vest, hazard lights), this is the first step of the P.A.S. protocol. The call to 112 is the second step.

P.A.S.: a mnemonic device

Protect, Alert, Rescue. It is a memory aid that gives the correct order of action, secure first, so as not to add an accident to the accident. The legal obligations , on the other hand, are set out in article 52 of the code: provide assistance if necessary, present your identity card, remain at the scene, report the accident.

Stay near the accident to welcome emergency services and provide them with additional information if necessary. Move away from the road and stay safe.

Special case: accident in a tunnel

If the accident occurs in a tunnel, preferably use the tunnel emergency telephone to call emergency services. If there is no emergency telephone or it is not working, use your mobile phone if you have network coverage (112).

Key points to remember

Number to call: 112 in case of accident with injured persons Absolute priority: communicate the exact location (street, number, km marker on motorway, landmarks) Second information: number and condition of injured persons (conscious, unconscious, trapped) Third information: nature of accident and risks (fire, smoke, leak) Before calling: quickly assess the situation (where, how many injured, what risks) After the call: secure the area and wait for emergency services in complete safety Stay calm: speak clearly and only hang up if the operator asks you to

What now?

First do the quiz of this lesson to validate your knowledge, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . You have completed this module. Next module: First aid .

BelgianLicenses

You know the theory; now you need to practice. The simulator is your best ally.