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Dumbest reasons Victorians are calling triple-0
Calling triple-0 should be reserved for emergencies, but some Victorians are dialling the number for trivial and often absurd reasons. 
These are some of the worst recent examples.
A worried caller dialled triple-0 and sought assistance from Ambulance Victoria as they hid under trees in fear of being swooped by an overly aggressive magpie.
A patient withdrawing from alcohol — who was trying to relax by listening to music — called paramedics because they couldn’t work their Spotify playlist.
A panicked mother recently requested an ambulance thinking their child had cyanosis around the lips, before realising it was a blueberry stain.
A person who almost got bitten by a cat demanded a full lights and sirens response from paramedics overs fears the animal had rabies.
Someone called an ambulance seeking urgent medical attention after deliberately pricking their finger with an acupuncture needle to “test if it was sharp”.
The unnecessary calls are clogging an already-strained system. To relieve the pressure, Ambulance Victoria has launched a campaign pleading with the public to only dial triple-0 in an emergency.
About one in five calls do not need an immediate response, with more than 45,000 callers between October and December last year not requiring an ambulance at all.
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An immediate life-threatening emergency that requires an ambulance may include:
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Chest pain or tightness
Difficulty breathing
Serious accidents
Extreme pain
Large burns
Severe bleeding
When you should call an ambulance
If it is non life-threatening, GPs and pharmacists can provide timely non urgent support. Nurse-On-Call (1300 60 60 24) is also a reliable service that offers free medical advice 24 hours a day.
Words: Mitch ClarkeProducer: Andrew Piva

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/web-stories/free/herald-sun/the-dumb-reasons-victorians-call-triple-0