Don't Let Pride Cost You a Life
On rural Texas properties, calling 911 is a bigger decision than in town. Response times are longer, and ranchers often handle situations themselves. But that independence can turn dangerous when it leads to delayed calls for help that was genuinely needed.
Knowing when to call 911 — and how to make that call count — helps you get help when you truly need it while staying self-reliant for situations you can handle.
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The Decision to Call
When to Always Call 911
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe chest pain
- Stroke symptoms (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
- Unconsciousness
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Drug overdose or poisoning
- Drowning or near-drowning
- Suspected spinal injuries
- Severe burns
- Major fractures (femur, pelvis, multiple fractures)
- Crush injuries with entrapment
- Electrical shock
- Deep wounds with heavy bleeding
- Eye injuries from chemicals or penetrating objects
- Active violence or threat
- Vehicle accidents with injuries
- Missing person
- Suspected heart attack
- Diabetic emergency
- Seizures in someone without known seizure disorder
When to Consider Calling 911
- Injuries that seem like they might get worse
- Medical symptoms that concern you
- Situations developing beyond your ability to manage
When You Might Handle It Yourself
- Minor burns
- Sprains you can immobilize
- Minor animal-related injuries you can treat
- You have a driver (never drive yourself with significant injury)
- Travel time is comparable to or less than EMS response
- Injury won't worsen during transport
Making an Effective 911 Call
Before the Emergency
- GPS coordinates of key locations
- How to describe your location
- Alternative descriptions and landmarks
- Gate codes and access information
- Know where cell signal is strongest
- Have backup communication options
What to Expect When You Call
- Ask the location of the emergency
- Ask what type of emergency
- Ask questions about the situation
- Provide instructions while help is dispatched
- Keep you on the line as needed
Information to Provide
- GPS coordinates if available
- Landmarks and directions
- Where on the property (be specific)
- How to access (gates, codes, which entrance)
- When it happened
- How many people involved
- Current condition
- What's wrong (symptoms, injuries)
- Level of consciousness
- Breathing status
- Known medical conditions, allergies, medications
- Chemical involvement
- Fire
- Downed power lines
- Aggressive animals
Tips for an Effective Call
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Rural-Specific Challenges
Address and Location Issues
- Provide GPS coordinates
- Give distances and directions from known landmarks
- Describe the route from the nearest major road
- Have someone meet responders at your entrance
Access Problems
- Consider leaving gates open when expecting emergency response
- Have someone ready to open gates
- Alert dispatch to road conditions or special access needs
- Note if regular vehicle can access or if 4WD is needed
Communication Challenges
- Keep landline if available
- Consider satellite communication for remote areas
- Use two-way radios for on-property communication
- Have someone go to known signal area if needed
Response Time Realities
- Begin first aid immediately — you have time to make a difference
- Provide clear location to minimize search time
- Be prepared to continue care for extended period
- Consider air ambulance for life-threatening emergencies in very remote areas
What Happens After You Call
Dispatch Process
- Call taker records information and enters into computer-aided dispatch
- Appropriate units are dispatched (fire, EMS, law enforcement)
- Units respond to your location based on information provided
- Updates are sent to responding units as you provide more information
While Waiting
- Clear a path to the patient
- Secure animals that might interfere
- Gather patient information (medications, medical history)
- With flashlight or vehicle lights at night
- Ready to guide them to exact location
When Responders Arrive
- What first aid you've provided
- Patient's medical history if known
- Any hazards
Special Situations
If You Can't Speak
- Many areas accept text to 911 (verify for your area)
- Any information helps dispatchers locate you
Language Barriers
- Process for handling non-English calls
- If needed, say your language name ("Spanish," "Vietnamese")
Calling from Cell Phone
- Be prepared to give detailed location information
- Stay on the line so signal can potentially be triangulated
Calling from Remote Areas
- Try different carrier if multiple phones available
- Send someone to area with known signal
- Use satellite communicator if available
- Consider that text sometimes works when voice doesn't
Non-Emergency Situations
- Examples: suspicious activity report, animal control, welfare check
- Fire department
- Animal control
Teaching Others
Everyone on Your Property Should Know
- How to call 911
- Your address and how to describe location
- Where emergency information is posted
- Basic first aid to provide while waiting
Children
Teach children:
- What 911 is for
- How to call
- What information to give
- When to call (emergencies only)
- Practice with them
Workers and Visitors
Make sure they know:
- Property address
- How to describe location
- Gate codes if needed
- Where first aid supplies are
Common Mistakes
Mistakes That Delay Help
- Not knowing your address
- Not being able to describe location
- Hanging up too soon
- Not providing gate codes
- Not sending someone to meet responders
- Calling too late
Mistakes in the Call
- Talking too fast
- Not answering dispatcher's questions
- Arguing with dispatcher
- Putting phone down and walking away
- Not following instructions
Judgment Errors
- Waiting too long to call
- Trying to drive injured person when EMS is needed
- Underestimating seriousness
- Letting pride override safety
Bottom Line
- When in doubt, call. It's better to call unnecessarily than to delay needed help.
- Location is critical. Know your address, GPS coordinates, and how to describe your property.
- Stay on the line. Don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.
- Follow instructions. Dispatchers can guide you through lifesaving procedures.
- Prepare in advance. Know your information before an emergency happens.
- Send a guide. Have someone meet responders and lead them to the exact location.
- Time matters. Call early, give clear information, and minimize delays.
Resources
- 911.gov: Information about the 911 system
- Your local sheriff's department: Local emergency procedures
- County emergency management: Local resources and information
- American Red Cross: Emergency preparedness training
- CPR for Rural Responders
- Emergency Communication Systems
- Emergency Response Hub
