Dial Hell in an Emergency
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One of the things that we teach the girls in Guides is first aid. It’s not a surprising thing, as when you picture Guides and Scouts you think of camping and the outdoors - activities which can, and do, result in injury.
As part of our ‘lesson’ last night, we discussed the 111 procedure. For those of you outside of New Zealand, the number to call in an emergency is 111, and while you can ring 911 and the like (I believe), 111 is the official number.
It was surprising to learn, then, that they had never been taught this is in school. These are twelve year old girls, almost teenagers, and they knew very little about what you do when you call 111. It seems that they are just informed that they call 111, and that makes everything all better. The incident with my grandmother was my first experience at calling 111 (well, talking to the operator, as Mum called first while I helped Nana breathe and put her in the recovery position), and with that fresh in my mind, it made for an interesting 111 talk with the girls.
When I asked the girls afterwards what they had learned, a number of them said “everything”. They told me that they did not learn this stuff in school, and they don’t really do much emergency stuff beyond fire drills nowadays. The only thing they really knew was that you call 111; they didn’t know what you needed to say, that you needed to keep on the line, and all the things you can get other people to do.
It’s quite sad, really. It’s a small number of girls and boys in Guides and Scouts these days, and if they’re only being taught this stuff by parents or at groups like us, how many are missing out?
Meanwhile, I think I need to really dial Hell in an emergency. I’m hungry.
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Lol at that last bit
I vaguely remember being taught what to do when calling 911, but they always focus on CPR and so on. They (whoever they are) should definitely include knowledge of what happens with a 911 call.
The number’s 111 in New Ziggy? Interesting… Over here it’s 999 and I’ve never had to call it. *eep*
Oh yum, Hell pizza. Do you know how shocked I am to learn that the Pizza Huts are going? What a waste of a jingle! I am sure some people knew their number better than they knew the number to dial in an emergency.
I never knew 111 was a number to call! Learning a new thing each day, I suppose =-)
@Kay: Most definitely.
@Rachael: Hope you never do have to call it.
@Emily: Pizza Hutt’s going? What?! Does this mean more Hell Pizza though? Also, did you know Hell Pizza is now in the UK?
@Crissy: It changes around the world, but I believe our system is set up so you can dial 911 and stuff and get through. Too many kids thinking it was 911 after watching too much America cop shows and 911 Emergency.
*echoes* Pizza Hutt’s going?
The only other pizza place with similarly priced pizzas is Dominos… and their seafood pizzas suck! What am I going to do?! *throws self into pile on floor*
The actual Pizza Hut restaurants are going, but I didn’t read the part that said the takeaway service is going to continue. I guess the jingle lives to see another day.
See here: NZ Herald story. I hope this doesn’t come out all funny in your comments.