Most Australians would hold off calling an ambulance for chest pains, a box jellyfish sting, snake bite or paracetamol overdose, but one in five would dial 000 for a woman in early labour, a survey suggests. 

More than one-third of those in the study failed to recognise that a 77-year-old man with signs of a stroke needed an ambulance, and only 6% thought a child with meningitis symptoms warranted an emergency call.

Researchers said the findings revealed gaps in Australians’ knowledge in identifying medical emergencies and when it was appropriate to dial triple zero. 

“The results of this research suggest that the typical lay person could likely benefit from further education clarifying what medical circumstances truly classify as a medical emergency,” said the researchers from the Edith Cowan University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, Perth.