TLDR: In the event of an emergency at home, the order of gestures is more important than the number: assess consciousness and breathing, call the right number, then secure without improvising.
Two questions are all it takes to assess severity in 30 seconds
When someone close to you goes wrong, panic makes you want to do everything at once. Start with two simple checks, in this order:
Is she conscious? Speak loudly, ask a simple question («open your eyes», «squeeze my hand»). A person who doesn't respond or responds incoherently is in an emergency situation, no matter what.
Is she breathing normally? Watch your chest rise and listen to your breathing. Breathing that is absent, very rapid, very noisy or interspersed with long pauses is a major warning sign.
If either of these two responses is abnormal, don't assess anything else: go straight to calling 14 or 16. If the person is conscious and breathing well, you have time to detail the symptoms over the phone and choose the right caller.
The right number depends on what you've just observed
Call 14 (Protection civile) or 16 (SAMU, Service d'aide médicale urgente) immediately before: loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, intense or oppressive chest pain, bleeding that won't stop, convulsions, a fall that makes it impossible to get up, or any sign of stroke - asymmetrical face, arm that won't hold, slurred speech. Two brief readings can prepare you for these situations: the article on Signs of stroke and the FAST method and the one that explains how distinguishing a heart attack from simple pain.
Appelez un home doctor disponible 24h/24 for serious but stable situations: high fever that won't go away, severe vomiting or diarrhea, unusual pain in an elderly patient, decompensation of a known chronic illness, wound to be assessed. The doctor examines the patient on the spot - with an ECG (electrocardiogram) if necessary - treats the patient, or decides to transfer the patient. The procedures that can be carried out at home, and their rates (3,500 to 4,000 DA for a daytime consultation in Algiers, with a surcharge at night), are detailed in the 2026 guide to homecare in Algiers.
When in doubt, always cut to the chase: call 16 and describe. That's what the regulator is there for, and no professional will reproach you for calling «for nothing».
While waiting for help, a few simple gestures can make all the difference
You don't have to be a first-aider to be useful. The first-aid recommendations set out in the’World Health Organization and taught by the Protection Civile, can be summed up in a few simple gestures:
— Unconscious person breathing Lay her on her side (lateral safety position), head slightly back, and monitor her breathing continuously.
— Difficulty breathing Leave the person in a seated or semi-seated position, loosen clothing and ventilate the room.
— Chest pain Absolute rest, half-sitting position, no effort - not even walking to the car.
— Heavy bleeding Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth, without letting go, until help arrives.
— Convulsions Do not hold the person, remove dangerous objects, protect the head with a cushion and note the start time.
In any case: stay on the line with the regulator, open the front door, turn on the lights and send someone downstairs to wait for help.
What not to do is often more costly than doing nothing at all
Some well-intentioned reflexes make the situation worse. To remember:
— Do not move a person who has fallen violently or who is unconscious, unless there is an immediate danger (fire, gas leak): trauma to the back or neck may be aggravated by handling.
— Do not give food or drink, If consciousness is impaired, there's a risk of suffocation, and emergency anesthesia requires an empty stomach.
— Do not give any medication on your own initiative - no painkillers, blood pressure tablets or aspirin - without the advice of the dispatcher or a doctor: some seemingly innocuous gestures can seriously complicate care.
— Don't drive to the emergency room with a person in distress: if their condition worsens en route, there's nothing you can do. The ambulance brings the hospital to the patient, not the other way around.
— Never hang up first The regulator may have instructions to give you until the team arrives.
An «information kit» prepared in advance saves vital minutes
On the big day, no one remembers the exact dosage of a relative's medication. Prepare as of now, in a visible pocket (on the fridge, in the hallway), for each fragile person in the household:
- the list of current treatments with dosages, and latest prescriptions; ;
- the major history diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, allergies, operations ;
- the contact details the attending physician and the home care facility; ;
- the identity card or family record book and the CNAS (Caisse nationale des assurances sociales) card; ;
- Useful numbers written in large letters: 14, 16, and the home doctor's number.
For families in the diaspora, this file can be kept up to date by the structure that follows the parent: this is one of the advantages of coordinated follow-up like MaghAssist's «Magh Family» packages, which have provided 24-hour medical care in Algiers since 2011, with integrated doctors and ambulances.
FAQ : Medical emergencies at home
What's the first number to call in an emergency in Algiers?
Call 14 (Protection Civile) or 16 (SAMU) as soon as there is any sign of seriousness: loss of consciousness, abnormal breathing, chest pain, bleeding, signs of stroke. Both numbers operate 24 hours a day, and call-outs are free of charge.
When is it better to have a doctor come to your home than to call 16?
When the person is conscious, breathing normally and the situation, although serious, is stable: fever, infection, moderate pain, early decompensation of a chronic illness. If in doubt, first call 16.
Should I give aspirin if I suspect a heart attack?
Not on your own initiative. Describe the symptoms to the dispatcher on 16, who will indicate what action to take, if any, depending on the situation and the patient's history.
How can we help rescue services arrive more quickly?
Give a precise address with landmarks, the floor and the presence of an elevator, leave your phone free, and post someone on the street to guide the team.
What to put in an elderly person's information kit?
List of treatments with dosages, recent prescriptions, history and allergies, contact details of the attending physician, identity documents and CNAS card, all in a folder known to the whole family.
Would you like a doctor to assess a loved one at home in Algiers, day or night? The MaghAssist team provides home medical consultation and can be reached 24 hours a day on +213 550 45 33 99, including on WhatsApp.
General information; not a substitute for medical advice.
