What is the difference between 999 and 112?
Since first writing this blog the information on emergency numbers has been clarified and I have updated the information accordingly.
In the UK 112 works the same as 999 and there is no difference in the locator system or the searching of networks. An important thing to note is that if you have no network coverage and your phone has accessed another network the emergency services will not be able to ring you back. Therefore if you have rung Mountain Rescue ring 999 or 112 again a few minutes later in case they needed to contact you. You might also like to read the information posted here http://www.mountainsafety.co.uk/EP-999-or-112-Which-is-Best-aspx
What happens when you call 999?
You might like to read this blog as it details what happens when you call the emergency services
Being ready for your ambulance
An important thing to be aware of too is how to be ready for your help to arrive which is detailed in this blog.
Getting help
I always include in my teaching a discussion on how to access emergency services. A simple question you might think ~ well I have noticed in recent months that there is more and more confusion. There is now an array of numbers for emergency and non-emergency help in the UK. My aim is to clarify some of the issues*.
In the UK we are familiar with 999 as our emergency phone number to access all the emergency services. In 2003 legislation was put in place across Europe for a single European emergency number. This number works alongside individual country’s numbers.
What happens when you call 112?
When you call 112 you access the emergency services in the same way as 999.
112 will work across Europe but not in every country world-wide so do always check when travelling how to access the emergency services*.
What happens when you call 111?
You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. When you phone 111 your call is handled by a health adviser who can advise on what treatment you need and how to access it. They are able to advise on the local service that would best meet your needs. If the advisers think you need an ambulance they can arrange one for you. 111 is a 24/7 service but is not yet UK wide so please check on http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS-111.aspx to check availability in your area. Calls to this number are free**.
What happens when you call 101?
101 is for non-emergency calls to your local police force. You can use this number to report incidents to your local police force that don’t require an emergency response. Please see http://www.police.uk/101 for more detail. Please note there is a 15p charge for these calls**.
Contacting the Fire Service
The Fire Service do not have a non-emergency number. They no longer deal with cats in trees (you need the RSPCA for that one, or a tin of tuna at the bottom of the tree!) so the view of my local fire service was that “if you need us you need 999!”.
I hope you have found this information useful and that it clarifies what each number is for. Please comment if you have experience of using 112 I’d be pleased to hear from you.
*Please note this information relates to the UK. If you live, or are travelling, outside of the UK please ensure you know how to access emergency assistance.
**Correct at time of publication (March 2013).
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As a newly qualified first aid trainer myself I have encountered this question from candidates on a number of occasions. I found this blog really helpful and the video is definitely something I will be including in my presentations from now on. Thank you very much!!
Hi Adam
I am also a first aid trainer……how do you download the video to your laptop from youtube?
Thanks!!
Hi Debbie
I’m glad you found the content useful.
I recently found out that if you think you need Mountain Rescue or any of the other Emergency Services please say as they won’t automatically be dispatched to you and this could delay your specialist help.
I recently attended a speed awareness course & one of the trainers said that dialling 112, whilst a valid emergency number in the UK, does not connect to the same place as 999. Is this correct?
Hi Alan
My understanding is that 112 connects you to an emergency operator who can then re-direct your call to the emergency service you need. Whether that connects you to exactly the same place I can’t be sure but you receive the same service.
I hope that helps.
kind regards
Helen
Hi all, 112 is the same as 999. 112 is the Emergency number used in Europe and is allowed in this country for compatibility.
Excellent info on emergency 112 number often mobile are locked and not able to access them
Hi Dawn
Thank you, glad you found my blog useful. Often on locked phones at the bottom of the screen there will be the ability to make an emergency call without needing to unlock the phone.
I hope that helps, if you have any other questions please get in touch.
kind regards
Helen
I was told in today’s first aid course that 112 is the best number if ringing from a mobile (especially if you can’t be specific about exactly where you are) for instance in a forest, because 112 can use your phone’s g.p.s to find you within 1 metre. Is this correct?
Hi Claire,
That’s my understanding too; that if you’re away from a building 112 may be easier to track. I’ve also been told recently that 999 is catching up and there may be no difference now. I need to check this though so I would recommend using 112 if you remember but 999 is so ingrained don’t worry if in that situation you forget.
If I can be of anymore help please get in touch.
kind regards
Helen
That’s incorrect, I work in a control for a UK police force and there is no difference between 999 and 112. Only difference being the way BT present the call to the operative. Regarding GPS both work the same, its worked off the closest telephone tower and gives us easting and northings. Once the easting/northings are input we are given an elipse which is usually large circle of your rough location. Hope this helps.
Hi John,
Thank you for your comment. You’ll see that in my first paragraph I have ammended this blog and drawn attention to the fact that the two numbers operate in the same way but thank you for using your direct experience to make it clear.
Kind regards
Helen
As a fellow First Aid Instructor i Could use some guidance on this subject. I am already aware of the 112 facility on mobile phones and the 999/112 dual system in operation in the UK. I have also been informed, by what I thought was a reliable source, that the 999/112 system also operates throughout Europe. Can anyone confirm this for me please?
Peter
Hi Peter
Yes this is the European number and works is some other countries across the world. You may this link useful as it has some more information. http://www.eena.org/pages/useful-information#.VrD0aMujHG8
If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.
kind regards
Helen
Thanks Helen but I feel I may have worded my question incorrectly. What I was asking was – do the rest of Europe operate the 112/999 dual system? In this European world of “free” travel amongst European countries where we are allowed to live and work anywhere within the community, it seems a little unfair that only the UK has to operate a dual system. It would be so much better if the rest did as well. Then GB tourists could dial 999 whilst on holiday in Europe without panicking about which number to use, assuming they are aware of 112.
Hi Peter
When the European Union wanted a single number the UK decided to take on 112 but not get rid of 999 as it’s so ingrained in our culture. I’m afraid I don’t know if any other countries kept their original number too. 999, I believe, will also work in other countries if they were part of the British Empire. I usually recommend to travellers to check beforehand what numbers they will need but if ever they are stuck then try 112 if there’s no way of finding out whilst also trying to access help.
I hope that helps clarify.
kind regards
Helen
I am also a First Aid Trainer and it seems that we are all getting the same feedback from our clients. As far as I can see, there is no difference between the two numbers and it still frustrates me that people still tell me that this or that person told me that there is! If you believe that 112 has magical properties then use it! The confusion might have come from the fact that there is a EU Directive on emergency calls that is possibly Directive 112 so feel free to Google away. One of the better (Internet!)sources I have read is
http://chandlersfordtoday.co.uk/emergency/
but there will always be someone who knows better! It is certainly true that a mobile will try to find a signal irrespective of the User’s particular network contract. Also, it is worth pointing out that a SMS service exists for 999 calls and that can often get through when a voice call will not.Yet the phone must be registered in advance for this service.
http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/
Hi Peter, thank you for your comment and the link you shared. In it they say that 112 works across the world, 112 is an EU number. Whilst it may work in some other countries it’s worth checking prior to travelling the numbers for your destination country.
Kind regards
Helen
Very useful information, but the Fire Service do still deal with cats in trees. Many Fire Services have specialist animal rescue teams to deal with animals much in the same way as they would with humans. This may be rescuing livestock from transport vehicles after an RTA, from bogs, ditches, wells and swimming pools and from trees! Animals can be highly unpredictable when stressed, causing a danger to any handler or member of the public, hence the need for specialists. Unfortunately many people will try to rescue an animal, putting themselves and others at risk in the process.
I believe Hampshire are the UK leaders on this field:
https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/about-us/what-we-do/animal-rescue/
Hi David, It’s great that you rescue animals, when I rang my local service they told me they don’t rescue cats anymore and to ring the RSPCA. Thankfully a local vet came to the rescue. Thank you for your comments, I’m glad you found the information useful.
Kind regards
Helen
Is it true that your location can be found if you call 112 and not from pop?
Hi, 112 and 999 work in the same way and both can be used to try and identify your location
I was told by a first aid trainer that if you phone 112 the person who answers can pin point you within a 3 meter radius where calling 999 they can’t
I’ve taught the kids 112 as they may not be in a position to give an exact location .. Is this info correct ?
Hi, 112 and 999 work exactly the same, so I would teach them what is most familiar which is likely to be 999