Ambulance number South Africa – what to use
Which South African emergency route to use when someone needs an ambulance, what information to give and what to do while help is coming.
Call the emergency route that works where you are
South Africa has national emergency routes for ambulance help, including a mobile route and an ambulance service route. Use the emergency directory below for the current numbers, and tell the call-taker your exact location first. Do not delay a life-threatening call while searching for a local number.
What the call-taker needs
- 10177Emergency Medical Services
- 10111South African Police Service
- 112Universal Emergency (mobile)
- 0800 029 999SADAG Mental Health Crisis Line
- 0861 554 911Poisons Information Helpline
- The street address, landmark, suburb and municipality or province.
- What happened and how many people are affected.
- Whether the person is awake, breathing normally or bleeding heavily.
- A callback number and any access or gate instructions.
While the ambulance is on the way
- Follow the call-taker's instructions and keep the line available.
- Do not move someone with a possible spinal injury unless there is immediate danger.
- Apply firm pressure to severe external bleeding when it is safe.
- Send someone to the entrance or road to guide responders if possible.
Use an ambulance for a genuine emergency
Common questions
- What is the ambulance number in South Africa?
- Use the current numbers in the emergency directory on this page. The route depends on whether you are calling from a mobile or another line and where the emergency is happening.
- What should I say when calling an ambulance?
- Give the exact location first, then describe what happened, how many people are affected and whether they are awake, breathing and bleeding. Keep the line open for instructions.
Sources
- Road to Health book: health-service contacts and child health guidanceNational Department of Health, South Africa
- Basic life support and resuscitation guidelinesResuscitation Council of Southern Africa
Last reviewed 26 August 2026.