Hi Jill - Unfortunately, your scenario is the same for a lot of us. I did find out that in my area, we MUST request the Advanced Life Support unit when calling 911, as they are the only EMT’s in our area that are allowed to give an injection. Even then, it would only be allowed AFTER they placed a call to the ER for approval. I had to contact the Chief of Emergency Services at our local ER to have him made aware of our situation and they added my sons name to a list for immediate approval of the Solu-cortef injection. However, our endo did point out that since we are so close to our hospital that it would probably be in the best interest of my son to just get him to the ER rather than wait for the ALS medics to call and get approval, figure out how to use the act-o-vial etc. Our hospital is just approx 10 min from my house and 7 min from the school. Our endos also assured us that we would most likely have enough time, even in the even of serious injury. They have always given us a guideline time of approx. 30 min also. So I am pretty confident under my circumstances. However, I am sure that there are parents out there (like Roberta who sadly lost her child due to an adrenal crisis) who feel that 30 min is not enough time. Having no medical background, I really don’t have the slightest clue as to whether the 30 min "window of opportunity" is right or not. I am taking our endo’s word for it. I hope I never have to find out. It is a tricky situation with the ambulance and medics. This subject is brought up quite frequently, so I know it is acknowledged by many. Check with your local ambulance corp about the ALS unit and your local ER for immediate approvals if possible. Hope this helps.

ValerieD