Basic vs. advanced emergency services explained
In the Region of Valencia, ambulances are divided mainly into SVB and SAMU units.
SVB (Soporte Vital Básico) provides basic life support with trained technical staff but no doctor or nurse onboard. These units are used for stable patients or less severe emergencies that do not require advanced medical care during transport.
SAMU (Servicio de Atención Médica de Urgencia), on the other hand, offers advanced life support. Each SAMU unit always includes a doctor and a nurse alongside technical ambulance staff. This ensures immediate, high-level medical attention for critical cases like cardiac arrests or serious accidents.
Unlike in some countries where paramedics handle advanced treatment alone, SAMU units in Valencia always operate under the direct supervision of a physician, making them a key part of the region’s emergency response system.
