I've often wondered why people in dire need of help would not just transport someone to the hospital themselves (if able) as opposed to calling an ambulance. Doesn't it take twice as long for the ambulance, despite the fact that they can perform procedures en-route, and have sirens? Maybe I'm missing something... but at the very least I'd [carefully] run lights myself if I'm desperate.
I am faced with preparing myself should something happen while we're at a sporting event (occasional shortness of breath after kid vax'd).
I'm willing to wager sometimes it is faster if you throw someone in your car and go - if there is no traffic. But what if there is, or not everyone has a car. Also not everyone can handle very high stress situations. I'm just thinking out loud here but my guess is if you arrive in an ambulance, they might see you faster?
Are you worried about out of pocket costs? If so, if it feels safe enough that you can drive, drive. This is America, they will charge you out the ass for every possible service you get, and that includes the ambulance ride for sure.
My niece recently hurt her elbow playing in the yard. My brother in law has 'good' insurance through his job, a large corporation. He did know what to do, put her arm on a cutting board and told her to keep it on there and not move it around. They debated going right to the ER or going to an urgent care in order to save money on out of pocket costs to have it diagnosed because they really weren't sure how bad it was. Could not tell just that she was in pain. They did end up going to the ER - turned out to be a dislocated elbow that needed surgery that night.
After their deductible and copays, this will end up costing them many thousands of dollars. Over 10K for sure, probably way more. After they hit the deductible, which is like 8K, it's a 30% copay. She is still waiting for all the bills to arrive.