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When a person’s life is in danger, Shabbat prohibitions are put aside, as the mitzvot of the Torah were given to us to live by, not to die because of them. Therefore, if fulfilling a mitzva would involve putting a life at risk, even a distant risk, we must not fulfill it (4:8 above). Similarly, we must do whatever it takes to try to save a life, even if the chances are slim. If a rescue attempt does fail, God still rewards all who made an effort.
Any illness doctors consider dangerous, and people drop everything to deal with, is considered dangerous enough to violate Shabbat. For example, a person feels sick while doing an important job, or during his child’s wedding. If the medical guidance would be to drop everything and go directly to the hospital, halakhah considers it enough of a danger to justify rushing the person to the hospital even on Shabbat. For this reason, women in labor are taken to the hospital on Shabbat. In contrast, illnesses for which people do not drop everything do not justify violating Shabbat.
If the people in the vicinity of the sick person do not know whether his life is in danger, they should consult a nearby doctor, nurse, or medic. If none of these are nearby, they should call a doctor. If the situation is still unclear, Shabbat is desecrated on behalf of the sick person as a precaution.
