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ependydad wrote:

ken56 wrote:
I am not a lawyer but I thought there were something like Good Samaritan laws in place for those who may try to help and their efforts are genuine that protect them from lawsuits. That said, doing the right thing should always be the foremost thought rather than being sued.

When I did CPR + first aid certifications, that was how they described the Good Samaritan laws.

I personally agree with the OP- everyone should be CPR + first aid certified.

x2

The most horrific accident I saw last year was on a two lane road with no cell service. A motorcycle crossed the center line and hit an RV. (there was nowhere for the rv to go. No shoulder to swerve onto. This road hairpin turns down a very steep grade.)

As everybody was running toward the scene with whatever first aid stuff they had, I turned around and hightailed it to where I could get a call out to 911. My box of bandages and hand wringing was not going to help the bike riders involved. A lot of the time, the best thing you can really do is to call emergency services and stay out of the way.

ken56 wrote:
I am not a lawyer but I thought there were something like Good Samaritan laws in place for those who may try to help and their efforts are genuine that protect them from lawsuits. That said, doing the right thing should always be the foremost thought rather than being sued.

You are correct, Ken. Good Samaritan laws in most states protect those who act in good faith (at least those of us who are licensed health care providers - I don't know about lay persons) during an emergency. The important things to remember are:

1) Call for EMS and police.

2) At least do no harm.

3) C-spine stability. Never move anyone from the position in which you find them if there is the slightest chance of spinal instability - unless they are in imminent danger from fire or drowning.

4) A, B, C (airway, breathing, circulation). If they are not conscious and talking to you, make sure their airway is not obstructed and that they are breathing. Unless they are in full cardiac arrest, the circulation part consists of controlling any bleeding resulting from trauma - apply pressure to bleeding wounds.

5) Stay with the victim(s) and reassure and comfort them until EMS arrives.

Rob

Old-Biscuit wrote:
PLEASE.......get ACTUAL TRAINING not some UTube or I seen this done on TV

Otherwise...call 911

Always call 911 first (or direct someone to do it AND ensure that they do).

THEN administer first aid.

PLEASE.......get ACTUAL TRAINING not some UTube or I seen this done on TV

Otherwise...call 911

Great advice!

As a NPS volunteer I am required to have Red Cross certification every two years and the park pays for the class. Otherwise I think it is about $25. Not all NPS volunteers have that requirement, I have it because of the particular position I am in.

Yes, Good Samaritan laws protect anyone providing reasonable emergency care.

ken56 wrote:
I am not a lawyer but I thought there were something like Good Samaritan laws in place for those who may try to help and their efforts are genuine that protect them from lawsuits. That said, doing the right thing should always be the foremost thought rather than being sued.

When I did CPR + first aid certifications, that was how they described the Good Samaritan laws.

I personally agree with the OP- everyone should be CPR + first aid certified.

When I was a cop we had to get Red Cross CPR certified every year. For whatever reason, later in my career, the CPR training came to a stop. All you need to know now about CPR is chest compressions as the breathing portion is no longer used for most rescues.

I am not a lawyer but I thought there were something like Good Samaritan laws in place for those who may try to help and their efforts are genuine that protect them from lawsuits. That said, doing the right thing should always be the foremost thought rather than being sued.

Unfortunately, in an accident as you've described, a "laymen's" skill would be of little help. As you said, your assistance would just be in the way.

At best, if you are a "first responder," the best help is to somehow assure the victim that help is coming, keep them calm so they don't injure themselves even more, and perhaps help make a path for those with the equipment and experience who can get them untangled from the confining wreckage.

I agree, knowing basic CPR and life saving techniques is something that every personal should know how to do. In addition, how to rescue someone in water (drowning) is vitally as important.

But there is a limit to what a "laymen" can do, without jeopardising greater injury to the victim, and possible future law suits (which is a really a big concern and probably the biggest reason why folks stand by and do nothing). Too bad we still live in a "sue happy" society, but we do.

Yea, you might save their life with CPR, but if you break a rib, you may get sued and lose your house! Something to think about and some folks are just horrible and ungrateful, even at saving their own lives!

Still, it's a good skill set to learn. In spite of the risks of lawsuits or an act of performing some kind of medical act on someone without being licensed, is still better than doing nothing at all. You may loose your shirt in a law suit, but you still have the peace of a good conscious that you did the RIGHT thing in the heat of the moment. Having peace with yourself is more important than anything materialistic in this entire world.