How Many People Here Know CPR?

I know the basics thanks to my husband.

At his place of work they have short seminars and refreshers every so often, so that employees could possibly save someone's life in an emergency situation.

I think learning the proper way to do the heimlich maneuver, is a good thing, as is recognizing basic signs that a person is in distress, i.e., chocking, etc.

Also how to properly bandage an open wound.
 
I remember taking the course for a job 45 years ago, but I haven't reviewed it & I'm not really interested.
I wouldn't try it anyway; I wouldn't risk being sued if it didn't work. Even if the law protected me, I'd rather not assume the liability; a defense might be very expensive.
Today, you have to think of the possibilities. If the person dies through no fault of your own, you may be charged with manslaughter. Even if you're not convicted, the legal fees may bankrupt you. And the family may try for a big payday by suing you for causing his/her death - even bigger legal fees. And in civil court, the burden of proof for the family is much smaller than in criminal court. Their attorney will stress the fact that "You're not a medical professional, so you shouldn't have performed any emergency treatment."
 
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Unfortunately in New York City due to the complicated interagency protocol from the PSAP to EMD to actual EMS hands on the patient can be as long as 11 minutes, even longer depending on the Boro, the day of the week, time of day not to mention the exact location of the patient. There is no particular cog in the FDNY/EMS wheel that one can blame it on though, it's just the nature of the profession. With FDNY/EMS handling 1.4 million calls annually I know they are doing the best they can with what's provided to them. They are very fine people who not only perform a thankless job but an exemplary job without complaint. I commend them all.
 
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Some states have law regarding failure to render aid. So if you have the opportunity to help but do nothing you may be arrested. It seems to me this is a very sticky law. Let's say you try CPR from memory of a website you saw and the person dies are you an accomplice in their death? If you stand there and refuse to help for fear of being sued or arrested are you an accomplice in their death?
 
Know CPR???? I was an instructor for years....
I have had several successful resuscitations over the years.
As far as being sued, If you call 911 and follow their instructions your good.
If you act on your own, there is the "Good Samaritan's " law that covers you as long as you dont
exceed your level of training.... like performing a tractotomy on a choking person like seen on TV.
Not helping..... for this you must have a DUTY TO ACT for them to be able to sue you....
As a Paramedic in NC there is no law that states I MUST help out in any situation I come across.
In fact... If I do offer help, I can only function as a Basic EMT...
 
fmdog44 said:
Some states have law regarding failure to render aid. So if you have the opportunity to help but do nothing you may be arrested. It seems to me this is a very sticky law. Let's say you try CPR from memory of a website you saw and the person dies are you an accomplice in their death? If you stand there and refuse to help for fear of being sued or arrested are you an accomplice in their death?
Click to expand...
The law in those states may consider calling 911 to be rendering aid, rather than physically providing aid.
 

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