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multiple14-Jul-2007ethics/moralityOtter Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifierby votes52657.4%

  Should I offer help, or mind my own business?

In the late seventies I joined the volunteer ambulance and got EMT certified. In the early eighties I had my certification revoked. I carry some first aid gear in the truck since I found an airplane crash a few years ago, but worry about legalities.
In some states there are "Good Samaritan" laws to protect people.
Some states have laws requiring people with medical training to render assistance.
Traveling through many states as I do, I don't know what the laws are everywhere, so I tend to mind my own business.

VotesAnswer
17Do what you were trained to do and take your chances.
12Help, but don't identify yourself, or hang around long.
6Other opinions?
5Don't help anyone.
2Look the other way.
1In my state the law is...

UserComment
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 15-Jul-2007 2:21am  

If your license was revoked, I'm sure your legal responsibility to render assistance would have been rescinded as well. I think almost every place has samaratan protection in emergencies. If a person is in no condition to give you permission to help them, you have a pretty good chance of winning in court if you help them, but they sue you anyway. I'd say help them if you feel inclined. Worry about the legalities when the time comes. You would probably be forgiven.
cabinfever
posted 15-Jul-2007 2:28am  

Help, but don't identify yourself, or hang around long.

Why did your certification get revoked? Sounds bad.

In my state, I believe we have 'Good Sam' laws. Kate would know.

It also depends on the sitch. Is there blood? Is anyone unconscious? Are there children involved? Is the vehicle on fire? Do you know if 'official' help is on the way? And if you do, how far away is it? Lots of things to consider.
darkshadowsseeker
posted 15-Jul-2007 2:43am  

RGirl
posted 15-Jul-2007 2:54am  

I'd wonder why it was revoked. I do have a similar situation. I would do what I could in an emergency but not go out of my way, meaning I know CPR just like a lot of people do and I'd give it if I encountered that situation.
jettles Survey Central SubscriberSurvey Qualifier
posted 15-Jul-2007 6:04am  

help but not as a medical person, just do the basic first aid that anyone would do.....
http://www.momsteam.com/alpha/features/cardiac_awa... - this site has laws by states, most are covered for basic help.
Otter Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 15-Jul-2007 8:42am  

I was in a diner having pie and coffee with a female friend. A married moron who was poking female friend on the side came in, punched me in the side of the head and pulled me out of my seat. I kicked Moron twice and put his head through a window, which ripped open his neck. I stood there and watched him bleed out. Moron’s wife tried to sue me. I wasn’t charged, but had my certification revoked. The theory being, I should have prevented his death.
Gomezy3k
posted 15-Jul-2007 9:55am  

I have passed by accidents...even watched one, a bus went off an over pass, I drove on, heard later a bunch of people were critically injured... What happens is not my business... Life sucks crap happens..
southernyankee
posted 15-Jul-2007 11:44am  

Get a cheat sheet that tells you what state is which and carry it in your wallet. Help the people in the states that have them. Give all your money to a trusted friend or relative in case you do choose to help, so that way you won't have any money to be sued for.
docgbrown
posted 15-Jul-2007 12:43pm  

Follow your instincts
JessicaWoman99
posted 15-Jul-2007 1:09pm  

I would just look the other way and not help, you could get yourself into plenty of hot water and legal
issues you do not need
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to Otter) posted 15-Jul-2007 1:13pm  

I'm surprised you weren't charged. You caused his death.
gambler Double Gold Star Survey CreatorSurvey QualifierThis user is on the site NOW (26 seconds ago)
posted 15-Jul-2007 4:05pm  

Do what you were trained to do and take your chances............. with a caveat that you are saving the persons life?, what I mean is if you witness an accident and the person is not gonna die etc, then call police and wait with the person.......... if its a case where if you DO NOT intervene the person could die or get much worse ..I would have to step in and help
gambler Double Gold Star Survey CreatorSurvey QualifierThis user is on the site NOW (26 seconds ago)
(reply to Otter) posted 15-Jul-2007 4:18pm  

> I was in a diner having pie and coffee with a
> female friend. A married moron who was poking
> female friend on the side came in, punched me
> in the side of the head and pulled me out of my
> seat. I kicked Moron twice and put his head through
> a window, which ripped open his neck. I stood
> there and watched him bleed out. Moron’s wife
> tried to sue me. I wasn’t charged, but had my
> certification revoked. The theory being, I should
> have prevented his death.

What the Fudge??.................... What is this with your weird stories? Assuming they are all true........ you have a propensity for violence and /or just bad crap follows you everywhere.

Wasn't there a story you told about smashing your Sony Vaio and then dumping it on the counter at the shop you bought it?

THen there was the time you sprayed fuel on some guy, who threatened you with a tire iron and you lit your lighter to defend yourself?

Then your wifes son kills himself, a girlfriend in a helicopter crash .................. dont you have normal things happen to you?


Like, I woke up and stubbed my toe on the bed, or something sheeeeeeesh

LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 15-Jul-2007 4:22pm  

I have a feeling that Otter writes these stories to make himself look like he has an interesting life. The ethical dilemmas are pretty clever though. He could make a good fiction writer. He seems well read on matters of law, except the fact you aren't going to be that easily forgiven if you use excessive force in self defense.
Biggles
posted 15-Jul-2007 5:03pm  

Do what you can, but don't tell anyone you are qualified - you aren't currently certified, so telling people that you are would be misleading. People have the right to refuse your treatment, so should also have to right to know if you are offering assistance as a passer-by, a qualified first-aider, or a registered medical professional.

Ethically, I think it would be difficult to argue for doing nothing.
Enheduanna Survey Central Subscriber
posted 15-Jul-2007 5:58pm  

Why was your certification revoked? And why are you worried about helping?
JessicaWoman99
posted 15-Jul-2007 6:18pm  

And now we have heard it all on survey central the cat's out of the box gee
Amanda
posted 15-Jul-2007 9:37pm  

If you're able to help, I think you should. I wouldn't hang around long, though, because people are too sue happy.

In Mississippi, someone with medical training is required by law to help if they see someone in trouble. They are required to stay on scene until someone with more medical training arrives. However, if they aren't able to (they have young children with them or something) they don't have to help. But, then again, who's going to know that car passing has a nurse in it?
Amanda
(reply to cabinfever) posted 15-Jul-2007 9:38pm  

Your comment made me giggle. Can you figure out why? *grin*
FordGuy
posted 16-Jul-2007 7:57am  

If it weren't for ambulance chasing lawyers I'd say help everyone you can. But it's not worth losing everything you have just for being nice.
CynShar
posted 16-Jul-2007 8:00am  

help but don't identify yourself
cloudhugger Survey Central SubscriberSilver Star Survey Creator
posted 16-Jul-2007 8:41am  

Why the need to save lives?
cloudhugger Survey Central SubscriberSilver Star Survey Creator
(reply to LindaH, Amanda) posted 16-Jul-2007 8:51am  

If an Otter came to my assistance, I would prefer he did not touch me, called someone and continued down the street.

I recall a few years back there was a slight accident involovng very old man driving, his sick wife and ice on the road. he spun out and landed in the middle of a field. We all ran out to help, except the licensed nurse, the chiropractor and the one with the bum knee. That left me and someone else. There is no way a medically trained person who is just passing by is going to stop and get involved. It isn't worth their license. The laws here are very thick.
Iseult Silver Star Survey Creator
posted 16-Jul-2007 10:39am  

I think you should help anyone out in any way you can.
LJD Bronze Star Survey CreatorGold Qualifier
posted 16-Jul-2007 1:03pm  

You should do what you can, within your range of skills to save someone....as you have a higher calling....you also would have your conscience to deal with, in your quiet time.
cerealkiller Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 16-Jul-2007 1:45pm  

Why revoked? You kill someone?

I'd say help and take your chances. I believe there is a Good Samitaritan law in California. But I think if you initiate aid you're not allowed to leave until paramedics arrive. You can't just start CPR or something, then rush off because you're late for a meeting, etc.
Otter Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to gambler) posted 16-Jul-2007 8:48pm  

I thought this was a normal life, I have a friend who thinks I'm a magnet for butt-holes.
The crap with the computer was just me being an butt-hole because I got sick of the POS locking up and being told there was nothing wrong with it.
mve17
posted 17-Jul-2007 5:52am  

Im first aid trained but that doesn't mean I'd have a clue what to do.. so I'd just scream and run around in circles or something..
Otter Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to LindaH) posted 17-Jul-2007 3:34pm  

I didn’t use excessive force. I just didn’t do anything to stop the bleeding. A twelve year old could have stopped the bleeding, I just stood there looking at him like a dumb crap. I froze.
I’ve tried writing fiction, I’m not any better at that than anything else I’ve done. See for yourself, http://www.rict.us/Piece/Mike_109html Then click on Mike under Latest pieces, I can't make the link work.
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to Otter) posted 17-Jul-2007 4:57pm  

Putting someone's head through a window is not excessive force?
Lahdee Bronze Star Survey CreatorThis user is on the site NOW (37 seconds ago)
(reply to LindaH) posted 17-Jul-2007 5:10pm  

> Putting someone's head through a window is
> not excessive force?

Is it open or closed?
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to Lahdee) posted 17-Jul-2007 5:17pm  

Read his post.
Lahdee Bronze Star Survey CreatorThis user is on the site NOW (37 seconds ago)
(reply to LindaH) posted 17-Jul-2007 5:24pm  

I was joking.
dab Survey Central Gold Subscriber
posted 18-Jul-2007 4:23pm  

I believe that Good Samaritan laws are in place in every state in the US these days. The requirement to render assistance is more rare, I think, but in any case you wouldn't have any duty to help since you are no longer certified.
Otter Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to LindaH) posted 18-Jul-2007 7:11pm  

Did you read my attempt at writing fiction?
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to Otter) posted 18-Jul-2007 8:36pm  

I skimmed it. I'll still have to go look again.
Otter Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to LindaH) posted 18-Jul-2007 9:02pm  

Thank you, Linda, care to translate your Quotation,"Teto yolo lall?"
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
(reply to Otter) posted 18-Jul-2007 9:08pm  

To Each Their Own
You Only Live Once
Live And Let Live
mrmarm
posted 20-Jul-2007 12:49am  

Help for as long you need just because you can I guess.



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