Should I offer help, or mind my own business?

If your license was revoked, I'm sure your legal responsibility to render assistance would have been rescinded as well.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.

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.

I'd wonder why it was revoked.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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

Follow your instincts

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

I'm surprised you weren't charged. You caused his death.

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

> 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

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.

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.

Why was your certification revoked? And why are you worried about helping?

And now we have heard it all on survey central the cat's out of the box gee

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?

Your comment made me giggle. Can you figure out why?

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.

help but don't identify yourself

Why the need to save lives?

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.

I think you should help anyone out in any way you can.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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

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

Is it open or closed?

Read his post.

I was joking.

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.

Did you read my attempt at writing fiction?

I skimmed it. I'll still have to go look again.

Thank you, Linda, care to translate your Quotation,"Teto yolo lall?"

To Each Their Own
You Only Live Once
Live And Let Live

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