8-bit Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I was wondering. As mentioned before, I'm still in class... but if I were to see an accident before or after EMS got there, should I get out to help? I guess this is more for the AFTER EMS arrived thing... because I would regardless get out and help... after parking safely of course! :wink: I have a First Aid kit I packed myself plus some little extra things first-aid kits don't normally have. [Glucose Meter, BP/Steth kit. etc...] Should I get out and offer help even though I'm still just a student or would I get in the way? Thanks.
tskstorm Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I was wondering. As mentioned before, I'm still in class... but if I were to see an accident before or after EMS got there, should I get out to help? I guess this is more for the AFTER EMS arrived thing... because I would regardless get out and help... after parking safely of course! :wink: I have a First Aid kit I packed myself plus some little extra things first-aid kits don't normally have. [Glucose Meter, BP/Steth kit. etc...] Should I get out and offer help even though I'm still just a student or would I get in the way? Thanks. Ohio’s “Good Samaritan” Law Protects Volunteers Q.: What is the “Good Samaritan” law? A.: The “Good Samaritan” law provides certain protection from lawsuits to people who give first aid or other emergency care or treatment to someone suffering an injury or sudden illness. This statute is listed in the Ohio Revised Code, Section 2305.23. Q.: Under what circumstances does the Good Samaritan law apply? A.: The care or treatment must be given at the scene of an emergency outside of a hospital, doctor’s office, or other medical facility. The law protects volunteers who help when someone becomes ill or is injured in places such as on the street or highway, in parks, restaurants, businesses, even private residences. If someone is already at a hospital or other medical facility, the law does not apply Q.: Are there any limits to the protection of the Good Samaritan law? A.: The law does not protect against lawsuits or criminal charges for “willful or wanton” (intentional or malicious) misconduct. Examples of willful or wanton misconduct would include stealing from an accident victim or inappropriate sexual touching. Also, if the person providing the emergency care or treatment is paid or expects to get paid for giving the care or treatment, whether by the victim or someone on behalf of the victim (such as an insurance company), the Good Samaritan law does not provide protection. This is because a person who is paid generally is not considered a volunteer, and the Good Samaritan law is intended to protect those who volunteer in emergencies. The statute provides one exception to this not-being-paid rule: An on-duty police officer or fire fighter who gives emergency care or treatment may be covered by the Good Samaritan law. The reasoning is that, even though the police officer or firefighter is being paid by the department for working a shift (or responding to a call-out in the case of volunteer firefighters), payment is not being provided specifically for giving care to a particular individual in an emergency. Q.: Does the Good Samaritan law protect doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals? A.: Yes, if the health care professional volunteers her/his services at the scene of an emergency that is outside a hospital, doctor’s office or other medical facility. However, a professional who seeks payment for this volunteer emergency care or treatment loses the protection under the Good Samaritan law. 10/22/2006 Law You Can Use is a weekly consumer legal information column provided by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). This article was prepared by Cleveland attorney Harold R. Rauzi. Articles appearing in this column are intended to provide broad, general information about the law. Before applying this information to a specific legal problem, readers are urged to seek advice from an attorney. Thats first, you would be protected, as long as your efforts were in good intentions, me personally I would not as a student, as a professional its a judgment call, and yet again I would not. Personal choice.
BEorP Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I was wondering. As mentioned before, I'm still in class... but if I were to see an accident before or after EMS got there, should I get out to help? I guess this is more for the AFTER EMS arrived thing... because I would regardless get out and help... after parking safely of course! :wink: I have a First Aid kit I packed myself plus some little extra things first-aid kits don't normally have. [Glucose Meter, BP/Steth kit. etc...] Should I get out and offer help even though I'm still just a student or would I get in the way? Thanks. I'm guessing that you would need medical direction to legally use the glucometer and knowing someone's blood glucose level will not change anything you would do for them. Same goes for the BP cuff and steth. Assuming we're talking about car accidents (i.e. trauma) then it will make no difference in your first aider treatment. My personal opinion is to stop if no one is there, but if an ambulance is there then let them do their work. There will be many hurt people for you to get paid to help once you're done school.
8-bit Posted October 12, 2007 Author Posted October 12, 2007 Thanks. [i knew about the Good Samaritan Law but it's always good to know about.] The Glucose Meter and other stuff is mainly in there just in case anything happens else where.. i.e. medical.
BEorP Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 The Glucose Meter and other stuff is mainly in there just in case anything happens else where.. i.e. medical. Are you allowed to use the glucometer as a first aider?
Chief1C Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I would kindly ask, in an amicable tone, to see proof of your certification. If none could be provided, I would again kindly ask you to stand out of the way. Liability. We welcome assistance before we arrive, but not from unknown personnel, while we are on the scene. Then again, it would depend on the circumstance.
akroeze Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 The only time I would offer my assistance at a scene with a crew already there is if from what I could see they had an MCI.
reaper Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 I don't mind the help before I get there. It is all how you act once I am on scene that determines is I let you stay. If I get there and you give me a good report of what you have found and any vitals you have, then I will let you help me till it's time to transport. Best thing you can do is give a report to the arriving crew and step back. till you see if they want your help. Some crews can be pr%%ks and some will be nice. You just have to see which shows up! Now if you act like johnny hero on scene, Then you get escorted off scene is a not so nice way!
akroeze Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Some crews can be pr%%ks and some will be nice. You just have to see which shows up! Yeah, I have stopped at an MVC twice that I can think of right now. Once the lead medic ignored me even after I identified myself as being a Paramedic and offered to show my ID card. She acted like I wasn't even there. The other time I identified myself as a Paramedic and the medic was like "Ok, so what do you have for us?" took my report and everything went smooth. I stood back and let them do their work. When it came time for the stretcher to be retrieved, the partner requested I assist him which I was more than happy to do. I felt that was about the best way to handle an off-duty medic on scene that there is. And I just missed a major MVC by about 10 seconds last week. Glanced at my rear-view mirror to see a vehicle roll over into the median of the highway. I was too far down the road to stop and by the time I got to the next exit the Ambulance was just getting on. Oh well, meant I wasn't late getting where I was going. Weird to actually see it happen in a rear view mirror though. [edit] Just remembered a third time. I was 17 and had just finished my First Responder training a couple weeks before. Saw a lady get hit by a car a couple of intersections ahead of where I was. But at that time I was too freaked out to do anything and I didn't go offer assistance. I was too young and lacked the confidence [/edit]
8-bit Posted October 12, 2007 Author Posted October 12, 2007 Are you allowed to use the glucometer as a first aider? As an EMT-B, in my region of Ohio you are. The main reason I have it, is my boss is a borderline diabetic and he knows how to use it. I guess the reason is due to many people becoming diabetic or close to it, normally know how to use it... and if the situation comes up, I'll have one that THEY can use. That's properly calibrated and everything.
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