Imagine the scene....
You're walking through the local shopping centre when a middle aged man in true theatrical fashion clutches at his chest and falls to the ground. His skin is pale and clammy. His lips are turning blue. All fingers are pointing to something delightful involving his heart. His wife is screaming and bystanders are throwing their 2 cents into the ring when someone comes forward...
At this point I'd be thinking thank goodness someone in that crowd as done CPR at some point. Er no... this helpful person is going to be helping this poor ill man on the basis of knowledge acquired from medical dramas.
Sorry I've done more CPR courses than I care to count and I would still be hesitant (slightly) in rushing in to help. But apparently 1 in 5 would have a go even if they are not trained. 77% aren't.
"First aid is easy if you know what to do" Well thanks St Johns Ambulance. They think you should at least try even if you haven't a scooby. Now if this was another country I could mention that bystander could get sued for not knowing what they're doing. Heck it's happening here too. It's a false confidence that could actually put someone's life at greater risk.
"Stand back I was this on Holby City / Casualty / ER / M*A*S*H / House / Crossing Jordan / Gray's Anatomy / other medical drama!" Ain't really gonna cut the mustard. Keep your precordial thumps to yourself. Assuming you know what that is...
About Me
- WardBunny
- Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- A twenty-something Nurse. There's a trend towards listed rantings hiding in here. If that's not your thing then this isn't for you. Sorry can't please everyone. Comments welcome, You Tube video referrals even more so.
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GBNF = Gone But Not Forgotten
Emergency Department
Surgical Department
Ward Staff
RNs in Training
Management
Outpatients Department
Mental Health
Diversity Department
Bank Nurses
Nurses.co.uk
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4 comments:
It is scary that you can be sued for helping some one. It is not uncommon in the US for being sued for battery because you broke ribs during CPR. Many health care professionals have to take a second to think 'do I really want to do this' before they help someone in the community. I held inline stabilization on a woman after a car accident a few years ago. The EMT's looked at my credentials, said I was fine, thanked me, the pt thanked me and my name was omitted from the report. The EMT's said had I not done that she would have been paralyzed, but in this sue happy county its better to just be some random person.
It's the untrained people trying CPR that really scares me. Trained people can have a go all they want. But I am truly scared of being sued. I was trained as an American Red Cross lifeguard and basically it went like "do it and you might get sued, don't and you WILL get sued". So no win there then.
I was told the same thing, hence my actions. I hate this litigious society we live in today.
It is a sad state of affairs when the assistance of those in need is questioned, be it not given, all because we are afraid of the aftermath or should I say the aftershock and possibility of litigation.
When all we simply were trying to do is help a fellow human being in need.
A shame.
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