hunter:
scenario… women and child in car after accident…car on fire…both trapped or both suffering back or and neck injuries… do we as people with feelings leave them to burn to death?
No we don’t ! We give assistance because a damaged spinal column is better than being dead ! Besides, I did say in a previous thread: “I would go to the aid of someone else in distress but it would depend on the circumstances…”
Using your example, if there is a fire or they’re trapped there’s nothing you can do unless you’ve got hose reels and “holmatro”. You must have heard about car fires on the radio ? The Highways Agency have to come out and resurface the road - they burn that hot ! If it melts the road, what does it do to the human body ? When the emergency services do arrive, they’ve got the woman and child to deal with, as well as the idiot who thought he was fireproof. This is an extreme scenario.
Imagine the same scenario but no fire, what would most people do ? Pull them out and put them in the “recovery position” because they fear the car will blow up (like in the films). Their actions, which you did point out, could possibly put someone in a wheelchair permanently !
For example, last summer, driving to work, I came upon a car on it’s side. Brand new Ford Fiesta on trade plates; warm summer’s day, straight road in the country, virtually no traffic - how he managed to overturn the car, I don’t know. Anyway, the accident had only just happened when I got there. Some bloke walked over saying he was a First-Aid Instructor at work and that he knew what to do. His suggestion was that we turn the car over first because it would then be easier to give the driver assistance - the driver would remain in the car whilst it was being righted !!!
This is a First-Aid Instructor ! Imagine what he teaches people in the work place ! He couldn’t quite grasp the concept that his actions might cause further injury to the driver. The driver only had a serious cut to his right forearm (caused by the o/s window smashing as the car flipped over) so we assisted him to climb out of the passenger door. We then righted the car and “bounced” it to the side of the road.
If Galaxian had contracted HIV/AIDS through his actions he would probably have not been able to sue. Why ? He took it upon himself to provide assistance, nobody instructed him to do so. If he was assisting someone who was bleeding then he should’ve been wearing protective latex gloves. If he wasn’t wearing gloves, who’s fault is that ? If you wear sandals to work, instead of steel toe caps and you drop something heavy on your toes, who’s fault is that ?
Cornish Trucker:
If you are a first aider at work, you can get insurance (about £10/yr) that covers you outside of the work area.
And, how many people will do that ? Most people don’t have a fire extinguisher or first-aid kit in their homes or cars ! A lot of trucks don’t carry this equipment either, it should be compulsory.
Cornish Trucker:
I personally am trained in airway management, use of defibulator and because I cover numerous motor sport events, am trained in RTA management…
I didn’t mean any disrespect but you’re an exception to the rule. I greatly admire people who take it upon themselves to devote their spare time to learning valuable skills in order to help other people. There is, however, a difference between yourself and the First-Aider at work. I would imagine that you do it because its an interesting hobby/vocation, you get a great deal of satisfaction and fulfilment from it, and you get free admission to motor racing meetings ! Seriously though, what proportion of SJA members are qualified to an extremely high level ? How many people with a First-Aid at Work Certificate continue to train to such an advanced level ?
As a former member of the emergency services, we came across a lot of people who had got a basic knowledge of First-Aid who would then presume their level of care is the same as that of the emergency services. Yet, the level of care between the emergency services differs depending on what service you’re in; your experts being the Paramedics and Ambulance Technicians. These individuals work in some absolutely appalling conditions but their level of professionalism is second to none.
The best advice is leave well alone unless you’re absolutely sure you know what you’re doing ! Circumstance that will ultimately dictate whether or not you go to the assistance of someone in distress, its entirely your decision ! Nobody can really answer the question of assisting someone in a hazardous environment until they are faced with that situation…
