If you’re in a situation where someone needs CPR, you may wonder if you should perform CPR or if you should wait for the ambulance. Some people worry that if they hurt someone in the process of giving CPR that they may be held liable for the injury. Others worry that because CPR requires touching the other person, they may be accused of assault. As such, they may assume that it would be better to wait for the ambulance to arrive.
However, if you are certified and know how to administer CPR, then yes, you should indeed perform CPR – after calling 911, of course. Here is what you need to know about the factors involved with if you should perform CPR while you wait for the ambulance.
What Does CPR Do?
When someone goes into cardiac arrest, this means that their heart is not pumping blood throughout their body. Blood delivers oxygen to your organs and tissues. Without blood circulation, the lack of oxygen can cause severe problems, like irreversible brain damage.
CPR helps to move blood around the body. Chest compressions get oxygen to the brain and other organs. Even if the person does not survive, if they are a donor, CPR helps to keep their organs viable.
How Do You Know If Someone Needs CPR?
Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack. If someone is conscious and breathing, they do not need CPR. However, if someone is unresponsive and not breathing, then you can perform CPR.
You should only perform CPR if you know how to, if the other person needs it, and if doing so wouldn’t put you in danger.
Do You Need To Be A Healthcare Professional To Perform CPR?
No, you don’t. You can get a CPR certification through the American Heart Association or Red Cross. CPR certifications are necessary for many different careers. Obviously, healthcare professionals and emergency responders need this. But other people who may need a CPR certification include: fitness trainers and instructors, flight attendants, lifeguards, and more.
However, anyone can be trained in CPR. This certification is not limited to those with careers that may require it.
Can You Do CPR If You Are Not Certified?
CPR certification helps with proficiency, family health, and employment. However, a certification doesn’t provide you with additional protection from liability. If you have been trained in CPR, regardless of whether or not you have certification, you should act. If you know how to do CPR and you do not act, the victim may die before the ambulance gets there. If you do CPR, even if it isn’t perfect, the victim has a better chance of survival.
What Do You Do If Someone Needs CPR?
If someone needs CPR and you know how to perform it, then you should do so. Properly performed CPR can be the difference between life and death. Call 911 first or have another person in the area call 911, to ensure that an ambulance is on the way. The operator may keep you on the line and provide you with assistance as needed.
It’s important not to overthink the possibility of being sued. If you know how to perform CPR and people need it, then you should do so. Mistakes happen. Sexual assault requires intent. Performing chest compressions on a woman if she needs CPR is not assault.
When the ambulance arrives, you shouldn’t stop. It can take emergency personnel a second to get situated. You should keep going until someone taps you out to take over for you.
Are There Legal Complications If You Perform CPR?
In such a litigious society as the US is, people may be reluctant to help others out, because they fear that if they make any sort of misstep, that they may be held liable. Good Samaritan laws exist in order to protect both the general public and off-duty personnel from liability during rescues and rescue attempts.
Good Samaritan laws protect you if you are acting without any expectation of reward. If you were being paid to rescue a person, then you would be expected to do everything correctly, and thus, could be held liable for any missteps. Good Samaritan laws vary from state to state.
In general, Good Samaritan laws require three things from you before you provide emergency care.
- Obtain consent. If the person is unconscious or unresponsive, assume they want your help.
- Only do what you’re trained to do. If you know how to do CPR, then you may perform it, but don’t attempt anything you don’t know how to do, like trying to set someone’s dislocated shoulder.
- Provide care voluntarily. Only offer to help if you do not expect any compensation.
The best way to protect yourself from liability is to always act on behalf of the victim. Good Samaritan laws may protect you from reasonable mistakes, but if your intention is to be a hero and you’re putting yourself in danger, attempting something you have no idea how to do, or expecting gifts or another form of compensation, then you may not be protected.
If your intention is just to help another person out, you’re using common sense, don’t do anything you aren’t trained to do, you get professional help for the victim, and you don’t accept any gifts or rewards, these can help you stay out of court.
Do You Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
As is the case with all of our blogs, remember that this blog is not intended as legal advice, but just to provide you with general information that may or may not be applicable to your case. LeBaron & Jensen is here to help those who were injured because of another’s negligence obtain justice and the compensation they deserve. To learn more about our services or whether or not you have a case on your hands, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
