Page 16 - Participant Manual

■ Assuming that the situation is already ■ Fear of catching a disease. In today’s world,
under control. Although there may be a crowd the fear of contracting a communicable disease
of people around the injured or ill person, it while giving care to another person is a real one.
is possible that no one has taken action. If no However, although it is possible for diseases
one is giving care or directing the actions of to be transmitted in a first aid situation, it is
bystanders, you can take the lead. If someone extremely unlikely that you will catch a disease
else is already giving care, confirm that someone this way. Taking additional precautions, such as
has called 9-1-1 or the designated emergency putting on latex-free disposable gloves and using
number and ask how you can be of help. a CPR breathing barrier, can reduce your risk
even further.
■ Squeamishness related to unpleasant
sights, sounds or smells. Many people feel ■ Fear of being sued. Sometimes people
faint or nauseated when confronted with upsetting hesitate to get involved because they are
sights, sounds or smells, such as blood, vomit or worried about liability. In fact, lawsuits against
a traumatic injury. You may have to turn away for lay responders (nonprofessionals who give care
a moment and take a few deep breaths to regain in an emergency situation) are highly unusual and
your composure before you can give care. If you rarely successful. The majority of states and the
still are unable to give care, you can volunteer to District of Columbia have Good Samaritan laws
help in other ways, such as by calling 9-1-1 or that protect people against claims of negligence
the designated emergency number and bringing when they give emergency care in good faith
necessary equipment and supplies to the scene. without accepting anything in return (Box 1-4).

Box 1-4. Good Samaritan Laws

Good Samaritan laws, which protect the
responder from financial liability, were
developed to encourage people to help
others in emergency situations. They
assume a responder will do his or her best
to save a life or prevent further injury. Good
Samaritan laws require the responder
to use common sense and a reasonable
level of skill and to give only the type
of emergency care for which he or she
is trained. Good Samaritan laws usually
protect responders who act the way a
“reasonable and prudent person” would act
if that person were in the same situation.
For example, a reasonable and prudent
person would:
■ Move a person only if the person’s life were If a lay responder’s actions were grossly negligent
in danger. or reckless, or if the responder abandoned the
person after starting care, Good Samaritan
■ Ask a responsive person (or the parent or laws may not protect the responder. For more
guardian of a minor) for permission to help information about your state’s Good Samaritan
(consent) before giving care. laws, conduct an Internet search or contact a legal

■ Check the person for life-threatening professional. © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
conditions before giving further care.
■ Call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number.

■ Continue to give care until more highly trained
personnel take over.

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