Bystander CPR (my friend's story)

I wanted to share my amazing friend's amazing story. He's come so far since his heart attack and subsequent brain injury, but wouldn't have had the chance if not for two strangers. I didn't realize that only 32% of victims receive bystander CPR. My friend Allen is very, very lucky.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-bratspies/to-the-strangers-who-performed-cpr-on-my-partner_b_7028066.html

Wow.

What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing - this will no doubt make those who read it consider whether to update his/her CPR skills. Best wishes to your friend for a continued recovery.

I remember you telling me about your friend when this happened. What a story!

Lovely. Thanks for sharing.

Wow is right. Remarkable story.

Amazing story. So happy to see your friend continues to do better. Makes me want to brush up on my CPR instructions.

Great story. A friend who was an EMT told me he once did CPR on someone while he was off duty, and the guy tried to sue him because he suffered broken ribs in the process (apparently this is supposed to happen if you do the chest compressions right).

The process was such a nightmare he's scared to do CPR on anyone again if he's off duty, even though it could save someone's life. That whole situation makes me so sad.

I'm glad the guys who helped your friend just went for it.

Please tell me that case was dismissed, @afa. I'd heard of these things happening but didn't want to believe it was true.

I'm pretty sure it was. I believe it was something about the Good Samaratin law, but I can't say for sure; it's been awhile since I talked to him. We were learning basic CPR / first aid for the school we worked in, and it was kind of a warning like: you could really hurt someone if you don't do it right, and even if you DO do it right, you're not a professional medic-on-duty, so just make sure it's really necessary because someone could sue you.

If he had been on duty, he said he wouldn't have been sued. Again this is all just stuff he told me, but I had no reason not to believe him. My main takeaway was what kind of a-hole would sue someone who saved your life over a few cracked ribs. Jeez.

It would be nice if lawsuits could be dismissed on the grounds of a-holery, d-baggery or f-wittery. I would get behind that legislation.

Anyone know if classes are offered in the SOMap vicinity?

I just took a cpr class in town held by a wonderful EMT/instructor at her home. It was great and fyi, breaths are no longer recommended with adults, just compressions. So the ick factor some fear is no longer a reason to shy away from learning. During the class the leader addressed the fear of hurting a recipient and we were told it would never hold up because of Good Samaritan laws. I can't believe someone would sue over a life-saving measure that broke a few ribs in the process. It's absurd. I'll reach out to the person who held the class and ask if I can share her information here. I am SO glad I took the class.

afa said:

I'm pretty sure it was. I believe it was something about the Good Samaratin law, but I can't say for sure; it's been awhile since I talked to him. We were learning basic CPR / first aid for the school we worked in, and it was kind of a warning like: you could really hurt someone if you don't do it right, and even if you DO do it right, you're not a professional medic-on-duty, so just make sure it's really necessary because someone could sue you.

If he had been on duty, he said he wouldn't have been sued. Again this is all just stuff he told me, but I had no reason not to believe him. My main takeaway was what kind of a-hole would sue someone who saved your life over a few cracked ribs. Jeez.

Was this in New Jersey?

ETA: I quoted the wrong post and am posting on the phone so it isn't easy to fix.

New York; probably at least a decade ago.

Allen and Rebecca did a nice interview on Pittsburgh radio. It's really worth a listen (listed under April 10, Hour 2):

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/audio/mike-pintek/

Like something out of the movies, the two strangers disappeared and they have no idea who they were or how to thank them.

Local TV news picked it up as well:

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/ny-woman-writes-blog-thank-pittsburghers-who-helpe/nkq8b/

It is really really sad that someone would sue for trying to help

I did a CPR course with the Red Cross through work two weeks ago. They defined it as: if the person is conscious and able, you need consent to perform CPR. If they unable or unconscious, there is implied consent. It comes down to if they said no. If someone says no, there is nothing you can do.

CPR was compulsory at the school I went to in tenth grade. I wish it was compulsory everywhere!

@project37 - glad to hear someone stepped up to help

You don't perform CPR on someone who is conscious and able.

Just sayin'.

sac said:

You don't perform CPR on someone who is conscious and able.

Just sayin'.

True - I guess was being more generic and meant you can only help with first aid with consent or implied consent and trying to define what that meant

The importance of bystander CPR can not be overstated. It is quite often the deciding factor between who can be saved and who can not. Your chances of survival fall about 10% every minute without bystander CPR until defibrillation. That means if it takes 5 minutes for EMS to arrive, if CPR is not already in progress your chances of survival are already 50% lower.

"Hands only" bystander CPR has been shown to be as effective or more effective than traditional CPR (where you also perform breaths), so that hopefully will help more bystanders get involved because you no longer have to put your mouth on someone.

Bystander CPR can be boiled down to this: If you see an unresponsive adult who is not breathing, call 911 and push hard and fast on the center of the chest, and do not stop until someone else takes over or the person starts breathing. Every time you stop compressions... even for a few seconds, chances of survival drop immensely.

As for Good Samaritan laws, you are protected if you try to help. Any suit filed against you will be thrown out. "Any Good Samaritan rendering care (in good faith and without thought of consideration) at the scene of an accident or emergency or while transporting the victim for further treatment... immunity is granted from liability". You are only not immune if the situation involves gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct-- meaning you can't try to save them via amateur open heart surgery or a tracheotomy using a ballpoint pen. But if you try to save someone via CPR, you are protected by the law.

mrincredible said:

Anyone know if classes are offered in the SOMap vicinity?

@mrincredible - we offer CPR and First Aid classes. You can email SORescue@verizon.net for more info.