Would you allowed me to perform CPR on you if needed?

Question

Would you allowed me to perform CPR on you if needed?
I mean in real emergency only.Would you sue me for breaking your ribs during chest compressions or causing a minor illness like cough or sorethroat due to mouth-to-mouth breathing eventhough i've saved your life?Can we be friends after i manage to revive you?Would you marry me?hehehe...(the "marry me" is not really a serious question but you can answer it if you wanted to:-))

Answer 1

Would I allow it? I'd be unconscious and would have no say in the matter. Being unconscious gives you 'implied consent' to provide life-saving treatment.

Sue you? If you are a lay person, I could not sue you because the Good Samatatin law protects you, and no one has challenged it successfully yet.

Illness? Not many people pick up illnesses either way in these situations, especially if you use a barrier like you were taught in class.

Friend? Most CPR is done on a relative or co-worker where a relationship already exists. (Oddly, it really strains a typical friendship!) Stranger rescuers often go unknown, although sometimes a relationship develops- it is pretty rare.

Answer 2

If I needed CPR, I don't think I would be in a position to pick and chose who performed it on me. I would not sue if I survived. Along those lines, we were once at a state park and someone was drowning in the lake and when they pulled him out, my husband against my wishes, began to perform CPR on him, with the help of an RN who happened to be present. It was the first time I had ever seen CPR performed on a real person and it was awful. The nurse was performing the mouth to mouth and my husband was doing the chest compressions. Dirty lake water mixed with vomit and foam was coming out of his mouth and my husband did break some of his ribs, and you could hear the loud crack when they broke. Again, it was horrible. Sadly, the man died without ever reviving, even thought the paramedics arrived quickly and took over the resusitation, he did not make it. I don't think I will ever get over the horror of it and I wonder if he had survived if he would have sued for the broken ribs? Probably, because people sue for everything these days, and I really admire that nurse, because I don't think I would have put my mouth on his with all that stuff coming out. Might make me selfish, but I don't think I would have.

Answer 3

Do you even know how to? Do you know the correct number of compressions to breaths? Do you know where to put your hands for effective compressions? Would I have to talk you through it?

Scary thought. What you CAN do is call 911 first. Get them on their way before you attempt anything.

I'm an EMT. I don't make friends with my patients. Once I get them to the hospital, they will likely never see me again. My job is done.

On the other hand...if you actually DO know CPR and you DO know that extenuating circumstances can cause problems, then go for it. Do you know how to do CPR if someone has a traumatic arrest because of a car accident and you have to maintain C-spine immobilization? Do you know how to do the jaw thrust? You can't tilt someone's head if you have maintain C-spine. Do you know how to use an AED? Do you know that we no longer do mouth-to-mouth? We use a CPR mask.

As for the suing issue, since you are not a medical professional, you are protected under the Good Samaritan Act. I, as a licensed EMT, am not. I can be held liable. However, I would risk my license to save someone's life. No question about that. It's what I'm trained to do and what I'm morally and ethically supposed to do.

If you do not know CPR or if your skills are outdated, contact the American Red Cross to take the current course.

As for the friend issue, I would be grateful and appreciative. However, EMTs rarely get thanked. So...I would thank you and show my appreciation. We might stay friends or on a friendly basis. More likely, it would be two strangers who connected for a brief moment and then went their separate ways. You would go home with a sense of satisfaction because you helped save someone's life. I would go home alive.

I'm spoken for.

Answer 4

In a real emergency, I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to sue someone for saving their life. Most people already know that damage like broken ribs can and will occur from CPR but it certainly is better than the alternative. As long as you are doing what you can to the best of your ability and knowledge, I don't think there should be any problems.

Answer 5

If I needed CPR I would be grateful if you revived me. No, I would not sue for damages, I would be glad that such a wonderful person existed in my time of need. Yes, we could be friends, as I would probably view you as my hero (which in the case of saving my life you would be). And no, I wouldn't marry you (LOL), because I am already married.

Have a great day!
Karen

Answer 6

I would be very grateful too.

There is a law that protects a qualified rescuer from being sued, called the "Good Samaritan Act/legislation". It would be a very sad day when people sue a rescuer for saving a person life.

As for marrying you sorry I am already taken. But you would be a very dear friend for life.

Answer 7

yes, and dont remind me of the breaking ribs thing! It feels and sounds terrible when your doing it, but sadly most of them dont make it anyway. I woudnt sue you and most states protect you with the good samaritan law, although you do have more to lose being an EMT. Ive heard of EMT's and paramedics being sued personally and losing everything including there licence, for negligence and such. Im sorry I cant marry you, but I will be your EMT friend.

Answer 8

If you know CPR and I need it I would have no problem, also you can not be sued for preforming CPR because of the good Samaritan law (USA) as long as you did not go beyond your training.

Answer 9

Are you kidding! If you performed CPR on me and saved my life I would love you forever! You would be my hero! The marrying thing...lol but i might if we talked after and i liked you!
Shannyn

Answer 10

I'd let a dog perform CPR on me if it would save my life!