Posted by Buzzworm:
As for the CPR, don't beat yourself up too badly. You can't do that and drive at the same time. You did the best you could in a lousy situation. I'm sure your friend knows that, and appreciated your being there for him. Also, one thing to think about. In some states, if you start CPR and stop before the EMT gets there, you can be held responsible because you start and then stop before being told to stop by a professional. Good luck, and once again, sorry about your friend.
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buzzworm,
I guess it may be different in some states, I don't know for sure, here in Michigan if you start CPR, you can stop when;
-you are relieved by someone of equal or greater training.
-the pt. recovers (rare, despite what you see on TV)
-You are physically unable to continue.
-medical control authority says you can stop. (not applicable in your situation)
- a valid DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)order is presented to the rescuer. (again not applicable to your situation)
Most states also have the 'good Samaritan law', which states that if your actions are of good intent, and are what a 'reasonable and prudent' person would do, and no 'gross misconduct' is involved, you are OK.
As to the issue if you should have stopped or not, NO!! YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED!! CPR is a tool to increase survival rates of the pt. upon arrival of definitive treatment. Be that an Emergency room or an ambulance. According to the American Heart Association, the order of things to do when someone stops breathing, is to first recognize the problem exists, then to activate the EMS system. In your situation this is getting your friend some definitive care. You are not going to help him or yourself by doing CPR on the side of the road, until a ambulance happens by, or more likely, someone with a cell phone drives by, hopefully stops and calls 911. Then the LONG wait until EMS gets there! You did the right thing, rest easy brother!
Anyone considering weather or not to start CPR should consider the following from The American Heart Association's Book 'Basic Life Support, Heartsaver Guide', in Appendix 3, 'Legal and Ethical Issues' on page 74 states;
"There is no instance known in which a layperson who has performed CPR has been sued successfully. Good Samaritan laws in most states specifically protect professionals and laypersons performing CPR "in good faith," Under most Good Samaritan laws, laypersons are protected if they preform CPR even if they have had no formal training.
All citizens should learn to perform CPR well enough to sustain the life of the victim until professional emergency medical treatment becomes available unless such performance would pose a medical or emotional danger to themselves."
I would hate to see someone with hold CPR because they are scared of getting sued. People who live in a more urban area should consider calling 911 and not driving the pt. to the ER. In more and more areas even the police are carrying AED's (Automated External Defibrillator) the machine that 'shocks' people off the bed on TV. They need Oxygen and electricity.
Tim L.