Comcast Techs Save Drowned Child > Awesome

reply to Mordy

Re: Awesome

In Colorado (where I live) I need only a current CPR and first aid certification in order to be protected - even though I've never given CPR to a real person either. One of the more common things that happens when you give CPR is broken ribs from the chest compressions. They sometimes (although rarely) puncture lungs and cause other damage. As long as you were not doing something that you weren't trained to do, even that kind of other incidental damage can't be held against you, and you are protected from lawsuits.

Typically you need to take a 1-2 day class taught by a certified instructor, and then you are "certified"...not all that hard, and like the guys in the story demonstrated, well worth it if you ever need to use it to help someone. The Red Cross is the main body that teaches CPR, but other organizations offer certified training as well.
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Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored - Aldous Huxley

Basically, this is the long and short of CPR liabilities:

You are told that if you don't know CPR - don't do it. You'll end up hurting the victim more.

That's what CPR reps. and instructors will tell you UP FRONT. On the side though, should you see someone clearly needing CPR, haven't been trained, but have seen an episode of "Scrubs" or two, go to town. So long as you were giving a "best effort" approach, (ie. not performing CPR w/ a chainsaw, foot, or other inappropriate object) you are protected via the Good Sameritan laws.

The person's already dead when you're performing CPR on them...how much more dead can ya make 'em?

Doctors, on the other hand, need to watch their ass on this one. Should you perform CPR, it could fall under the category of "Professional Services", and you could be held liable for any failures or damages that occur as a result. I do believe there have been a few lawsuits where a MD performed CPR on-site, and then were sued by either the patient and/or the survivors.