Do I have the right to refuse CPR?

I do not have a terminal illness. However, I feel it is my right to refuse "CPR"

despite the fact that I do not have a terminal illness. Can a lawyer help me fill out the necessary paperwork? Thanks

I see no reason why you should not be able to fill out advanced directives and refuse CPR no matter what, when, or any circumstance. I would kkep a copy of the papers on me at all times and wear a medical alert stating to the fact.

Keep in mind, that even w/ advanced directives, present family can insist, and to err on the side of caution and avoid costly litigation, health care providers will always try to save (when in doubt...)

BUT---

why?? What if you go into arrest after chocking, and the obstruction is removed. You may be able to be resuscitated in time before any brain damage. Or V-Fib for whatever reason and there is a AED right there?? You can be converted and suffer no ill effects.

In medicine there are too many unknowns and exceptions to make a blanket rule (sometimes). (see what I mean??) Best bet is to get a healthcare power of attorney and EDUCATE THEM. Be sure they will do what YOU would want.

-Dave

This is the edit:

P.S. What about the Heimlich if you're chocking?? What about recue breathing, what if what if.. There are alot!!!

I see no reason why you should not be able to fill out advanced directives and refuse CPR no matter what, when, or any circumstance. I would kkep a copy of the papers on me at all times and wear a medical alert stating to the fact.

Keep in mind, that even w/ advanced directives, present family can insist, and to err on the side of caution and avoid costly litigation, health care providers will always try to save (when in doubt...)

BUT---

why?? What if you go into arrest after chocking, and the obstruction is removed. You may be able to be resuscitated in time before any brain damage. Or V-Fib for whatever reason and there is a AED right there?? You can be converted and suffer no ill effects.

In medicine there are too many unknowns and exceptions to make a blanket rule (sometimes). (see what I mean??) Best bet is to get a healthcare power of attorney and EDUCATE THEM. Be sure they will do what YOU would want.

-Dave

This is the edit:

P.S. What about the Heimlich if you're chocking?? What about recue breathing, what if what if.. There are alot!!!

:) Thanks everyone for your great insights. I watched my Dad suffer on a ventilator for almost a month. He did finally get weaned off of it. However, my Dad died anyway a month later. My worst nightmare fears would be waking up someday in ICU and having a ventilator,NG tube and colostomy in place.

:) Thanks everyone for your great insights. I watched my Dad suffer on a ventilator for almost a month. He did finally get weaned off of it. However, my Dad died anyway a month later. My worst nightmare fears would be waking up someday in ICU and having a ventilator,NG tube and colostomy in place.

Blackcat99:

My Ohio Living Will states that if I am in a Terminal Condition and unable to make my own health care decisions, or in a Permanently Unconscious State, I direct that my physician shall:

1. Administer no life-sustaining treatment, including CPR and artificially or technologically supplied nutrition or hydration; and

2. Withdraw such treatment, including CPR, if such treatment has started; and

3. Issue a DNR Order; and

4. Permit me to die naturally and take no action to postpone my death, providing me with only that care necessary to make me comfortable and to relieve my pain.

I have sent copies of this document to my parents, my sister, my physician, my hospital, and filed it with the County Recorder. It does no good if they do not know your wishes.

You would also need to fill out a Health Care Power of Attorney in order to address the issues that you bring up. I am not a lawyer, but unless you and the person designated as your health care agent both have specific religious objections, such as refusing blood transfusions, it seems to me unlikely that your agent would actually refuse ICU care, a ventilator, an NG tube, and a colostomy for you if you are not terminal or permanently unconscious. The pressure upon the agent to consent to these treatments would be enormous, especially if the ventilator and colostomy are expected to be temporary.

I ended up in the ICU for 2.5 days last May, and had an NG tube for several hours (but no ventilator or colostomy). Not only did I make a full recovery, I actually thought the ICU was fairly peaceful, but then that's me.