Yesterday I saw a car accident. Looked like some young man in a sports car probably went to fast and hit a truck from behind. The truck was fine and the people in the truck were out walking around. I was going probably 5 mph on the highway strolling by this accident and all I could think about was "I wish I were a nurse so I could help!"
No ambulance yet, but I know the hospital was only 5 minutes away so I knew it would only be a minute before they got there. He was lucky to crash at that exit. He was right by the exit too.
I saw the young man laying in the grass, face up, eyes closed. About 10 people around him. I didn't see any blood or anything, and assumed he hadn't died by the way the people were acting around him. I mean, I'd assume people would either be freaking out or attempting CPR.
Part of me wanted to pull over and help, but honestly, the only thing I know how to do is take vitals. I mean, I haven't done any nursing clinicals. The only clinical I have had were nurse aide clinicals. So what was I going to do? Yell at the people to give him some space and take his pulse and respirations? As soon as that thought came into my mind, I heard the ambulance coming. Had I not heard them coming, I probably would have done the above. lol.
Nurse or not, I know the mistake #1 they made was pulling him out of that car. Hopefully they didn't damage his back.
I do think I am going to sign up for my BLS class next quarter and maybe do a first aid class as well. You never know. I may need those skills sometime before I become a nurse!
I'm going to buck the most of the trend here and say don't be a hero. Rubberneckers don't always see good Samaritans and what would you really be able to do other than CPR? I'm not quite sure how much good CPR would do for an MVA. (This is all assuming the situation the OP described on a highway. If you don't hear EMS coming, sure, help out if you're comfortable with it.)
I'll limit whatever skills I learn to the hospital for now. Besides, EMS is pretty fast after someone calls 911. The EMTs are more qualified to extract someone from a car and maintain C-spine.
umm can I just be that guy...you know the one that burst bubbles...
Even if I saw a car accident I wouldn't do a thing, matter fact I would blend in the crowd and go oohhh and ahhhhh.....and not get sued. At least that is how it goes in my state. Sorry I'm not walking outside to be a walking lawsuit for someone with a good citizen law or not. I might be CPR certified, but I'm not an EMT, and I don't need the _______ of the person injured coming up with Mr. "late night commercial" lawyer serving me papers.
...you save their life...oh...but they were ______ religion.
p.s. thank you california for making me this way.
Just an FYI, in Ca you are protected under the "Good Samaritan Law". You cannot be sued as long as you are practicing within your scope. My hubby is a FF/PM and I made that comment once, that I wouldn't want him to do anything because here in Ca people sue for anything (ie they order hot coffee, spill it on themselves, and then get $2M in pay out because it burned them.....IT WAS HOT COFFEE!!!! But I digress ) And that is when he was telling me about the law, then we learned about it in school. Just wanted to let you know :)
Good Samaritan laws are in a lot of states, As long as you practice within the scope of practice that you are trained. If your highest level is nurse adie, dont be doing an emergency trach. I do agree that extraction was not necessary but there are times when getting the person the hell out of a situation is necessary and you dont always get to maintain c-spine.
Working as a medic, I see a very different side to stopping at accidents! Yes, I am all for calling 9-1-1, but in terms of your safety (especially on a highway) it is not very safe! Also, do you have any gloves with you? And even if the person is very badly hurt and needs CPR, many EMS systems do not work on traumatic arrests, they are DOA and no attempts at resuscitation is done. I don't mean to be negative! You just have to realize that your safety is the most important, and there is very little that can be done prior to EMS arrival.
Its not just California, its Michigan as well. I had my CPR/BLS class last month and the instructor constantly reminded us that even though we may think we're being a "good samaritan", the person you are helping may not view it as such...and thats where all the suing comes in.
We have the Good Samaritan Law in Michigan as well.
Yes, I do. I carry my CPR mask and a few pairs of gloves in my car...just in case...but yes, you are correct, you have to consider your safety before stopping. And always call 9-1-1, even if it doesn't look serious.
Most students who are in nursing school HAVE TO get CPR certificate. I have 2 different ones and I would be so scared to go and help someone who got into a car accident. I don't know their condition. What if the guy fractured ribs or broke some bones....sometimes if you move a person you can make their condition worse by dislocating those ribs and causing some internal bleeding. I would only stop if I had some years of experience.
I know you have to have your CPR. There was no question mark behind my comment. I was merely making a statement.
I understand by making conditions worse by moving a person, such as broken bones. But if they're not breathing, clearly their biggest need is Oxygen, as it is always number.
I like what one poster said about even just being human and holding a hand. I'm not at all saying you did anything wrong. I've never seen an accident before so I'm not sure what exactly I would have done. I like to think I would have stopped.
If you're CPR certified in Michigan and you perform CPR you should be protected under the Good Samaritan law...
As has been mentioned, the problem is practicing outside your scope.
On the other hand, in some states if you're an RN you HAVE TO stop and offer assistance within your scope or, if discovered, can be charged with an offense equivalent to patient abandonment. Minnesota is one of these states, I believe...open to correction on that.
umm can I just be that guy...you know the one that burst bubbles...
Even if I saw a car accident I wouldn't do a thing, matter fact I would blend in the crowd and go oohhh and ahhhhh.....and not get sued. At least that is how it goes in my state. Sorry I'm not walking outside to be a walking lawsuit for someone with a good citizen law or not. I might be CPR certified, but I'm not an EMT, and I don't need the _______ of the person injured coming up with Mr. "late night commercial" lawyer serving me papers.
...you save their life...oh...but they were ______ religion.
p.s. thank you california for making me this way.
It is not just in California, in the US it is like that....just blame lawyers!!
Just an FYI, in Ca you are protected under the "Good Samaritan Law". You cannot be sued as long as you are practicing within your scope. My hubby is a FF/PM and I made that comment once, that I wouldn't want him to do anything because here in Ca people sue for anything (ie they order hot coffee, spill it on themselves, and then get $2M in pay out because it burned them.....IT WAS HOT COFFEE!!!! But I digress ) And that is when he was telling me about the law, then we learned about it in school. Just wanted to let you know
No you are not. Nurses are not trained in field emergency medicine...EMTs, Paramedics are.. you would only be covered under the Good Sam if you are performing CPR or simple first aid (if you are trained)
On the other hand, in some states if you're an RN you HAVE TO stop and offer assistance within your scope or, if discovered, can be charged with an offense equivalent to patient abandonment. Minnesota is one of these states, I believe...open to correction on that.
You are corrected...being a nurse does not make you obligated to stop and render assistance..it is a matter of scope of practice...(see above reference)
Do your self a favor folks, call 911 and stay out of the way...you cannot afford the lawsuit......you will be sued if you carry a license
) And that is when he was telling me about the law, then we learned about it in school. Just wanted to let you know :)
) And that is when he was telling me about the law, then we learned about it in school. Just wanted to let you know
cjar107013
40 Posts
I'm going to buck the most of the trend here and say don't be a hero. Rubberneckers don't always see good Samaritans and what would you really be able to do other than CPR? I'm not quite sure how much good CPR would do for an MVA. (This is all assuming the situation the OP described on a highway. If you don't hear EMS coming, sure, help out if you're comfortable with it.)