How can you just ''walk on by''...? (Page 1/3)
TheDigitalAlchemist APR 09, 08:40 AM
Went to a park with my family over the weekend and we came upon a man. he was lying face down in the grass. NOT moving. There were a bunch of people ahead of us that just walked past him. Some looked down at him, but no one slowed down and no one called anyone. He didn't look like he was sleeping, and didn't look "desheveled". Weren't any "open cans or bottles" nearby. Called for help. They said they would send someone.


Not trying to get him "busted", but if he had diabeties and had low sugar or somethin'...
As we left, it appeared that one of his feet was in a slightly different position, but its not normal to "rest" with your face positioned like that.
"Don't want to get involved" was a valid mindset before this Covid stuff. Probably easier to do while wearin' a mask. For some.


I dunno.
blackrams APR 09, 08:48 AM

quote
Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist:

Went to a park with my family over the weekend and we came upon a man. he was lying face down in the grass. NOT moving. There were a bunch of people ahead of us that just walked past him. Some looked down at him, but no one slowed down and no one called anyone. He didn't look like he was sleeping, and didn't look "desheveled". Weren't any "open cans or bottles" nearby. Called for help. They said they would send someone.


Not trying to get him "busted", but if he had diabeties and had low sugar or somethin'...
As we left, it appeared that one of his feet was in a slightly different position, but its not normal to "rest" with your face positioned like that.
"Don't want to get involved" was a valid mindset before this Covid stuff. Probably easier to do while wearin' a mask. For some.


I dunno.




No one knows. Personally, I'd have called 911 and checked him for vital signs. Not suggesting anything about him. If, getting "busted" was to be, well that's the risk one runs. You could have saved a life or, helped one get back on track. Or, maybe your actions just got a body help get buried. Regardless of the outcome, you did right as far as I'm concerned.

Rams
LitebulbwithaFiero APR 09, 08:56 AM
So what is the correct thing to do?

Do you immediately go in to check for a pulse?

Do you nudge them with your foot and ask if they are okay?

Do you call 911 without making any attempt to see if they need medical help?

I would have to see the situation to guess how I would react to it. Worry of getting someone busted would not be an issue to me.
sourmash APR 09, 09:37 AM
Nothing wrong with a wellness check. Here it would commonly go to a nearby firehouse to come check. probably First Responders?

Lots of mentally I'll and medicated people roaming around.
Jake_Dragon APR 09, 10:13 AM
Yell at him, ask him several times if he is ok.
if he doesn't respond call 911 and tell them due to Covid you are not prepared to render aid.

Its messed up. I miss the world I grew up in, never thought I would say that.
blackrams APR 09, 10:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by Jake_Dragon:

Yell at him, ask him several times if he is ok.
if he doesn't respond call 911 and tell them due to Covid you are not prepared to render aid.

Its messed up. I miss the world I grew up in, never thought I would say that.



Step 3: Check his wallet, wrist and neck for health warnings

OK, checking for his ID and any medical warnings. Although, cash and credit cards do give one insight into the person.

Breathing and pulse first. If worried about COVID, just call 911,
I was joking about the wallet, let the LEOs or First Responders do that.

Rams

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-09-2021).]

olejoedad APR 09, 10:55 AM
Nothing new in the big cities.

I was walking down a sidewalk in NYC in 1968, there was a guy passed out in the middle of the sidewalk (early afternoon, spring day) and people just stepped over him.

This wasn't in the Bowery, this was on E. 42nd Street, a couple of blocks from the UN.

A real eye-opener for a teenage kid from a small town in Indiana.....
sourmash APR 09, 10:57 AM
Someone I know used to say that you have the right to pursue happiness, but that implies that you can pursue unhappiness as well.
Jake_Dragon APR 09, 11:08 AM
Life is messy.
Before Covid I would not have hesitated to render aid, it will be a hard habit to break.
I am use to running into the fire when everyone is running away.

From memory
Verbally address the person, gently shake them
Check for signs of life.
Check for medical assist bracelet
if they are breathing but struggling roll them on to their side
Only move them if you have to.
Look at someone and tell them to call 911 while you stay buy the person and prepare to give aid.

Having been through several first aid classes things change. Chest compressions are all that are being shown now, no more mouth to mouth.
The idea is to keep the blood moving and the compressions will pull some air into the lungs. Mouth to mouth can cause the person to throw up and then choke to death.

Its a hard world. I would probably just call 911 and follow instructions to the point I felt my life could be in danger.
maryjane APR 09, 11:11 AM

quote
Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist:

Went to a park with my family over the weekend and we came upon a man. he was lying face down in the grass. NOT moving. There were a bunch of people ahead of us that just walked past him. Some looked down at him, but no one slowed down and no one called anyone. He didn't look like he was sleeping, and didn't look "desheveled". Weren't any "open cans or bottles" nearby. Called for help. They said they would send someone.


Not trying to get him "busted", but if he had diabeties and had low sugar or somethin'...
As we left, it appeared that one of his feet was in a slightly different position, but its not normal to "rest" with your face positioned like that.
"Don't want to get involved" was a valid mindset before this Covid stuff. Probably easier to do while wearin' a mask. For some.


I dunno.



Common but valid?

A matter of personal ethics I suppose. Many states (including NY) have Good Samaritan Laws holding anyone giving aid harmless or immune to civil suitas long as the care is not given in a reckless/gross negligence manner. (Some of the statutes I'm familiar with tho, also do NOT 'require' a bystander to render aid.)


Some Good Samaritan Laws are more detailed than others.
Texas' is relatively simple.
"Persons not licensed or certified in the healing arts who in good faith administer emergency care as emergency medical service personnel are not liable in civil damages for an act performed in administering the care unless the act is wilfully or wantonly negligent. This section applies without regard to whether the care is provided for or in expectation of remuneration."

https://recreation-law.com/...ritan-laws-by-state/


There are other statutes that address Failure to Stop and Render Aid if one is involved in causing the medical emergency or other kinds of accidents.

One would almost believe tho, the current common response is to just stand back, video the event and post it on youtube without doing anything to help the person.
It's easy enough tho, to take 2 minutes to check a person's pulse and respiratory function and call 911 immediately. Taking a small risk even in the covid era is IMO, a no brainer. Do it.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 04-09-2021).]