Man In Pool of Blood: Do You Walk By or Help?? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

ynwa03 · 04-24-2010, 11:31 PM

I really thought this kind of thing only happened in frustrating movie scenes, where you can't figure out why no one is able to use common sense.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_550854.html

wooohooo · 04-24-2010, 11:49 PM

For some reason the video isn't playing for me.

But sounds like it has some resemblance to the Kitty Genovese case. No one came to help her while she was being assulted in NYC. Tragic indeed.

From my psychology course or sociology (can't remember which) I believe they attributed it to a diffusion of responsibility. Which is where the more people you have, the less likely victims will get help. People will think someone else will do it and so forth... They call the effect where no one really know what to do so they look at other people Pluarlistic ignorance.

It's really tragic, and I don't know WTF the man with the camera is doing.

BlackArcher101 · 04-24-2010, 11:49 PM

Well, in their defense, he was a homeless man lying on a sidewalk with only the pool of blood visible if turned over.

A homeless guy lying there is probably an everyday occurence.

malcolmk14 · 04-24-2010, 11:50 PM

I don't know, the article doesn't really make it clear whether or not it was obvious that the guy needed help. In NY or other major cities it's not uncommon to see homeless people passed out on the sidewalk at 5 in the morning.

To be honest, I probably would have walked right by too, unless it was clear that the guy needed help. You can't stop and check on every single person that's asleep on the sidewalk.

In Chicago a couple months ago, I was talking to some people about the guys who fall asleep on the subway. They could die there and I'm sure no one would notice until their bodies started to rot.

worth · 04-25-2010, 12:26 AM

I've experienced similar things with traffic accidents. There was one outside my work. By the time I got to the scene there was a crowd of people watching. People are afraid to do something wring and they feel as hough the more people around them, he more likely there is someone else who is more qualified to handle the situation.

I would like to think I would act in a responsible manner.

In this situation it has everything to do with whether the man is clearly in distress or not. Is there blood visible? If so then I'm sure I'd help. I'd it was a homeless man passed out on the sidewalk at 6 am then no, I probably wouldn't. It really all depend on the circumstances. Is it out of the ordinary or not? In San Fran, I saw tons of homeless people passed out on the sidewalk.

In this case, it really depend if it's obvious or not if the man needed help. The article isn't clear on that.

Thor · 04-25-2010, 12:31 AM

Poke him with a stick and have Fred Savage do the voice over?

ma-skis.com · 04-25-2010, 01:20 AM

Call the authorities and stay nearby until they arrive. Try not to put your self in a situation where you would be at risk... What if he turned out to be a zombie. You don't need to be in arms reach for that.

ma-skis.com · 04-25-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooohooo

But sounds like it has some resemblance to the Kitty Genovese case. No one came to help her while she was being assulted in NYC. Tragic indeed.

It's really tragic, and I don't know WTF the man with the camera is doing.

I read that that case from a different perspective. Supposedly, the incident was blown out of proportion and filed oncorrectly in terms of the number of witnesses.(or something like that) --superfreakonomics

not sure if I agree. But t provides another perspective on the situation.

Maybe we need a good Samaritan law a la Seinfeld

burnin_vernon · 04-25-2010, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

Poke him with a stick and have Fred Savage do the voice over?

I'd get Richard Dreyfuss instead

Huntingwhale · 04-25-2010, 01:49 AM

I'd call the cops.

troutman · 04-25-2010, 09:23 AM

Sadly, my first year torts professor said, no we should not help.

doozwimp · 04-25-2010, 09:32 AM

walk away...and laugh

icecube · 04-25-2010, 09:38 AM

Calling 911 is the smartest move. I'm no paramedic and I'm not gonna risk hurting myself or making things worse for the person.

Daniel Stern was actually the one doing the wonder years voice over btw.

Props to Dreyfus for the second best voice over

Old Yeller · 04-25-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Sadly, my first year torts professor said, no we should not help.

We'd be sued for disturbing his peaceful nap?

dissentowner · 04-25-2010, 11:11 AM

If he looks like a homeless guy then I keep walking. If he looks like he is more wealthy then that then I check his wallet for cash, his pockets for change, then keep walking.

Resolute 14 · 04-25-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Sadly, my first year torts professor said, no we should not help.

IIRC, in Alberta there is a general immunity for good samaritans in case they make things worse while trying to help, no? Not sure how far reaching that is, however.

I've put myself into some stupid situations in the past helping a stranger, and expect I would do so again in the future if faced with the situation again.

Though I suppose it would be situational too. I got between a guy threatening his mother once (punk backed off the second I showed up too... f'ing coward), but if two guys are going at it in the parking lot, I'd probably watch and let them sort it out themselves.

Locke · 04-25-2010, 12:19 PM

How much blood are we talking about here? What colour is it?

Redliner · 04-25-2010, 12:49 PM

Alberta does indeed have a good samaritan law, called the Emergency Medical Aid act.

http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/sta...000-c-e-7.html

Basically, if you provide assistance to someone in an emergent situation you are not liable for hurting or killing them unless it can be proved that you were grossly negligent.

That said, you are not legally required to provide help either, so you can stand there and watch someone die if you like.

There are always things to consider if you find yourself in a situation like this. Blood, saliva, and vomit present a risk of contracting HIV or other diseases, and you could be putting yourself at considerable risk in providing first aid. I would hope that most people would choose to help out if they could, but be smart about it.

Locke · 04-25-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Sadly, my first year torts professor said, no we should not help.

This is what I've been told throughout several first aid courses as well. Particularly in the US.

While 'Good Samaritan' laws exist, any half decent lawyer will tear them to shreds and your ass will wind up getting sued.

Honestly, a First Aid instructor specifically said not to provide First Aid to anyone in the US because its virtually SOP to sue the first person trying to help if anything goes wrong.

NuclearFart · 04-25-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

This is what I've been told throughout several first aid courses as well. Particularly in the US.

While 'Good Samaritan' laws exist, any half decent lawyer will tear them to shreds and your ass will wind up getting sued.

Honestly, a First Aid instructor specifically said not to provide First Aid to anyone in the US because its virtually SOP to sue the first person trying to help if anything goes wrong.

Has there ever actually been a case in North America of a CPR provider being successfully sued? The rumor in the medical community is no.....