Montreal: "We'll just watch this man die, thank you very much

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by chummer

Well do you mean CPR or mouth to mouth?
Even with CPR the chances of him living are something like 2%.
What he needed was a defibrillator and that would be the first thing I would
look for.

I mean mouth to mouth

[troutman]

The first thing our Tort professor told us in first year law (sadly) was not to assist someone in trouble because you could end up getting sued yourself.

That is where Good Samaritan laws come in:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law

A good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for wrongdoing. Its purpose is to keep people from being reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions should they make some mistake in treatment.[2] By contrast, a duty to rescue law requires people to offer assistance, and holds those who fail to do so liable.

In Canada, good Samaritan acts fall under provincial jurisdiction. Each province has its own act, such as Ontario[6] and British Columbia's[7] respective Good Samaritan Acts, Alberta's Emergency Medical Aid Act,[8] and Nova Scotia's Volunteer Services Act[9] Only in Quebec, a civil law jurisdiction, does a person have a general duty to respond, as detailed in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.[10][11]

[troutman]

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/E07.pdf


EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID ACT

Protection from action
2
If, in respect of a person who is ill, injured or unconscious as the result of an accident or other emergency,

(a) a physician, registered health discipline member, or registered nurse voluntarily and without expectation of
compensation or reward renders emergency medical services or first aid assistance and the services or
assistance are not rendered at a hospital or other place having adequate medical facilities and equipment, or

(b) a person other than a person mentioned in clause (a) voluntarily renders emergency first aid assistance and that
assistance is rendered at the immediate scene of the accident or emergency, the physician, registered health
discipline member, registered nurse or other person is not liable for damages for injuries to or the death
of that person alleged to have been caused by an act or omission on his or her part in rendering the medical services
or first aid assistance, unless it is established that the injuries or death were caused by gross negligence on his or her part

[Travis Munroe]

I wouldnt have a clue what to do other than dial 911 and take potential instructions.
Less than 2 weeks ago I was by the husky in woodbine and watched as a suv hit a pedestrian. My reaction was to pull my car into the middle of the intersection to stop traffic (looking back was stupid as there was no need to block every direction) and then I got out and called 911.
Are you supposed to move them, leave them lying there, (in the OP, perform CPR or mouth to mouth). Even with a first aid course to my name, it is a surreal situation and the only guarantee I have is 911.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

The first thing out Tort professor told us in first year law (sadly) was not to assist someone in trouble because you could end up getting sued yourself.

That is where Good Samaritan laws come in:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law

A good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for wrongdoing. Its purpose is to keep people from being reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions should they make some mistake in treatment.[2] By contrast, a duty to rescue law requires people to offer assistance, and holds those who fail to do so liable.

In Canada, good Samaritan acts fall under provincial jurisdiction. Each province has its own act, such as Ontario[6] and British Columbia's[7] respective Good Samaritan Acts, Alberta's Emergency Medical Aid Act,[8] and Nova Scotia's Volunteer Services Act[9] Only in Quebec, a civil law jurisdiction, does a person have a general duty to respond, as detailed in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.[10][11]

I remember that.

Things have come a long way since then, but I recall at the time when I took a first aid course for various volunteer work that I did that the First Aid instructor literally told us:

"If you see someone who needs help and you're in the United States, ignore them and just keep going."

He did specifically state the US, not Canada. I think every province has some sort of 'Good Samaritan' statute? Not sure about that.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Locke

Was he wearing a Leaf's jersey?

No but he was foaming at the mouth, so that probably played a role.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think every province has some sort of 'Good Samaritan' statute? Not sure about that.

Except for Nunavut, Yukon and New Brunswick.

They will provide protection so long as you acted without the expectation of reward or compensation. The exception to the law is when someone's actions are found to constitute gross negligence, then you can be held accountable for your actions.

[combustiblefuel]

I am not surprised no one helped him. The first thing they teach to in First aid classes is.... Your health safety first. The symptoms he was showing showed it it was not safe for any one except a trained medical professionals to take action. Head injury- can't move move him. Blood- no gloves present = can't deal with the wound with out rush to yourself. There had to be some one that had enhanced First aid at one point or another but you just are not in that position to help like a trains professional . That is what they make clear when you take the various levels of First aid.

[EldrickOnIce]

It is interesting that there is a 'duty' to respond in Quebec, based on civil code. But as has been suggested, that duty must not compromise protection of ones own self, so I am certain a 911 call fulfills that duty, both morally and in civil law in Quebec.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Are you supposed to move them, leave them lying there, (in the OP, perform CPR or mouth to mouth). Even with a first aid course to my name, it is a surreal situation and the only guarantee I have is 911.

Unless there is an immediate danger for them being there you would never move someone who could have a potential serious injury. This is an irrational fear of mine, being hurt and someone who doesn't know what they are doing, moving me and then I am paralyzed or something.