Reimburse Good Samaritans?

[captndale]

My daddy told me, "Do good to all men, but, in the end, always remember to collect your fee."

 

[flots am]

If I save (or attempt to save) your life by applying my one-use/disposable AED electrode patches, and provide you with oxygen, do you have an ethical duty to financially compensate me for my actual expenses, ie new patches and an oxygen refill?

If I spent $1600 on an AED, another $400 on an O2 kit and another few hundred on training and was then able to save somebody's life, I wouldn't give a rat's ass if I got back the $50 worth of consumables.

flots.

 

[doc8425]

solid gold and one times use lift bag.

Where do you get one of those??? Sounds like "Gotta' have gear" to me! HA HA HA

 

[lsorenson]

I have not read the thread you are referring to but... What ever happened with helping out one another just because we could? I believe we (this country) have become so self indulged that many out there MIGHT hand the person they just saved a itemized list of expenditures!

What if I pull over and help an elderly couple who had the misfortune of having a flat in the middle of nowhere? Should I ask them for an hours pay? Should that hours pay be what my company charges my customer (550.00 an hour) or my hourly pay???

I think it should all come down to self satisfaction knowing that I/you had the ability to help out someone that truly needed help whether it was their own fault or not! Feel good about the moment cause if it was to ever happen to me and I needed some help, the last thing I would want if for that person to worry about how much it might cost to refill that pony that I desperately needed!!!

I did get in a jam once and needed a hand... My buddy gave me his pony and it got me to the top! (nother story) I offered to refill that pony which was turned down as I would have done but I think this is more of a; I am here for you and you will be there for me type of attitude!!! At least it is in my mind... On the other hand, if I was aware you were out of pocket for helping me out, I would offer to repay in some fashion e.g. replenish what you gave me, buy you dinner, a case of beer, never forgetting you were there for me when I needed you...!!!

I just don't know why we can't help each other out anymore...!

Respectfully, lee

Another thread (closed) had this post re: reimbursement for expenses expended by a good samaritan:

"Why should they? I don't think anyone was forced to offer their assistance at the beginning of this thing. They were helping in a situation that is of their expertise."

I believe that statement represents a lot of sentiment held by the public. Is it ethically sound?

If I save (or attempt to save) your life by applying my one-use/disposable AED electrode patches, and provide you with oxygen, do you have an ethical duty to financially compensate me for my actual expenses, ie new patches and an oxygen refill?

Do many grateful survivors have a blind spot and fail to even consider restitution?

 

[skankpile]

Personally I put this into a few frameworks in my paradigm:

-Social Contract, in a civilized society we should work to help the benefit of others, not solely for monetary value, but for the betterment of ourselves as a whole... not in a socialist way, but in a naturalist way (John Locke's view).

-Morally, as a mature self-aware individual you will value life as the most important over property and baring self-preservation gladly help with actions willingly passe of the petty repercussions for the greater good; else you are of no use but the servitude of your labor and you live in ignorance with your idols.

This also puts the Spree at the top of my list (feeding pt# 1, but in a karma sort of way)

 

[SCUBASailor]

My wife had a blowout in her car once. By the time I arrived, a very nice couple had already changed her tire. They were very young, and by appearances, did not have much money. I offered to pay them for their kindness, but they refused. I asked if they would at least let me buy them breakfast. They did accept that. That restored a lot of my faith in the human race.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Would it further restore you faith in the human race if you bought me breakfast? :joke:

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

I won't speak about helping change a tire, donating a few dollars worth of gas or anything like that. The thread that brought this topic out is very unique. As I posted earlier I'm out maybe 500 bucks. My buddy that asked me to help spent probably 4k out of his own pocket in Trimix fills ( 1300 alone for camera dives ) nitrox and lodging others. I think he went well beyond good morals. I think he should have been paid, I know the money isn't important to him but that's a lot of money to most people. My job there is done, even with new information it would take money to get me to go back. And maybe someone buying breakfast.

 

[Orlando Eric]

When I was in sales I drove all over the state south of Gainesville. I put out many cars with disposable halon extinquishers and they got expensive. I can certainley see someone who is around this sort of thing often and forks out $50.00 worth of stuff few times a month it gets old paying to restock without a single person offering $$$.

Of course if you jump in and do something you have not right to expect it. Hmm although the trauma hawke flies you to St mary's and you get a HUGE HUGE HUGE bill without a upfront estimate.... hmmmm

 

[lsorenson]

Kevin, This is why I stated on my last post that I had not and still have not read the thread you are referring to... (post the link please) With the amounts you are stating, these are numbers I am not familiar with in terms of diving unless it includes several days on a live aboard.

Maybe if I knew the whole story I would change my mind as I do believe in the good Samaritan act... but I carry DAN insurance just in case I ever run into trouble and needed medical attention above and beyond what is available but... I doubt I would help anybody much with their medical bills due to a diving mishap! Of course, this is subject to change at any moment due to so many variables!!!

Eric, I am over 50 and I doubt I have seen more than two or three engine fires in my entire life but maybe I have been lucky... If I was to run into as many fires as yourself I think I would just carry a few buckets of baking soda...

lee

I won't speak about helping change a tire, donating a few dollars worth of gas or anything like that. The thread that brought this topic out is very unique. As I posted earlier I'm out maybe 500 bucks. My buddy that asked me to help spent probably 4k out of his own pocket in Trimix fills ( 1300 alone for camera dives ) nitrox and lodging others. I think he went well beyond good morals. I think he should have been paid, I know the money isn't important to him but that's a lot of money to most people. My job there is done, even with new information it would take money to get me to go back. And maybe someone buying breakfast.

When I was in sales I drove all over the state south of Gainesville. I put out many cars with disposable halon extinquishers and they got expensive. I can certainley see someone who is around this sort of thing often and forks out $50.00 worth of stuff few times a month it gets old paying to restock without a single person offering $$$.