GoBlue!:
That pretty much covers it for O2 use in emergencies as I recall. The low flow stuff was for the COPDer's and some post op patients.
Would you accept O2 without qualification?
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That pretty much covers it for O2 use in emergencies as I recall. The low flow stuff was for the COPDer's and some post op patients.
cornfed
Mindless lemming
I know, I just wanted explain for some people who weren't aware of the condition. Everyone gets oxygen. It's that simple.GoBlue!:
tinman694
Guest
That's why the wife and I are both medics--one can take care of the other and this argument would be null and void---GoBlue!:
Why would one withhold O2 from anyone???
If they are conscious, they get a NRB @ 15 lpm (That's Liters per minute) mask, if not conscious, BAG'EM....(With a bag valve mask)
Question...does DAN O2 cover simple airways as well???
(Oro and naso)?
cornfed
Mindless lemming
The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
10 years ago O2 was considered a "drug". You had to have a license to administer it. Good Samaritan laws do not allow you to prescribe drugs or do procedures that are not within reason. However, they do allow those who do not have a current CPR card to administer CPR to the best of their ability. As an First Aid/CPR instructor, I am held to a much higher standard for this kind of care, as are physicians. Any deviation from established procedures can provide an excuse for any litigation.
However, the state of Florida has wisely excluded Oxygen as being considered a drug. When it WAS considered such, an O2 provider who was not a physician could only place the mask within reach and make a statement about how many consider it useful for a dive related injury. It was a felony to place it on a victim's face. Heck, you were liable if you did CPR without a current card!
Unfortunately, old protocols die hard. Consequently, many years after the deregulation of Oxygen as a drug, we still have people who think in terms of "are you certified" as opposed to just giving the patient the stinking mask! These old attitudes also make it difficult to get your O2 bottle filled easily.
As for the different masks... you will only find a demand mask in my kit. One that allows me to ventilate a non breather as well. It uses O2 more efficiently, and the only reason to not have one is cost.
However, the state of Florida has wisely excluded Oxygen as being considered a drug. When it WAS considered such, an O2 provider who was not a physician could only place the mask within reach and make a statement about how many consider it useful for a dive related injury. It was a felony to place it on a victim's face. Heck, you were liable if you did CPR without a current card!
Unfortunately, old protocols die hard. Consequently, many years after the deregulation of Oxygen as a drug, we still have people who think in terms of "are you certified" as opposed to just giving the patient the stinking mask! These old attitudes also make it difficult to get your O2 bottle filled easily.
As for the different masks... you will only find a demand mask in my kit. One that allows me to ventilate a non breather as well. It uses O2 more efficiently, and the only reason to not have one is cost.
ba_hiker
Contributor
oxygen - i would take it from anyone who could assemble the gear or from my self if i was able.
good Samaritan laws in calif are quite strong and VIGERIOUSLY supported by law enforcement in ca. I know.
about 10 years ago I was the first uninvolved motorest at a 5 car accident, on hyw 101 north of santa rosa (about 100 miles north of san francisco). actually i was uninvolved only by chance, the victims cars went all around me.
i stopped and examined the wreckage. two cars had people that were uninjured, one was a roll over, one had collided with an embankment, and one (with two adults and three children) had been hit directly in the driver side.
a nurse was helping the rollover victims; i went to the car that hit the embankment. the driver had obvious serious head injuries. I did an initial assessment of level of consciousness, got three, the proceeded with a full assessment. after that completed I got into the car, performed c-spine, and waited for help which arrived.
15 min later a fire dept paramedic arrived and did LOC and got 1. then they airlifted the driver (and the driver of the rollover) to a hospital. both survived. my driver ended up with permanent neurological impairment.
highway patrol asked me a few questions then escorted me away (there were fire trucks, ambulances, and hwy patrol cars everywhere). they did not ask for my name or drivers license.
6 weeks later I got a call from the local DA who said I was being sued by the driver (who got my license plate number and ran it down). he said that as a matter of public policy and law he believed I had no problem and would like to defend me at the counties expense. I checked a bit and called him back and said go for it. there were three hearings and the DA was present at all. I was never required to appear.
the judge ordered the matter dropped, and reprimanded the driver.
the da explained that under their interpretation of the good Samaritan laws, if you did anything that you were trained for, or that common sense dictated or that seemed reasonable (to a person with you level of training and background). they (the county DAs office) considered that covered. they specifically wanted to be robust in their interpretation of the law.
good Samaritan laws in calif are quite strong and VIGERIOUSLY supported by law enforcement in ca. I know.
about 10 years ago I was the first uninvolved motorest at a 5 car accident, on hyw 101 north of santa rosa (about 100 miles north of san francisco). actually i was uninvolved only by chance, the victims cars went all around me.
i stopped and examined the wreckage. two cars had people that were uninjured, one was a roll over, one had collided with an embankment, and one (with two adults and three children) had been hit directly in the driver side.
a nurse was helping the rollover victims; i went to the car that hit the embankment. the driver had obvious serious head injuries. I did an initial assessment of level of consciousness, got three, the proceeded with a full assessment. after that completed I got into the car, performed c-spine, and waited for help which arrived.
15 min later a fire dept paramedic arrived and did LOC and got 1. then they airlifted the driver (and the driver of the rollover) to a hospital. both survived. my driver ended up with permanent neurological impairment.
highway patrol asked me a few questions then escorted me away (there were fire trucks, ambulances, and hwy patrol cars everywhere). they did not ask for my name or drivers license.
6 weeks later I got a call from the local DA who said I was being sued by the driver (who got my license plate number and ran it down). he said that as a matter of public policy and law he believed I had no problem and would like to defend me at the counties expense. I checked a bit and called him back and said go for it. there were three hearings and the DA was present at all. I was never required to appear.
the judge ordered the matter dropped, and reprimanded the driver.
the da explained that under their interpretation of the good Samaritan laws, if you did anything that you were trained for, or that common sense dictated or that seemed reasonable (to a person with you level of training and background). they (the county DAs office) considered that covered. they specifically wanted to be robust in their interpretation of the law.
Seabear70
Guest
ba_hiker:
You pointed out a serious problem with trying to help anyone.
No one is to blame anymore. The driver that you helped could have been trying to commit suicide and failed and since you prevented his success, you must be to blame for his injury.
Most people say they find that kind of behavior repugnant, but why is it that only people who find it to be a good Idea get in the situations where they can attempt to sue for their own stupidity and selfishness?
Me, I'll help. But I keep a good lawyer on retainer.
ba_hiker
Contributor
yea, lots of possiblities. I still am sad for the problems and pain... rescuers remorse. I did help several people and am glad i did. the CHP and paramedics were all very supportive. THe DA was great.
but the real point was that at least according to the officials that i have contacted, go for it. provide aid, to the level of your training and common sense. If you do, expect the good samaratian laws to work. at least in northern ca. I suspect thats true many more places, but only have real info for ca. The officials want to know that compitant people will provide aid for them and their children too. Here its considered important public policy to support that.
If there is oxygen available, in a scuba enviornment (with generally healthy more or less adults), if it seems approprate provide oxygen.
Adults with COPD and infants are a different, but you rarely find them on dives.
btw: i am not a doctor or a lawer, and this is a share of my experiences, not legal or medical advice. but everyone here klnows that already.
but the real point was that at least according to the officials that i have contacted, go for it. provide aid, to the level of your training and common sense. If you do, expect the good samaratian laws to work. at least in northern ca. I suspect thats true many more places, but only have real info for ca. The officials want to know that compitant people will provide aid for them and their children too. Here its considered important public policy to support that.
If there is oxygen available, in a scuba enviornment (with generally healthy more or less adults), if it seems approprate provide oxygen.
Adults with COPD and infants are a different, but you rarely find them on dives.
btw: i am not a doctor or a lawer, and this is a share of my experiences, not legal or medical advice. but everyone here klnows that already.
NetDoc:
Depends on the state. Some states view healthcare providers as laymen if responding to an emergency offduty. Unfortunately, not all.
NetDoc:
I'd be curious if any Florida attorneys could point to any legal cases where this was actually enforced & someone was either charged with a felony for administering O2 or providing CPR. Can't imagine it.
NetDoc:
I see nothing wrong with some sort of certification to be able to get a bottle filled for medical oxygen use. Administering oxygen is a different story, and I think all the hooplah around certification is going a bit overboard.
Jim
RIDIVER501
Contributor
First comment: Polls should be more specific. I answered it making alot of assumptions but I still responded to the poll.
Secondly: with all the continuing education on the benefits of O2 if available to Divers with suspected DCS. I wouldn't care who was giving the O2 to me as along as there was O2 to be had.
Most people we deal with every day for service related things, are either not qualified or barely qualified to provide those services, yet we readily accept those services becuase of their convenience. Something to think about next time you hit the drive-thru window.
Secondly: with all the continuing education on the benefits of O2 if available to Divers with suspected DCS. I wouldn't care who was giving the O2 to me as along as there was O2 to be had.
Most people we deal with every day for service related things, are either not qualified or barely qualified to provide those services, yet we readily accept those services becuase of their convenience. Something to think about next time you hit the drive-thru window.
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