The Good Samaritan Law

First aid training

Before going any further one must be familiar about certain legal aspects in providing emergency care. Bear in mind that there is always a treat of being sued even when helping someone during an emergency. This usually happens when the care provided has done more harm than good and is not in accordance with the scope of training on first aid and said acts resulted to damage or injury.

Frankly speaking, no one is required to provider first aid care to a victim of injury or illness unless that person has the duty to act. This is based on legal matters. But if we consider our values and morals, I believe that we as an individual, have the moral obligation to assist any person in an emergency.

Laws vary from country to country, from state to sate. Generally, the Good Samaritan law provides protection to any first aider at a certain degree. In fact, if you have read the bible, this law was actually derive from a parable. The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The Good Samaritan law protects any rescuer as long as the following conditions apply

The rescuer is:

• acting during the emergency
  
• acting in good faith which means the intentions were good
• not being paid for the act
• with no malicious intent or misconduct
• acting in accordance with the scope of first aid training and no negligence towards the victim

It is very important to note that the first aider must have proper knowledge and training on different first aid procedures to avoid causing injury or further harm to the victim. Remember that the Good Samaritan Law, protects the individual only for as long as the provider or first aider acted in accordance with proper first aid procedures.

One more thing, remember that consent is necessary to provide first aid care.

First aid training