Medical emergencies can occur at any place and time, prompting you to take action and provide first aid or CPR depending on the situation. When you take a CPR class, the professionals at Quick CPR take the time to teach you about the rules of consent, which means asking for permission. However, most people who lack first aid training can violate the laws of consent without their knowledge, leading to legal action and other issues.
The basic premise regarding consent requires the victim to decide what happens to their bodies. With this in mind, it is considered unethical to provide care to someone without their permission. When you find yourself in an emergency, it can be challenging to ask for approval depending on the severity of the situation, raising confusion on what to do next.
If the victim is above eighteen years and is responsive, you can ask them if you can provide them with emergency care. Start by introducing yourself and explaining the level of training you have received. If you have a CPR certification or first aid training, ensure they understand your qualification and what you intend to do before asking if you can help.
Victims below eighteen years are a different case, and a parent or guardian should grant permission. Our CPR classes cover all the bases, from asking for consent to providing the necessary care based on your assessment. This is an excellent way of gaining the victim's trust and reassuring them before receiving professional medical care.
An unresponsive victim of eighteen years can be given care without explicit consent, also known as implied consent. This means that an assumption is made on what the victim would have said if they were conscious. Providing care to an unresponsive victim doesn't mean you are violating their rights, and therefore no legal action can follow afterward.
The humane thing to do for a bit of suffering a life-threatening emergency is to help them, especially if the guardian is not present. If the guardian is present, it is crucial to ask for consent before providing care. On the other hand, a victim below eighteen years and doesn't have a guardian or parent can receive care until professional medics arrive.
Implied consent is usually used to justify emergencies where the victim can't speak for themselves, allowing you to save their lives, assuming that's what they would have wanted you to do. These are some of the vital considerations first responders to any medical emergency need to consider before providing emergency care. When you sign up for CPR classes or first aid training at Quick CPR, you are guaranteed quality, individualized training that caters to your needs. Call us today to learn more about our programs, and enjoy quality services at competitive rates.