Thread: Doctor penalised for failing to assist after car crash

You know, the down side to this (excluding the death of course) is that by punishing the doctor, it won't make potential first aiders stop and render assistance in fear they might get punished if they don't, it will stop people from becoming involved at all.....they will just drive on and not even report it....if asked they will just say "what crash".....

Prima facea, i agree with the majority of views；
Docs risk analysis came out as High and she sought appropriate assistance
A radiologist is not likely to be an effective first aider, let alone paramedic equivalent

What stuns me is that the accident was in 2002!Hardly a reasonable timeframe for an investigation like this.

She was not a "doctor" for all intents and purposes.When doing one of my first aid courses i was very surprised to be told some doctors have been enrolled in first aid coursesMaybe they are out of practice with that aspect of medicine after years of taking temperatures and going "say ahhh"

Doctor or not you still have to apply a reasonable test and I seriously challenge anyone who has been up there to say they would do differently. In the article she went to the police and that was the right thing to do.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Totally unreasonable sanction on the medico.

Every basic life support course starts with an acronym along the lines of DRABC, the first letter D = danger, it was a dark dangerous place, the vehicle that nearly ran her off the road may have been an attempt to abduct her or something. R = Respond, it is important to get professional responders "with equipment" on the way, the medico didn't have a phone so went to the Police.

It is why very few medicos now have their cars plated with the Maltese Cross and snake device.

Actually R= Response , determine the injured persons level of response to stimuli and assess there level of consciousness.

Originally Posted by Kevin B

Actually R= Response , determine the injured persons level of response to stimuli and assess there level of consciousness.

And it is also taught to get a response under way, there is no point in single person first aid/resuscitation if the rescuer fatigues without having assistance on the way.

Also

Originally Posted by ÄPLS

The SAFE approach
S = Shout for help
A = Approach with care
F = Free from danger
E = Evaluate ABC

Some teach it as "shout and shake, to both elicit a response from the casualty and get a response underway. (Although the shake is problematic as some rescuers are over enthusiastic)

Originally Posted by SESIH BLS

If Unresponsive
• Shout for help;
• Note the time;
• Assess Airway, Breathing and Circulation;
• When more than one rescuer is present, one person should start BLS whilst the other should dial the emergency number for your facility or service;

www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/.../SESIH-Paediatric-BLS-Theoretical-Gui...

The best first aid course I ever had was when I worked at Ford. It was run buy two ambulance offices. One was actually a doctor but liked ambulance work. It was mainly play acting you were confronted with a situation and had to act accordingly it was a 4 day high intensity course. One thing the doctor said was the last thing you need is a general practice doctor on the scene. It was at the Ford proving ground. But also having worked up north in her situation she did the right thing.

To read the ruling search for Leila Dekker here

http://decisions.justice.wa.gov.au/S...n.nsf/main.xsp