Now here's a toughy

[marineman]

I know I am just a student (and some people could give a rats a$s on what I think), but are EMT-(A,B,C..Z)'s considered "licensed in the healing arts..." or just life support as some of my instructors have said?

And another question. If I have to be employed by an EMS service to be an EMT, then would it not make sense that if I am off duty I am not an EMT since I am not working under that service at the moment? (all depending on your duty to act laws).

I'm sure the law defines somewhere what is meant by the term "licensed in the healing arts" but in my state yes EMT's are grouped into the same general bunch.

As for being licensed when not working, if you had a great lawyer you could probably argue that point, the problem is if the other side had a mediocre lawyer they could destroy you on that point. Best off not getting yourself into the headache. If you plan on stopping at a scene while off duty contact your lawmakers and get a straight answer from them as they will better be able to provide the definitions for you.

 

[MagicTyler]

"Persons not liscensed in the healing arts who in good faith administer emergency care"

LOL, sorry that just reminds me of something you'd here in Harry Potter just replace "healing" with "magical".

I know, I'm a nerd...

 

[akflightmedic]

As for the original question, here is the simple solution.


When you arrive on scene, never commit your hands to holding cspine. Plain and simple.

Instruct them to not move, not twist, etc. When adequate help arrives, then ask them if they would like for you to hold Cspine while they do their thing.

WHy on earth would you commit yourself to holding someone's head when you do not know how long you will be there for starters, plus it puts yourself in a precarious situation. I am not even talking about the legal issues/liability here, I am talking about something on the scene changing.

How many times have rubber neckers crashed into cars that were involved in MVCs. It happens more often than you realize.

If I am on an accident scene, I will instruct them to sit still. I will do an assessment to brief the arriving crew so they can prepare for whatever it is quicker. For example in my state, as soon as they arrive I could identify myself and say call a Trauma Alert. Or I could tell dispatch that over the phone as well.

But after doing a quick assessment, I will then step back and continuously assess the scene for any changes which may endanger MY life/safety as well as the victims.

 

[mycrofft]

Given the original post as the working info...

You do not know if contestant, er, pt #1 has a sore neck or a traumatic c spine transection or what. The majority of neck injuries are not life threatening, despite "hidden" cervical injury being one of the prime reasons EMT's were invented. A painful neck, if you have experienced one, will tend to force you to adopt a pain-neutral attitude, given you aren't high or in shock.
Many apparent traumatic codes also are actually due to airway embarassment (teeth, blood, tongue, etc) and can be addressed somewhat cursorially with airway clearance, some rescue breaths and perhaps a round of compressions, then leave in a position to allow airway (recovery position, or supine but with head a little hyperextended).

These are not your normal everyday things to do, they are the "oh criminy it's in the fire now" deal and you need to address this concern wiht your company because you could be stuck the same way with too few EMT's and too many casualties.

However, you are the person on the spot, you have to do what your training and personal decision-making dictate. Wish you good luck.

 

[eggshen]

Boring conversation anyway...Luke, we're gonna have company!

Egg

 

[firecoins]

This is all how common sense would dictate these things be handled right? I wish that your case was the same as ours in California, but the high court here ruled in favor of a women suing her friend/co-worker who tried to rescue her after an accident. There was a thread about this in the News forum.

I am very aware of the case. Good sam laws do not protect trained people in NY. I am trained and so are you. In NY we would have been liable even if this case never happaned. I still stop.

In the California case these people were friends, hence they knew each other.
This of course has been contrary to ever piece of experience I have had. Would this woman had stopped to help if the victim was not her friend? Probably not.

Good sam laws never truly protected people from legal responsibility. You can always sue people as long as your attorney can make a good argument.