fooking sad
 

Went to dinner at Soup Plantation (chain restaurant, salad buffet) this evening. An old lady waiting in line two person in front of me fainted. I pitched my plate to try and catch her fall. I couldn't get her in time because she was just a tiny bit too far, but I did break her fall with my leg so she did not hit her head. This dumb ass 30 something year old man (if he can be called that?) just went around her to get his food and walked away. I held her head up off the ground as I try to look for help. The only other person that come to my aide was the girl busting tables. Everyone just stood there and watched or worst, walked around her to get their food. Her family, sister also an old lady, came and we walked her over to a seat. She started to faint again. This time, I got her and decided its best to allow her to lay on the ground slowly. I felt that she needed to not be up right but had her head on my lap. What's fooking sad was many of the young men were just looking on I had to yell at them to call 911 (thankfully others already did). I was struggling with her because she was heavy and I just don't know how to get at the dead weight without hurting her. A nurse finally came to help. One thing I did notice was no one was filming come to think of it now. I would have been pissed. What the hell happened to us?

Last sentence..damned good question. Maybe it's your area? Several years ago, while shopping Cindy fell, dinged up her knee. I got a call from a lady telling me what happened..that she was administering first aid. Small town vs. big city values?

This just in: a LOT of people suck and they’ve had kids.

This world has become a selfish "me first" society that thrives on instant gratification driven by technology.

Could it be that others saw that she was being helped by you and her sister? Someone had already called 911, they knew but you didn’t?

People tend to be good in general. An occasional a-hole but I wonder if your perception of the situation was worse than reality. No idea really, just offering another possibility.

Where to start?

Sheer stupidity to start with....not even understanding what their role is.

Couple that with the "me-first" attitude/personality.

Add lastly add in a missing "moral compass".

Right there is the cocktail we are dealing with in every day life.

Why do you think we have 520 posts (and counting) in the Pet Peeve thread?

Thanks for chipping in Jeff and helping that person. I admire your values, compassion, and survival skills.

I've read about men helping women and then getting sued for touching her breast during CPR.

First, there is a reaction that someone that considers themselves competent is already taking care of it.

Sometimes by not making it known you need additional help, it may not be obvious.

I had a problem where I hit the deck last year, the person that stopped to help was all I needed, a crowd of more people would not have improved things.

If you step in, don't be afraid to ask for help. Many people will help if you take charge and request it.

Last night I was at a restaurant and for some reason we haven't exactly figured out yet, I fainted while I was in the buffet line.

Thanks goodness a nice young man rushed over to provide assistance. Even though I was very woozy I'll never forget seeing other people around me who never lifted a finger or expressed an interest in helping myself and this nice young man who went out of his way to help.

It was as though I had inconvenienced them and was an obstacle between them and their food.

What's wrong with people that they can't take a minute out of their pathetic little lives to help someone out in an emergency?

I don't know how to contact the nice man who helped...I thought I heard someone call him Jeff. Just wanted to publicly thank him for his generosity, good will, and quick thinking.

I think some are afraid to help out of fear of being sued. All it takes is someone saying you stepped in without proper medical training and caused more injury. I'm not saying that would stop me from helping but I can see how it would stop others.

It’s people

I crashed a motorcycle once when I hit oil while breaking for the intersection
(A gas station on the corner had just been removed and the road was stained)

My bike slide into the intersection
Unbelievably it timed the lights perfectly and the other direction had not started moving yet

But then they did. They all started honking at me and trying to drive around shredded me and my busted bike

I’ll never forget that

Baz, my own perspective from being on the deck is that a crowd trying to help is additional stress, more questions, more difficult, more confusing.

One person helping, one person directing.

If Look needed additional help, he could have asked.

The only time I have seen the need for a crowd those there first called for help, so the crowd arrived, including me.

That was when a youngster at a race track went unconscious and exited a track full throttle, angled just right to miss all the barriers to stop him and instead continued full throttle into the parking lot.

We had to pick a SUV up and off him.

Once that was done, and I helped pick up the SUV there was already the track ambulance on the way, there were racers I knew had more medical knowledge than I had, so I left to get out of the way.

But Jorge you did your part

There was a car crash on the highway near our house.

We lived in the country so we all ran up to the highway
My daughter with medical training assessed each person

When the emergency crew arrived my daughte gave them the assessment of priorities and they quickly whisked the first person away

My wife played mom to the scared young girl and consoled her(she was in shock)
A neighbour got blankets

Btw, the teach for this very reason not to say “someone call 911”

Instead, you, man in the blue shirt, call 911. Did you call?

I didn’t want to be in the way so I got flashlights and directed traffic and recruited s few more volunteers from passing cars

Nobody was indifferent

Well said.

Hold on. While the goof balls that just stepped around to the feed bag seem a little selfish, most people are simple TERRIBLE in a crises. I have had a number of similar situations. The fact is, people just don't process these events well. In one situation, we had a group rafting on a river. A guy jumps in and breaks his neck. He almost drowned in front of 30 people until I said "what if Tom actually has a problem?"

It really may be more of a cognitive framing issue. Meaning, people simply don't know what box to put an emergency into.

Yes. There are selfish people. We all see them. Lots of people (many?) are good folks that would do something but don't know what to do. Or, they see you have it in control and don't want to further embarrass the victim.

I could be wrong in your situation. I am right in the emergencies that I have experienced.

1)- Good work. Would've been much worse without you.

2)- people are generally dip****s- thankfully you were there to help.

rjp

I get involved. I always have. I open doors for people. I help old ladies up stairs. If i see someone that needs help I hear my father's voice, "I'll kick you a$$ for not helping that person".

ALWAYS!! always help!!

i sometimes feel like i'm a mutant. i hope the old lady is okay. i have a soft spot for our elderly.

thanks Look. beer on me.

The bystander effect is actually pretty well researched in psychology.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201009/why-and-how-do-we-help

The lesson is if you're not feeling well in a crowded space you better point someone out directly and ask them for help. The more crowded the more important it is to single someone out. If not, the situation you witnessed is likely to repeat itself. Additionally if are like Look 171 and respond when others don't it's best to take control of the situation and start directing people to specific tasks.

Are there not "Good Samaratin" laws that prevent liability issues from arising in emergency situations?

I have witnessed countless traffic accidents and no matter what, even if I'm closest, there is always someone running to aid the injured. I look around to be sure someone is on the phone and sure enough, someone always is.

I've never been so close to a fainter as to be able to catch them or break their fall, but I would. So that's the difference, you were the one who was first.

The point is, when I see that all seems to be in order, I move on so as to not be part of a crowd of gawkers. I don't know that I'd have stepped around to get my food in this instance, but in this instance the restaurant personnel should have a plan. A plan to make the fallen patron more comfortable and a plan to restore order.

my mom had a stroke in the middle of San Fransisco's Go-to place for PRIME RIB.

i saw the full spectrum. some super helpful people, and even some annoyed we ruined the vibe of the meal.

since i hadnt even taken a bite of the meat..not a single one!! when she stroked..i was a bit annoyed. i just needed one more minute. ;)

People suck, mostly self involved sheep.

In a situation like that, take charge and tell the ones looking at you what to do, generally they will.

My experience has been the opposite. When out and about I continually see people being courteous, trying to be helpful, and in the rare cases I've seen trying to help people in trouble


Two notable exceptions to the people are generally decent sentiment are: while on the internet, and while driving

Most states, including California, have laws that prevent anyone being sued for making a good faith effort to assist someone in distress. Medical training is not required and you cannot be sued if you are honestly trying to help.

Yeah, but you live in Texas, it is like a whole other country.

BTW, as a practical matter, good samaritan laws do not apply to healthcare providers. You can be sued and your liability insurance generally does not apply unless you happen to be an ER doc

Misinformed, what a big surprise. :rolleyes:

Plenty of info here, all 50 states have these laws:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=do+good+samaritan+la ws+apply+to+doctors&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

And every serious car accident I've ever seen in CA. has too many people trying to assist. Total BS that people are not good here but feeds some right wing political narrative, I guess.

I had to look to be sure but it does appear each state has good Sam laws.

I did not know that. Thanks for the info Denis.

As I say, they typically do not apply to doctor. I am certain they do not in California or Texas, where I have practiced.

I am more inclined to listen to an attorney than the internet on this sort of deal.

Good chance to educate yourself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law
United States

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some type of Good Samaritan law. The details of good Samaritan laws/acts vary by jurisdiction, including who is protected from liability and under what circumstances.[24]

The 1996 Federal Emerson Act was intended to encourage donations of food and grocery products that meet quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state and local laws and regulations, by protecting the donor and the recipient agency against liability, excepting in the case of gross negligence and/or intentional misconduct. Prior to passage of the Emerson Act differences in language and applicability between states often discouraged national and regional companies from donating, resulting in otherwise usable food being sent to landfills.

The 1998 Aviation Medical Assistance Act also provided coverage for "Good Samaritans" while in flight (Section 5b) [25]

Yes, all 50 states have good samaritan laws, no, wikipedia is not a good source for making legal decisions. If you read the article linked, this ought to be clear.

Again, I am more inclined to listen to an attorney regarding legal matters. I know what the law is in Texas and California with respect to this.

Yep. You should always call your attorney before helping someone in an emergency.
Sorry I forgot to throw that in.

Exactly. :rolleyes:

He would be just the guy to let someone choke to death because he misunderstood the law. Physicians and other medical professionals are exempt like everyone else in emergency situations as long as it’s a true, random emergency and they are not treating the stricken person as a regular patient.

The only way he’d be liable is if one of his regular patients started screaming out in pain from bunions on a cross country flight and he applied the wrong Dr. Scholl’s pads.

And this could be part of the problem, your average Joe doesn't know about the good Sam law.

And +1 on asking for help, a lot of people may not have first aid and have no idea of what to do in an emergency (another good reason to send your kids to Scouts).

Listen to you licensed attorney and ignore the internet experts. But you knew that already. Astonishing that anyone would tell you different when your own attorney said no.

No Bob.

I talked to them about it before there was a possibility the situation could occur. Seems like that would be obvious to anyone who read the post to which you were responding, but apparently not.

That, and the average person that thinks they understand it are mistaken, as evidenced in this thread.

Or take a calculated risk, in the name of conscience and integrity to help somebody in need if the occasion should arise.

Or better yet, search for the actual written law. Took me about 10 seconds. He could have asked an attorney who graduated at the bottom of his class from the worst law school in the land and only pays bribes for some low life gangster in the White House.

Lawyers are like doctors. “What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class from med school?”

“Doctor.” :cool: