When do-gooders go wild

Thank goodness for folks like Kate Kerwin, who saw past the BS and pushed long and hard to get the law changed

By Art Hsieh

Sometimes, it's simply amazing how overboard we can go while being politically correct. This article is one beautiful example of do-gooders going wild. A quick summary:

1. A golf course has AEDs available on site. Check.
2. The golf course has many staffers trained in CPR and the use of an AED. Check.
3. The local EMS system knows that the golf course has AEDs and trained responders on site and can notify them if something happens on the property, so a prompt life-saving response can occur. Check.
4. Local laws prevented the 911 center to make that call because of privacy issues. What the foolishness?!

Thank goodness for folks like Kate Kerwin, who saw past the BS and pushed long and hard to get the law changed.

No doubt it made her a bit of a pain in some people's eyes, but those folks really needed that poke to come to their senses.

I don't know about you, but if I am having my sudden cardiac arrest, I want EVERYONE to come join my party. It'll even be more fun if someone brought an AED that may literally only be a few yards from me.

I would imagine that most reasonable people would want that to happen, and privacy could take a back seat just for that moment.

Lesson learned? If it's not right, fix it. No doubt folks could simply have sat around and complained about the problem.

Solving the issue seems much more satisfying. And the result of better outcomes from cardiac arrest is all the better.

About the author

EMS1 Editor in Chief Art Hsieh, MA, NREMT-P currently teaches at the Public Safety Training Center, Santa Rosa Junior College in the Emergency Care Program. In the profession since 1982, Art has worked as a line medic and chief officer in the private, third service and fire-based EMS. He has directed both primary and EMS continuing education programs. Art is a published textbook author, has presented at conferences nationwide, and continues to provide patient care at a rural hospital-based ALS system. Contact Art at Art.Hsieh@ems1.com.

Comments

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Sherry Al-Alawi Tuesday, February 28, 2012 8:39:44 PM We are training many sectors for that, it's excellant you broght that point up. Am sure will face it here too. Cheers to you Art Hsieh.

Jim Allen Wednesday, February 29, 2012 8:32:32 AM Thanks Art as always your the man!

Art Hsieh Wednesday, February 29, 2012 3:54:03 PM This is from a reader who has given me permission to reprint his comments. --- Hi, Art. Hope you are well. Thanks for the much deserved shout-out to Kate for kicking this issue into high gear. Her passion and unwillingness to take “no” for an answer has been key to make this legislation hopefully become a reality. For your edification, yesterday the last of the Senate committees voted unanimous for the bill; now it goes to the Senate floor for a vote and then to the Governor for signature. The only foreseeable “roadblock” is how many bills are on the Senate floor and if they get to this one in time before recess. I can tell you that once I got in front of the Representatives and Senators all I had to do was paint the picture of a loved-one in SCA in a building but 911 being unable to summon the nearby security guard with an AED. They “got it”. Best regards, Elliot. Elliot R. Fisch President/CEO - Atrus, Inc. www.atrusinc.com