Sometimes I don't have words

[MichaelHarris]

read the story: Two EMTs Suspended After They Allegedly Ignore Dying Woman


http://ny1.com/5-manhattan-news-content/news_beats/law_enforcement/110776/two-emts-suspended-after-they-allegedly-ignore-dying-woman/

on edit: I stole their own words "they were on break and wanted to eat breakfast"
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/EMTS-Suspended-After-Leaving-Pregnant-Woman-to-Die-79860937.html

[liberalmuse]

1. I don't buy the excuse of the union...

" called 911. She didn't have an ambulance. She didn't have equipment. She does not work in the field as an active EMT in an ambulance," he said. "She is a dispatcher. She works as an emergency medical dispatcher. is also a dispatcher. These are people that are not in the field, that have not had patient contact in years. And they did the best they could." That just doesn't wash.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Help me understand this then

These were two dispatchers. On a break. They aren't EMTs, they answer the phone. What do you think they could have done?

[snagglepuss]

4. The report states they were trained and could have done something.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Other than calling 911 what could they have done?

And yes I think they should have called 911. But what else could they have done?

[snagglepuss]

6. With just First Aid training I have stepped in. Very minimal stuff like

putting my coat on a guy who had a motorcycle accident - his metataursal bones on his left foot were all broken and poking through his running shoes. He was conscious so I reassured him and held his hand and got his Mom's phone number to hand to the EMT. As he calmed down he told me that although he was in his early 20's he had recently had a heart operation and was very freaked out that his parents would be angry. I passed that info to the medics as well.


These two robots being dispatchers would have, at the very least, known that 911 calls get priortized so had they assessed the victim they might have been able to ring it in as a high priority.


Their doing nothing is contemptible.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I agree they were wrong to do nothing

But I am not sure what they could have done to save her. Sure they could have made her more comfortable though.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. Are paramedics required to administer aid if asked?

If not it would appear parallel to the laws saying police officers have no legal obligation to assist or protect people they encounter who may need assistance.
This is just disheartening.