CMs and First Aid

[EeyoresButterfly]

Technically we are supposed to be trained in first aid by the company to adminster any kind of first aid. That being said, I myself have helped out a family during a medical emergency. A young man with a history of epilepsy began having a seizure in the middle of Fantasy Faire (the store in Philharmagic). I was the glasses stacker and we use large black bags to transport the glasses. I offered the use of the folded up black bag to the family to put under his head. I did not get into trouble for this.

The reason we are not allowed to use first aid unless we are trained by the company has to do with liability. As a CM, we are not covered by Good Samaritan laws since we are on the clock. Many people forget their training over time or were not properly trained to begin with and may make the situation worse instead of better. We do not give medicine or band aid because you never know when a person might be allergic, and you are not in a position to help them if they start having an anaphylactic reaction. Alpha Units always respond quickly, so I have never felt constrained.

I do question the description of the incident as we offer first aid for everything. I suppose it's possible that she just happened to be near a bad bunch of cast members, but that is so unusual that it is suspect. Also, there are plenty of those things that shoot water and I have never seen a child hurt by them. It is hardly high pressure, really no more pressure than a water fountain. If you let you kid put their eye against something like that, whatever happens is your fault.

[hobie16]

Some friends of my daughter (boys) were out playing rumble in the jungle (it should have been bungle) and one managed to inflict a four inch deep gash in his leg with a machete. The kid was kinda smart and closed the wound with duct tape.

I had a long talk about all this with my daughter including what to do if she sees something like this happen. She has an assignment to recognize the difference between a deep gash and a severed artery. She also has to describe the use of direct pressure and pressure points for wounds.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Some friends of my daughter (boys) were out playing rumble in the jungle (it should have been bungle) and one managed to inflict a four inch deep gash in his leg with a machete. The kid was kinda smart and closed the wound with duct tape.

I had a long talk about all this with my daughter including what to do if she sees something like this happen. She has an assignment to recognize the difference between a deep gash and a severed artery. She also has to describe the use of direct pressure and pressure points for wounds.

Hmmm. I think that the American Red Cross has first aid courses for all. I also remember that a paramedic I knew used to help teach a course to the boy and girl scouts! Never too young for first aid! (or self aid!)

[turkeyham]

I took first aid in college with The American Red Cross. I remember studying if there is an eye injury, let the paramedics or hospital take care of it. You have no idea if it there is a foreign object caught in there as well.

[CMGUY89]

The band-aid thing makes me kinda mad. I think it's ridiculous to make a guest walk halfway across the park for a band-aid. They always get really mad about this and I feel bad because their only option is to go and buy some at imagination.
As for training, I feel that in most cases, making an attempt to save someone's life while they are waiting for and Alpha-unit is better than standing around doing nothing. If someone goes into Cardiac Arrest they only have a minute or two before they sustain permanent damage. I mean, why does Disney put AEDs all through the park when Reedy Creek brings one with them anyway? They are meant to be there if someone needs it, and I think its better that someone who has had SOME training is better than a SG who will screw it up. But that's just my opinion.

[EeyoresButterfly]

Cardiac arrest is one thing, but honestly, how often does that actually happen? In my time as a CM the worst thing I have seen is the seizure, and in that case the family was taking care of it as this was a common occurrence, and I did provide help. I know people can and do have heart attacks, but nobody I know personally has ever seen one or had to deal with one. The rules are there to protect the guests, but in an emergency, I doubt you would get in trouble unless what you did caused further harm because you were not performing CPR properly.

[hobie16]

I doubt you would get in trouble unless what you did caused further harm because you were not performing CPR properly.

The worst thing about CPR is you usually crack or break some ribs if you do it properly.

[CMGUY89]

Yeah, they taught us that it wouldn't be uncommon if we heard some loud "pops" while we were doing it.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I have performed it for real twice, the first time we did break his ribs! The second time we didn't.

(both DOA)

[Shorty82]

I was working Tip Board Cart today during one of the "Dream Along With Mickey" shows when this kid climbs up on the railing, holding onto the tall concrete post with the big ball shape at the end to see better. I naturally told him to climb down and not to stand on the raillings.

His mother thanked me, saying he probably wouldn't have listened to her. Of course I told him to get down, he was standing on an inch wide rail and easily could have fallen and cracked his head open.