Quote:
Originally posted by drinkeii
I have a VERY large problem with people who say that they are more concerned with liability issues than doing what is right. Why did you learn a set of lifesaving skills (many of which can be performed with makeshift materials if the first aid kit is not handy) if you planned to stand back and watch someone injured and just say "well, I'm not in my uniform and don't have a handy-dandy jump kit with me, so I'm going to sit back and wait for the people whose job it is right now to come and do it, even though I could be helping."
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Whether you believe it or not, you can test this out in court. Go ahead and help a kid or touch a kid that is hurt during a game. You might spend your life savings defending yourself in court when you are sued for further injury, whether you did anything or not. You are an official on that court or on that field. If you have a conflict with that, then stop officiating if you feel your committment to saving people or helping people is too strong. But the problem is, most people are not going to realize that you are an EMT or doctor on the court. They are going to see you as an official first and after they sue you, they will find out what your professional background is. And what happens if you are considered to be interfering with the EMTs that are their in "their" official capacity. Now you can be found as neglagent for getting in their way.
There really is no right and wrong here. Just like everything else we talk about here, you can do what you feel is best. But sometimes what you feel is best can get you in a heep of trouble and put you in a very hard to get out of situation. I might know CPR, but that does not mean I am the one that will apply it if I am officiating. That is why there are trainers and EMTs at sporting events to begin with.
Just a thought.
Peace