Medical expert: If you know CPR, just do it

NEVER let your fear of being sued stop you from helping someone dying from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

“Do not worry about the legal liabilities.

“As long as we act in good faith to save someone’s life and have preserved the victim’s modesty, we are clear,” said Datuk Dr Mahathar Abdul Wahab, senior consultant in Emergency Medicine and head of the Health Ministry’s National Emergency Medicine Services division.

Dr Mahathar noted that immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) could double or even triple the chances of survival for someone struck down with SCA.

“If you know CPR, then please do it! If you are trained but a bit rusty, do it anyway in good faith.

“Bravely do your part in an emergency and do not back away for fear of legal issues or lack of confidence.”

Dr Mahathar was speaking at a recent webinar organised by the Penang chapter of Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS).

It was held to mark World Restart a Heart Day which fell on Oct 16.

His talk was called ‘Medico-legal Aspects of Resuscitation Attempts for Layperson’.

Dr Mahathar, who is also head of Emergency & Trauma Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, encouraged more people to get CPR training.

At the webinar, Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia secretary Jason Low spoke on ‘Medico-legal Issues for First Aider and Resuscitation Attempts’.

Low highlighted that in Malaysia, there had been no cases of responders being sued by those they rescued.

“When the rescuer administers proper first aid and there is no evidence of the responder acting indecently, then no offence is committed,” Low stressed.

SCA is a condition where the heart abruptly stops beating. Breathing also stops instantly and the victim loses consciousness.

Without blood circulation, the victim has minutes to live.

Until medical help arrives, immediate CPR can ensure enough blood and oxygen move through the victim’s body to prevent permanent brain damage and subsequent death.

At the end of the session, MRCS Penang chapter organised a virtual CPR session by using the ‘Anniewhere’ application which is a web solution that enables instructors to teach CPR skills remotely.

A total of 100 participants attended the webinar.The society’s assistant director of training Ng Kah Boon, who was the webinar moderator, urged members of corporate companies, NGOs and the public who wish to learn first aid to contact the society at 04-827 5678 for training courses.