Do Good Samaritan Laws Cover CPR?

Only 26% of Australians are trained to administer this lifesaving measure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is an emergency procedure performed on cardiac arrest victims who has no pulse or have breathing difficulties.

This technique combines chest compression with rescue mouth-to-mouth breathing to keep normal blood circulation and restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

Every year, there's an estimate of 30,000 cardiac arrest cases in Australia. This is alarmingly high considering the fact that only 26% or only 1 in every 5 Australian are trained to perform CPR. To lower the amount of cardiac arrests death in the country, researchers conduct a study on what keeps people from learning and performing CPR.

The results are divided into 3 factors that prevent people from providing lifesaving care in an emergency.

1. Fear of hurting the victim
The primary reason why most people are very reluctant to get involved in providing CPR is the fear of hurting the victim and inflicting more damage. We always have some apprehensions at the back of our minds from the ‘what ifs” – what if he will not survive? what if I will make it all worse? The only advice I can give to anyone is DO IT. Even a basic background on CPR is enough to increase a person's chance of survival. Act now or regret not being to help later.

2. Fear of doing it wrong 
Even with the knowledge of doing the entire CPR process, we cannot help but hesitate sometimes because of the fear of doing it all wrong. The key to overcoming this fear is confidence. Tell yourself that your knowledge of CPR, chest compression, and breathing techniques are enough. Keep in mind that the emergency services are on their way, and you are performing CPR to increase the victim's chance of survival.

Do not let your lack of confidence get in the way of saving lives.

3. Fear of getting sued 
The Australian Good Samaritan Law is put in place to protect bystanders who perform CPR. Generally, the bystander should ask permission before performing CPR. But if the victim is unconscious or cannot respond, the CPR consent is implied.

A ‘Good Samaritan’ in Australian legislation refers to a person who renders aid in an emergency to an injured person on a voluntary basis. To be a good Samaritan, the person has to be in good faith and without expectation of payment or other rewards.

However, there are two conditions that must be taken into account to grant this immunity.

1. The first aid must be given at the scene of the utmost emergency
2. If the ‘Samaritan’ has other motives, such as expected payments or reward, then the law will not apply.

To put it in a nutshell, anyone who in good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency shall not be liable for any civil damages under the Good Samaritan Law with the exception for damages that results from the persons' gross negligence, or wanton acts/omissions.

The ability to save a life should never be put into doubt by worrying about the liability. It’s why most Australian states and territories have Good Samaritan Laws in place.

Have the confidence you need to save the lives of others, attend a First Aid and CPR course today!