Well said Burleigh_Boy... dont forget news crews... bloody vultures
Well said Burleigh_Boy... dont forget news crews... bloody vultures
Agree with Dr Dan. As long as you act within the training you have completed then no one will win a law suit against you.
Does Australia have a "Good Samaritan" law? Where you are alright as long as you acted in good faith? For example, if I saw a man lying in a highway unconcious, it would be alright for me to drag him to safety on the side of the road even though doing so may cause him harm. I would be acting in good faith trying to save him from being run over and killed. If you do have such a law, it's probably alright. Any lawyers in the house? Does anyone know the right answer to this. Everyone would like to know for sure. One thing you can do is to ask people what they want you to do if something like this happens. Just ask, "Before we go out there, I need to know about any medical conditions you may have. If anything goes wrong, what should I do for you?" That way, you're in the clear. You have their permission. If you get it in writing, all the better.
"When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.-- Mark Twain"
Interesting comments all round here. Cannot, repeat, just can not come at the idea of doing nothing for fear of being sued. On the subject of maydays, I've only ever heard one. A mate who was sinking in very cold water and rough seas in Tas. He was in denial about how bad his situation was and refused to call it a mayday. Went down and was very lucky to be picked up, just alive. But out on the reef off Cairns a few weeks ago, I heard a guy call one who was in no danger at all.Better to be safe than sorry , I guess.
Gidday Al_Carpo, different states have different laws. NSW and Victoria had fairly comprehensive protection for "Good Samaritans" from memory.
Queensland had no protction whatsoever untill early this year.
This has now been put in place here because of several incidents where Vollunteers were put in a lot of strife. I have read the legislation that was put in place for Vollunteers and it is now reasonably adequate... if you do something really stupid, you are on your own...
The gov had to do something in our situation as Vollys were getting very edgy and a lot of people did start to toss it in as a result... If they didnt put some protection in place, in a couple of years time their wouldnt have been to many volluntary services still running...
Not much of an answer for you, but at the end of the day I beleive you have to live with your own concience and do what you have to do... wouldnt get much out of me anyway
I have helped out a few times throughout the years at motor accidents etc, never give it a though about getting sued, during or after... I would be severely piss#d if someone hesitated and didnt help my kids if they needed it... [smiley=rifle.gif]
You're absolutely right Yockman. I couldn't just stand there and watch someone suffer and die without trying to do something to save him either. If he sued me for it later, then I'd watch him suffer and die as I beat him to death with a heavy, blunt, metal object! >...
Thanks for the info. on the Samaritan laws. I'm glad some changes were made. That is horrible that the volunteers were getting blasted for doing nothing more than trying to help. And, yes, I'd be angry too if no one saved a family member of mine too, for fear of a law-suit.
"When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.-- Mark Twain"
If you THINK its a Mayday, its a Mayday... thats the way I look at it in the real world...
I wouldnt hesitate to put one out if I thought I was in real strife.
In truth, put out a Pan Pan, you get a pretty good response and normally very quickly... you put out a Mayday, Water Police will direct every available resourse in your direction including Rescue 500 in all probability. If someone dies that could have been prevented by directing more or better resourses, their necks are seriously on the line. If you call a Pan Pan, and someone croaks, then you should have called a Mayday and that is what will be said in the Coroners court...
Like i said, if I am in serious trouble, I know which call I will make
El Carpono we don't simple as, it boils down to duty of care, first to the person giving first aid, then to the vic, i only did an upgrade of my first aid, last week, and its a lot deeper then discussed here, and i will not go into, but after reading a few posts, methinks its time everyone who has a first aid cert, in the last 3 yrs are in for a shock on the refresher.Good Samaritan" law?
cheers
Joe.
Good point Subzero [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]
OK Thanks for the clarification on the use of the mayday and urgency calls Subzero (Lloyd).
Cheers,
Jeremy
"The underlying spirit of angling is that the skill of the angler is pitted against the instinct and strength of the fish and the latter is entitled to an even chance for it's life."
(Quotation from the rules of the Tuna Club Avalon, Santa Catalina, U.S.A.)
Apathy is the enemy
So the correct answer to yockman's question, was correctly given by blaze in the first reply.
Maybe we should take more notice of what he says, and bring him to the M & G.
oscar
ok
what equipment should you carry legaly (is there a web site witch lists what must be carried)
and what other safety equpment is recomended to take to sea
that you dont leave home without.
Daniel
Hi Daniel,Originally Posted by caloundra
You can obtain (for free) a boating handbook from the department of Transport that lists essential equipment and also the "rating" of the waters. For example there are different requirements for where you intend to go in Moreton Bay.
Other equipment may be considered essential by some, but not legally required eg a knife........ sounds stupid I know, but I knew a guy who feel asleep on a rising tide. The boat turned, he got his anchor warp around his engine and the first thing he knew was that he fell off his seat. The boat was being pulled under by the stern and he couldn't find a knife and couldn't undo the warp......he went under.
Philip
As far as first aide goes there is a an act of parliment "The Good Will Act"
which indemnifies people from prosecution provided that you don't do anything that is obviously neglegent (sit on the patients chest whilst trying to do mouth to mouth), stick to the things that you are taught, do it the way you are taught and you can't be sued.
Cheers
Mark
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