First Aid in the Workplace

[fedupoffeelingtired]

not sure if anyone can help with this question. You can have a DNR put on your hospital records, but can you do the same in your workplace?? Just having a debate with my hubby, talking about "what if.." scenarios. Are first aiders obligated to perform CPR on you?

[Hidden]

My understanding is that a DNR is only relevant to Medical Professionals 'who are aware of it'.

If someone collapses with Cardiac Arrest, time is the most important thing, so anyone trained in CPR won't be thinking of anything other than saving someone's life.

[Shar28]

Hello. I hold a First Aid at Work qualification. The whole ethos of first aid is to keep someone alive until professional medical help arrives. Often a first aider will not know who the casualty is or anything at all about them, even in a workplace. So if CPR is necessary it will be given. First Aiders do not have time, resources or the training to even consider DNR at the time they’re dealing with a patient.

You may be able to get more information from a First Aid at Work training provider such as St Johns Ambulance or Red Cross, or from your work HR department, or the Health & Safety Executive.

[RufusScamp]

When I took my first aid course, we were told that yes, it was an obligation. Obviously, first aiders don't have all the equipment medics can use, so can't really do much beyond maintaining breathing.

[Hidden in reply to RufusScamp]

Not quite true by law -

"A person, whether a healthcare professional or a member of the lay public, who witnesses a situation ‘in the street’ where life-saving First Aid might be required is under no obligation to assist, provided the situation was not caused by that person."

[RufusScamp in reply to Hidden]

It was expressed as a moral obligation rather than legal. If you know what to do you should do it.

[Hidden in reply to RufusScamp]

I’m actually shocked they would state that, no one should have to feel obliged!

I’m personally very grateful that some do, 2 of them saved my life.

[RufusScamp in reply to Hidden]

I hope if it ever happens to me, someone who knows how to deal with it would not just walk on by!

[Hidden]

Hi. It would be better if you sought advice from Citizen's Advice or a Solicitor for this! I used to work for many years as a 'Legal Secretary '. This is an extremely complex situation, with many Loopholes and Clauses where many People have tried to sue Employers for Compensation!