Have you ever wondered if you can provide first aid if you’re not trained or certified? Part of first aid for conscious victims is managing consent. How do you manage consent when offering help to a conscious victim? As first aid instructors, instructor trainers we will address these questions and concerns as well as encourage you to get trained by taking first aid courses with reputable and provincially approved providers.
Can you Provide First Aid if You’re Not Trained or Certified?
Yes, you can absolutely provide aid to someone if you’re not trained or certified. In Canada provincial laws also protect you from being liable as long as the rescuer acted reasonably and without gross negligence. Here is a break down of the laws per province that protect rescuers:
- British Columbia / Saskatchewan / Manitoba / Ontario – Good Samaritan Act / Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act
- Alberta – Alberta Emergency Medical Act
- Quebec – It’s your Duty to respond
Most provinces in Canada have you covered as you long as you do your best and act reasonably without negligence. In Quebec you can be held liable if you do not help. However, the best step you can take is into a first aid and CPR training centre to get certified so that you have the skills and tools to provide significantly more aid.
How do you manage consent when offering help to a conscious victim?
One of the first steps, after assessing the scene, is to ask the conscious victim for help. Without consent from the patient the rescuer must not proceed. If the patient becomes unconscious the rescuer can then provide aid because at this point it is implied consent. There are some complications with this such as a DNR but, in Canada, you’re clear to proceed with aid if the patient is non responsive.
Did You Know?
Puncture wounds
Puncture wounds don’t usually merit emergency medical attention because they close up within minutes. However, puncture wounds that are left untreated (such as wounds from a nail) can be very dangerous because of the threat of infection. Even more so for people with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, they might not be able to feel the wound at all. If bleeding persists, be sure to seek medical attention to get the wound looked at. Keep the wound clean and dry at all time, replacing dressing whenever needed.