Good Samaritans: Responding To An Emergency

You never know when you’ll be called to be a hero and save someone’s life. You could be out hiking on a trail or playing basketball when your friend collapses. You might be the only witness of a terrifying car crash or wake up to a fire in your neighbor’s home. There are countless emergency situations where you could be faced with a split second decision that will be the difference between life and death for someone you know or a complete stranger. Without a first responder nearby, what will you do?

Your local Red Cross chapter offers many types of emergency training courses that teach the public how to respond in an emergency situation. Even learning simple skills like administering first aid or CPR can be important in being that quick responding Good Samaritan who springs into action, saving someone’s life in those critical moments before help arrives.

Every jurisdiction has some variation of a Good Samaritan law in place that outlines your responsibilities in an emergency, but some of those laws do not protect well meaning citizens. If you don’t have any emergency training, you can still be a Good Samaritan by calling 9-1-1 and getting help for the victim. In some states, such as Vermont, the law encourages any witness to an emergency to aid the person in need. But it’s important to familiarize yourself with what the law says in your own community.

Contact your local or state emergency medical services department, or check your local Red Cross chapter for more information about the Good Samaritan laws in your community, and for how you can sign up for emergency preparedness training. By learning to be Red Cross Ready, you can make a difference and save someone’s life.