Does this warrant the accusation of being a "zero"?
A paramedic refused to run to help an 11-year-old boy who was dying on the beach - because of health and safety rules, his father claimed yesterday.
The ambulance officer insisted on walking to the spot where James Poynton had collapsed, so she would not be out of breath.
Although she reached him within ten minutes of the alarm being raised, it was too late to save the youngster. (Daily Mail)
In my opinion, no. Rather than obeying what is claimed to be "health and safety rules", the paramedic was obeying simple common sense.The ambulance officer insisted on walking to the spot where James Poynton had collapsed, so she would not be out of breath.
Although she reached him within ten minutes of the alarm being raised, it was too late to save the youngster. (Daily Mail)
What is the first rule of first aid? Look out for danger and protect yourself. What would have happened if the paramedic has run? She could have fallen over and hurt herself, and thus be in no condition to help anyone, and actually need medical attention herself. Also, if she ran and arrived at the patient out of breath, what good could she be until she had regained her equilibrium? How much help could she be out of breath? None.
Paramedics carry a lot of heavy equipment. She could not have run with that much equipment safely, or have been much use to the patient after having carried it. So whilst the paramedic can't really be called a "hero", to call her a "zero" is just as wrong.
Source: Daily Mail
