revised
June 2001
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
EMERGENCY FIRST AID
Many people fear being sued for
coming to the aid of someone with
an injury. This same fear often
prevents people from getting trained
in first aid. The clear message in the
parable of the Good Samaritan is that
assisting those in trouble is the right
thing to do. Yet, is the best course
of action to do nothing?
THERE IS NO GENERAL LEGAL DUTY
TO HELP SOMEONE IN AN
EMERGENCY
However, in a few cases people do have a
legal duty to provide assistance. One of the
most important is the legal duty placed on any
person involved in a motor vehicle accident.
That person must stop and give all possible
assistance to the persons involved. A failure
to do so could mean being charged under the
Criminal Code.
THE LAW IN EVERY PROVINCE IN
CANADA ENCOURAGES
BYSTANDERS TO GIVE FIRST AID
In BC, we have The Good Samaritan Act. It
specifically protects, against liability, citizens
and medical professionals who act in good
faith to give emergency assistance to ill or
injured persons at the scene of an emergency.
Under these laws, a person providing first aid
who acts reasonably and prudently under the
conditions of an emergency, cannot be held
responsible for the injuries suffered by the
victim.
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN AN
EMERGENCY SITUATION AND ARE
WILLING TO ASSIST:
Ö identify yourself to the injured person. Tell
them if you have any medical training. Ask
if they want help.
Ö send someone to get medical help. Have
them call 911 or the local emergency
number.
Ö if a young child requires emergency medical
care, ask the parents for permission to help.
If the parents are not available to consent,
you can provide emergency aid.
Ö if the person is unconscious, extend any
urgent care necessary.
WHERE TO GET FIRST AID TRAINING:
The Red Cross offers courses through local
community rec. centres and the YMCA and
YWCA.
Check your Yellow Pages for companies
offering Red Cross certified first aid and
CPR.
St. John Ambulance
604-321-2651
Both the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance
have general liability insurance coverage for
First Aid course graduates.
There have been no successful suits in
Canada against anyone trained by a
recognized agency, for providing first aid.