A helping hand ? No way, you are on your own.

Without going into too much detail, to protect myself as much as anything.

I was out shopping in a busy area last weekend, when a woman collapsed a few meters in front of me, on a busy street. She was alone as nobody went to her aid, I went over to her to see if she was ok.
She wasn't, she was unconscious and unresponsive. I checked her for breath signs and pulse and found none. So I started CPR and asked for someone to call an ambulance. I have done a Occupational First Aid Course so I had a good idea of what I was doing.

What happened next, was like a dream sequence in a movie. Both myself and this woman became INVISIBLE. It was as if we were inclosed in a bubble.
Some people had a quick glance and walked on by as if we weren't there.
The whole time I was with her untill the ambulance got there, over 30 mins, I didn't get even one offer of help from anyone. And I can tell you, there were plenty of people passing by.

And while I fully understand the "Fight or Flight" syndrome, someone could have offered.

Is this what society has become ?
Have we become this desensitized to our surroundings ??


I still can't believe not one person offered to assist.
I really am still shocked that this happened.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dave1dave

Without going into too much detail, to protect myself as much as anything.

I was out shopping in a busy area last weekend, when a woman collapsed a few meters in front of me, on a busy street. She was alone as nobody went to her aid, I went over to her to see if she was ok.
She wasn't, she was unconscious and unresponsive. I checked her for breath signs and pulse and found none. So I started CPR and asked for someone to call an ambulance. I have done a Occupational First Aid Course so I had a good idea of what I was doing.

What happened next, was like a dream sequence in a movie. Both myself and this woman became INVISIBLE. It was as if we were inclosed in a bubble.
Some people had a quick glance and walked on by as if we weren't there.
The whole time I was with her untill the ambulance got there, over 30 mins, I didn't get even one offer of help from anyone. And I can tell you, there were plenty of people passing by.

And while I fully understand the "Fight or Flight" syndrome, someone could have offered.

Is this what society has become ?
Have we become this desensitized to our surroundings ??


I still can't believe not one person offered to assist.
I really am still shocked that this happened.

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I was about to offer a hand until you started mouth to mouth then I taught you guys were just at a bit of role play didn't want to be rude and disturb an appointment PMSL...excuse my ignorance I couldn't resist but on a serious note great post ,and fair play to you for doing your bit regardless of the ignorance of others ;)

when i lived in the UK, i noticed that behaviour
when something like that happened. i don't have those
skills and am a bit squemish-but if it's life or death-i would have
helped to make a call to emergency services, at least.

fair play to you dave!

unbelivable and so so sad... I am really staring to loose faith in mankind... where does it all end?

I think society has gone to the shitter.

Call me old fashioned but I still open a door for a lady, the only problem is these days the "lady" rarely says thank you. I don't use public transport but would always give me seat to a pregnant or elderly lady.

This is all the same, people are in their own little bubble and just don't want to know.

How would all those passerbys have liked it if it was their mum, granny, sister lying on the ground? They'd be complaining about the delay in he ambulance arriving and the government and the HSE etc.

I'm ranting now.

Fair play for stopping and rendering assistance, I hope the lady was ok.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warmcome

when i lived in the UK, i noticed that behaviour
when something like that happened. i don't have those
skills and am a bit squemish-but if it's life or death-i would have
helped to make a call to emergency services, at least.

fair play to you dave!

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I'm not sure how I feel about it, it's had a bit of an odd effect on me.
I blew off work all this week.
I cancelled an appointment I had for Monday ( Sorry Sweet Rebeka :o)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BACMAN36

Fair play for stopping and rendering assistance, I hope the lady was ok.

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Cheers, To be honest I didn't follow it up. I'm not sure I want to know if it's not a good outcome.


Have we just gotten too used to ignoring things, like that beggar with a cup ect..

Dave ... 21 years ago it was the same. I lay outside a shop in Rathfarnham, in the rain having a heart attack. Only two people came, one to steal my wallet and one to help and the one who helped was a 12 year old boy!

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Originally Posted by Monkeynut

Dave ... 21 years ago it was the same. I lay outside a shop in Rathfarnham, in the rain having a heart attack. Only two people came, one to steal my wallet and one to help and the one who helped was a 12 year old boy!

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I think it just shows, that as we get older. The more cynical and blinkered we become.
A young child would always go to help another in distress.

So, sad .... The world is becoming a sad place to live.
Selfish and careless is the majority of the humanity now.
People must be heartless to walk by pass and not offer help.
If only 1/3 of people were like you Dave, the world could be a much better place.
I have to say you are a amazing man, gentleman with a lovely heart.
You must feel good because you did everything you could to help, and that is so good of you.

Good to see you back xxxx

You know how I feel mate, well done ;)

Congratulations Dave and well done.

An acquaintance of mine had a similar experience in a train station a couple of years ago. He's a lifeguard so trained at first aid. I can't remember the exact details but administered CPR to someone who had collapsed, ambulance arrived and congratulated him on a job well done and carted your man off.

A few weeks later he had a summons for assault. Never found out what happened in the end...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by punterminator

Congratulations Dave and well done.

An acquaintance of mine had a similar experience in a train station a couple of years ago. He's a lifeguard so trained at first aid. I can't remember the exact details but administered CPR to someone who had collapsed, ambulance arrived and congratulated him on a job well done and carted your man off.

A few weeks later he had a summons for assault. Never found out what happened in the end...

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Was the helper summoned for assault because he administered CPR and saved that guy's life?? :eek:

My first visit ever in Cork was in June 2000. I was looking for the main post office and in front of what it used to the old Roches Stores I was asking an elderly woman where the GPO is. Herself and another passer by walked me there, if you can believe it. Not just telling me where it is, bringing me there.

These days, I can see people hiding their eyes if they think you may want to approach them in any way. If you bump into someone into a busy shop, people check for their bags instead of saying sorry.

Yesterday a man cut in front of me at a petrol station. Absolutely no regard for me who not only I was there before him but also I was there before another lady which I politely let her go in front as she was approaching the till a little after I did.

I am holding the doors in shops and banks for people coming, I rarely get a thank you. Not only that, but it happen a few times while holding a door for a woman, especially an elderly one, a full grown men are also benefiting of my gesture, sometimes going in front of those elderly women. One time I actually couldn't hold back and I told one of those guys how rude what he just did is. He looked at me like I was the one with a problem, not him !

Regarding Dave's story, absolutely a shocking horror ! That goes way beyond good manners. But you know what, I do think it all starts with the lack of good manners and respect. And it ends in situations like Dave has witnessed !!!

It reminded me of a video I have seen a few months back, where a man was stabbed in the Italian metro in front of hundreds of people. He was dying of a painful slow death and all those people didn't even give him a second look !

My father take me a first aid course few months back,he told me anything can happen with us on the streets so its essential to help others there might be someone who will do the same!!!I think its very true...but seems just few ppl around who actually might help:(

Well done Dave,the lady in question was so lucky u've been around

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amy Alison

Was the helper summoned for assault because he administered CPR and saved that guy's life?? :eek:

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Yup, guy who collapsed was a toe-rag looking for a quick buck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by punterminator

Yup, guy who collapsed was a toe-rag looking for a quick buck.

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My goodness! This a a new degree of low I'm hearing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amy Alison

My goodness! This a a new degree of low I'm hearing.

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I never got to hear the end of it but I must try to find out did it ever make it to court.

Must of been disturbing for you Dave. I agree everyone seems to live in their own world, no manners or consideration for others, the amount of times I've felt like a doorman outside shops, very rarely a smile or a thank you. I was brought up to have good manners, I hope I still have them.
Why people are so reluctant to help another person, I don't know, perhaps theres a fear factor now and just turn the other way.
To re-address the balance, a few months ago an elderly man collapsed outside the local supermarket.I was a way off at the time, by the time I got there 5 or 6 people had gathered round to help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amy Alison

My first visit ever in Cork was in June 2000. I was looking for the main post office and in front of what it used to the old Roches Stores I was asking an elderly woman where the GPO is. Herself and another passer by walked me there, if you can believe it. Not just telling me where it is, bringing me there.

These days, I can see people hiding their eyes if they think you may want to approach them in any way. If you bump into someone into a busy shop, people check for their bags instead of saying sorry.

Yesterday a man cut in front of me at a petrol station. Absolutely no regard for me who not only I was there before him but also I was there before another lady which I politely let her go in front as she was approaching the till a little after I did.

I am holding the doors in shops and banks for people coming, I rarely get a thank you. Not only that, but it happen a few times while holding a door for a woman, especially an elderly one, a full grown men are also benefiting of my gesture, sometimes going in front of those elderly women. One time I actually couldn't hold back and I told one of those guys how rude what he just did is. He looked at me like I was the one with a problem, not him !

Regarding Dave's story, absolutely a shocking horror ! That goes way beyond good manners. But you know what, I do think it all starts with the lack of good manners and respect. And it ends in situations like Dave has witnessed !!!

It reminded me of a video I have seen a few months back, where a man was stabbed in the Italian metro in front of hundreds of people. He was dying of a painful slow death and all those people didn't even give him a second look !

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Yep the lack of manners and common courtesy is bewildering sometimes. Recently on a very wet and cold day i was waiting for a bus, we were waiting about 40 or 50 minutes so by the time it arrived there were well over 20 people ready to get on and out of the rain... So as not to obstruct the footpath, 2 lines formed, 1 person going in from each at a time etc. Anyway, there was a blind woman about 3 or 4 people in front of me, when she got to the head of our queue, the other one didn't even stop for her. It's not like they didn't notice, the 2 lines were practically facing each other, and yet here's this woman with the white stick and golden retriever waiting in the rain and getting pushed in front of. She should'nt have even had to queue nevermind being skipped, absolutely disgusting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anon361

You know how I feel mate, well done ;)

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I do, Cheers mate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by punterminator

Yup, guy who collapsed was a toe-rag looking for a quick buck.

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Thats just sick..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nick2010

Good to see you back xxxx

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Thanks Nick :)
Wasn't really away, just lurking :o Didn't have anything to say.

Like you Dave, I've done a few first aid courses and my instructor told me this story about some peoples' mindset about helping others.

Apparently it happened in England a few years ago. A lifeguard was on duty at a public swimming pool. A little girl under 10 years of age tried to dive into the pool but bellyflopped - she hit the bottom of the pool with her head and chest. She had done catastrophic damage to both parts of her body, but when the lifeguard saw the bloom of blood in the water, he fished her out and lay her down on the deck.

There was no pulse that he could detect and she was not breathing. Unable to tell that her sternum and ribs had been cracked by the impact on the bottom of the pool, he pushed down onto her chest as per normal CPR - her breastbone and ribs gave way, and it was game over for the poor wee girl.

After the ambulance and police had been and gone, and several days later, he was arrested following a complaint from the child's parents who alleged that he had been the one that killed their daughter with his mishandling of CPR. They had launched both a civil and criminal action against him. He was suspended from his job pending the investigation, the local newspapers were all over the story, and everyone who knew him indirectly looked at him like he was a murderer.

This whole thing went on for over a month until the coroner's results were made public. The coroner had found that the initial skull fracture was the cause of death, not the attempt at CPR. In his report, he stated clearly that the lifeguard was not at fault, was adhering to the principles of first aid and would have been completely unable to tell that the child was mortally injured.

The case apparently led to the passing of a Good Samaritan law in the UK - if you stop to help someone and unknowingly compound their injuries, or (for example) assist in the preservation of the life of someone who has a DNR order, you cannot be prosecuted for it. I'm not sure how clear the law is - for example, could you be prosecuted if you were not a first aider and you made a hames of whatever you were trying to do to help - but as far as I know, Ireland has no such Good Samaritan law.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mousey

Like you Dave, I've done a few first aid courses and my instructor told me this story about some peoples' mindset about helping others.

Apparently it happened in England a few years ago. A lifeguard was on duty at a public swimming pool. A little girl under 10 years of age tried to dive into the pool but bellyflopped - she hit the bottom of the pool with her head and chest. She had done catastrophic damage to both parts of her body, but when the lifeguard saw the bloom of blood in the water, he fished her out and lay her down on the deck.

There was no pulse that he could detect and she was not breathing. Unable to tell that her sternum and ribs had been cracked by the impact on the bottom of the pool, he pushed down onto her chest as per normal CPR - her breastbone and ribs gave way, and it was game over for the poor wee girl.

After the ambulance and police had been and gone, and several days later, he was arrested following a complaint from the child's parents who alleged that he had been the one that killed their daughter with his mishandling of CPR. They had launched both a civil and criminal action against him. He was suspended from his job pending the investigation, the local newspapers were all over the story, and everyone who knew him indirectly looked at him like he was a murderer.

This whole thing went on for over a month until the coroner's results were made public. The coroner had found that the initial skull fracture was the cause of death, not the attempt at CPR. In his report, he stated clearly that the lifeguard was not at fault, was adhering to the principles of first aid and would have been completely unable to tell that the child was mortally injured.

The case apparently led to the passing of a Good Samaritan law in the UK - if you stop to help someone and unknowingly compound their injuries, or (for example) assist in the preservation of the life of someone who has a DNR order, you cannot be prosecuted for it. I'm not sure how clear the law is - for example, could you be prosecuted if you were not a first aider and you made a hames of whatever you were trying to do to help - but as far as I know, Ireland has no such Good Samaritan law.

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I do know from the courses I've done that in Ireland there is what is known as implied consent, which allows you to give aid to an unconcious person without fear of repercussions.

The good Samaritan law is there to protect someone who has had recognised training. I think it only applies to qualified people in Ireland.

I saw a man flat on the ground a few years ago long coat with his dog beside him almost everyone passed by I stayed with him with 2 people I called the guards they were there within minutes turned him on his side & about 6 cans of Guinness fell from his pocket he came to within minutes a drink induced sleep:rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChiefHandker

Yep the lack of manners and common courtesy is bewildering sometimes. Recently on a very wet and cold day i was waiting for a bus, we were waiting about 40 or 50 minutes so by the time it arrived there were well over 20 people ready to get on and out of the rain... So as not to obstruct the footpath, 2 lines formed, 1 person going in from each at a time etc. Anyway, there was a blind woman about 3 or 4 people in front of me, when she got to the head of our queue, the other one didn't even stop for her. It's not like they didn't notice, the 2 lines were practically facing each other, and yet here's this woman with the white stick and golden retriever waiting in the rain and getting pushed in front of. She should'nt have even had to queue nevermind being skipped, absolutely disgusting.

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I feel pity for the poor blind woman :o but what I pity more is the rest of the people that did so. Can you imagine how "wonderful" they are in their lives? And what their kids will be like :( ?

Its a sad reflection on the modern so city in which we live, the I am all right Jack syndrome has well and truly taken hold in recent times this woman was lucky that the op had the courage of his convictions to stop and at least try and help I can only amuse that the people who passed by and totally ignored the situation had a fear of litigation or something its still not a good enough excuse for this behaviour.I wonder if the boot was on the other foot and it was one of the people who passed by without a single thought for the plight of another human being would feel if the situation were to be reversed and it was them who needed the help of a stranger,would they be happy to accept that no one was willing to help for what ever reason, I don't think so its something we all should think about as no one knows the hour or minute someone or indeed ourselves may be in such a predicament where we need help or be in a position to give help,Food for thought indeed . Fair play dave1dave for stooping and I for one salute you

Well done and fair play to you for helping. The people that walk past might need help like that one day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChiefHandker

Yep the lack of manners and common courtesy is bewildering sometimes. Recently on a very wet and cold day i was waiting for a bus, we were waiting about 40 or 50 minutes so by the time it arrived there were well over 20 people ready to get on and out of the rain... So as not to obstruct the footpath, 2 lines formed, 1 person going in from each at a time etc. Anyway, there was a blind woman about 3 or 4 people in front of me, when she got to the head of our queue, the other one didn't even stop for her. It's not like they didn't notice, the 2 lines were practically facing each other, and yet here's this woman with the white stick and golden retriever waiting in the rain and getting pushed in front of. She should'nt have even had to queue nevermind being skipped, absolutely disgusting.

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That's a just abysmal that's not just bad manners its a total lack of humanity and common decency it bewilders me