New first aid language?

[RiverAux]

The knowledgebase has an updated answer to a question about providing first aid training.  In part it goes:

Note: Generally the only first aid and CPR requirements are in the area of emergency services, primarily for ground team members. A new CAPR 60-3 will further define this soon, and the language we expect to be approved is:

When first aid or higher medical training is required for qualification in a particular specialty, the expectation is that the qualification course includes both knowledge and practical skills training; first aid courses taken on-line only are not acceptable; though members are not considered employees when supporting operations, courses are expected to meet ASTM F 2171-02, Standards, Standard Guide for Defining the Performance of First Aid Providers in Occupational Settings.  CAP medical personnel are not provided supplemental malpractice insurance coverage, and any care provided is at the members own risk.  Though medical supplies and equipment are not normally provided to responders, any reasonable supplies used on training or actual missions may be submitted for reimbursement with justification.

If this is what we're going with, it certainly isn't going to do anything to help clarify all the first aid/medical care issues we've talked about here.  For example does CAP medical personnel are not provided supplemental malpractice insurance coverage, and any care provided is at the members own risk.  , are they considering anyone with first aid as "medical personnel?" in which case CAP won't back you up if there is an issue after basic first aid was done?  Also, like other regulations implies that medical personnel can do what they're trained to do while at the same time sort of frowning on them doing it. 

Are we ever going to get some black and white guidelines on this?

[Eclipse]

...are they considering anyone with first aid as "medical personnel?" in which case CAP won't back you up if there is an issue after basic first aid was done?

Obviously not.

.
Also, like other regulations implies that medical personnel can do what they're trained to do while at the same time sort of frowning on them doing it. 

Yes, welcome to CAP, this has been the answer for at least the 9 years I have been in.

.
Are we ever going to get some black and white guidelines on this?

No.

CAP can't authorize medical care without opening a kettle of fish they are not interested in, and they can't prohibit medical response because of the requirements to respond for some medical professionals.

[DC]

...are they considering anyone with first aid as "medical personnel?" in which case CAP won't back you up if there is an issue after basic first aid was done?

I would think that anyone with just First Aid/CPR would be covered under Good Samaritain laws... Anyone with a license is fair game though..

Out of curiousity, where do y'all think a First Responder would fall in there, assuming they are not NREMT regestered or anything..

[arajca]

Check with YOUR wing legal officer. Good Sam laws vary. In some states, if you respond as part of an agency, your are covered, in others you are not.

Ideally, your wing legal officer should have put something together regarding the applicability, or lack thereof, of Good Sam laws to CAP in your state.

[JayT]

...are they considering anyone with first aid as "medical personnel?" in which case CAP won't back you up if there is an issue after basic first aid was done?

I would think that anyone with just First Aid/CPR would be covered under Good Samaritain laws... Anyone with a license is fair game though..

Out of curiousity, where do y'all think a First Responder would fall in there, assuming they are not NREMT regestered or anything..

Why does the NR have to do with that? NR is just that, a National Registry. All it means is that you may, or may not be able to transfer your certification to a different state with less then normal difficulty.

Being an NR EMT doesn't make me legally able to do anything more or less (which is why I'm not one.)

[npfd505]

This has always been a sticky topic within CAP.  I am a licensed health care professional.  I have a legal and moral duty to act appropriately when confronted with a medical emergency.  As a volunteer in a volunteer organization that does not "provide medical treatment or assistance" beyond basic first aid, my care falls under the Good Samaritan Act as long as I perform within my scope of practice, follow established protocols for patient care AND act prudently.  If I act outside of those guidelines, I can open myself for liability.  From a safety standpoint, I will only provide emergency medical care until I can hand off the patient to emergency responders (i.e. fire department or paramedics).  My care will be limited to stabilization of the condition within my abilities.