Police and how to handle a person experiencing a seizure

During a seizure it is important to maintain a patent airway. This involves easing the person to the ground, keeping the mouth clear of any objects, supporting and protecting the head, turning the person to the side to prevent choking on saliva or vomit, loosening constrictive clothing. Attempting to hold down someone having a seizure is not a good idea due to the muscular strength of people during seizures, which may ultimately result in an injury.

While the police were arresting and raiding Kiener, a gentleman went into what appeared to be a grand mal seizure. As I approached, the police had the man laying on his back and several police officers were trying to control his arms and legs. I told them I was a nurse that all they needed to do was turn him on his side and protect his head, not hold his legs and arms. I was then grabbed by my backpack and pushed behind the sidewalk line and told by an officer that one of the officer's has some sort of medical training and knew what he was doing.

Code of nursing professional conduct states: ‘In an emergency, in or outside the work setting, you have a professional duty to provide care. The care provided would be judged against what could reasonably be expected from someone with your knowledge, skills and abilities when placed in those particular circumstances.’

Under Duty to Protect law, Emergency workers have a general duty to rescue the public within the scope of their employment. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Warren v. DC that the police have no duty to protect any citizen not in custody, and cannot be sued for their failure to protect.

Last edited by Julie (2011-11-19 14:48:05)