Latest news with #GoodSamaritanlaw
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
B'luru apartment complexes train residents on CPR techniques
While cardiac arrests primarily strike people over 65 years of age, younger individuals below 50 are also at risk. This calls for people around the patient to be aware and prepared to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), which can improve their chances of survival. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tata Promont in Banashankari came forward to raise awareness by hosting a CPR training programme in collaboration with Manipal Hospital on June 15. The initiative was led by Dr Anjana Ravindranath, head of emergency at Manipal Hospital, Jayanagar. The hour-long session focused on teaching residents how to help an individual experiencing a cardiac arrest using CPR techniques. Priya Shenoy, 48, a resident who works as an ayurvedic doctor, says they were taught how to identify and handle such a situation using a dummy model. 'The safety protocols to perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth CPR were also discussed,' she says. Residents learnt about the 'Good Samaritan law', which legally protects people performing CPR, in case strong chest compressions lead to the patient suffering a rib injury. They were also advised to use CPR masks to prevent transmission of infections while still allowing airflow during mouth-to-mouth CPR. 68-year-old Shobha Gandhi also attended the session along with her husband. She expressed difficulty in kneeling down to perform traditional CPR, having undergone bilateral knee surgery. The doctor and team suggested she could help by guiding another person to do it. 'They explained how to respond if the patient is choking or suffering from a seizure, and advised us to keep emergency medicines like Ecosprin ready for those at risk of heart attacks,' she says. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Apartment complexes should also consider installing an automated external defibrillator (AED), a device that gives electric shocks to try and restore a normal heartbeat during a cardiac arrest. An AED can cost Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh, and the person using it requires training. Apollo Hospital in Seshadripuram has worked with complexes like Jains Aashraya on Bannerghatta Road, and ETA Gardens in Majestic, to conduct these sessions. Ajmera Infinity in Electronics City worked with Fortis Hospital to conduct a CPR training session in May. 'Residents, especially senior citizens, actively participated in this session, making it one of our successful initiatives,' says Sony K, member of the management committee. Three years ago, Prestige Shantiniketan in Whitefield conducted a CPR training workshop in collaboration with Aster CMI Hospital in Hebbal. Kinder Hospital has engaged in conducting a similar workshop with SLV Apartments in Avalahalli. 'Residents had multiple doubts related to chest compressions and the precautions needed to ensure the safety of the patient,' says Dr SK Mohanty, chief anesthetist and medical director at Kinder Hospital. Diya Hussain V A Voice Box I try to be self-reliant by reducing dependency on my family and making healthy choices, but in case of a sudden cardiac arrest, I expect people to know CPR, the same way I've prepared myself to help others in need Shobha Gandhi Shobha Gandhi, 68, RESIDENT, TATA PROMONT, BANASHANKARI As a regular traveller who has witnessed cases of cardiac emergency in various places, I feel it's necessary for everyone to know how to perform CPR and such training sessions can help make that possible Birendra Sharma, 60, RESIDENT, AJMERA INFINITY, ELECTRONICS CITY We use adult and pediatric mannequins to ensure the correct demonstration and make sure the instructions to perform CPR are clear and concise Dr Himaaldev G J Dr Himaaldev GJ, HEAD OF CRITICAL CARE, APOLLO HOSPITAL, SESHADRIPURAM
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Grieving University of Utah student creates overdose prevention program in friend's honor
Cole Brunner was supposed to cross the graduation stage this spring with his best friend, Teagan Pope. Now, Brunner plans to graduate alone after losing his friend to an accidental overdose. Brunner and Pope grew up in different California beach towns before they met as freshmen at the University of Utah. The pair quickly bonded over their mutual love for surfing and skateboarding. "Honestly, he was like the closest friend I've ever had, which is crazy because I didn't know him for my whole life, but it definitely felt like it," said Brunner. Brunner describes Pope as having a loving family, large friend group and a bright future. But Pope also suffered from poor mental health, leading him to self-medicate with illegal substances. He received psychiatric care and was treated in a rehabilitation center but still struggled to overcome the addiction completely. In November 2024, Pope died by accidental overdose after taking a counterfeit pill made of bromazolam and oxycodone. He was 22 years old. Brunner says the overdose happened at a party where naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, was likely nearby and available, but no one helped Pope. "It was really sad," said Brunner. "The (people he was with) were too scared to call the ambulance ... so they left him where he was for at least, like, six hours or something. I have no idea who they were, but they had Narcan in the room, I'm like 90% sure. They were all just too high and scared to use it." In the midst of learning how to navigate grief as a young college student, Brunner decided to take action to honor Pope's memory in the months following his death. He launched "SafeSteps: Rise Against Risk," an initiative to promote overdose awareness and harm reduction for University of Utah students. The initiative focuses on educating students on how to use naloxone, something he believes would have saved Pope's life if those around him were able to use it. SafeSteps also focuses on advocating for policy change to allow greater naloxone access and spreading information to students about legal protections like the Good Samaritan law — a law that protects individuals from being liable for damages caused when providing emergency care, like administering naloxone. A 2014 amendment to the Utah criminal code also protects people who are using an illegal substance and call first responders to report an overdose. SafeSteps specifically works with incoming freshmen and students in fraternities, where Brunner says many have a higher risk of being exposed to drug use. "I just wanted to send a message that if you do go to use, be educated. And if you're not going to use, help support other students instead of running away from actually helping them," he said. "In our friend group, they all kind of never thought (someone) would have died from this stuff. I caught on early that he was using way more than just for fun, and it hurt to watch, seeing him like that." On April 1, Brunner held a memorial for Pope at the University of Utah, in collaboration with the Center for Campus Wellness, during the university's overdose prevention week. At the event, students received training on how to administer naloxone from a university health educator and discussed resources for those struggling with substance use. The memorial was centered around using skateboarding — one of Brunner's and Pope's shared hobbies — to cope with anxiety and stress. Brunner commissioned specialized skateboard decks and bracelets for Pope's family and friends and distributed custom playing cards designed to raise awareness. "I wanted to do something for him, something cool to honor him," Brunner said. "I ordered like 20 skateboard decks with his name on them ... for close friends that knew him that wanted one, and the school helped me out with that. (We were) pushing a message at that event to find other natural highs, like skateboarding. Being from California, it's in our DNA to surf and skate. It's just something we bonded over and something, I think, that did help him when he was using." As Brunner continues his advocacy for overdose prevention, he wants to focus on encouraging others to find their natural high or passion in life. National drug prevention nonprofit Natural High advocates for this method of coping, citing an Icelandic case study that showed substituting a hobby like dance or art in place of drugs and alcohol helped teens better cope with life. Reflecting on his experience, Brunner says he still grapples with the pain of losing a friend to a drug overdose at such a young age and not having many resources available to cope with the loss. "I really only talked to him when I was going through stuff, so it was a real eye-opener for (me) ... to enjoy every moment. We had so many great moments, like looking back, I don't regret anything," he said. Brunner invites all Utahns to join him in advocating for improved overdose prevention education. More information on his efforts to share opioid safety awareness can be found on Brunner's LinkedIn profile.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Proposed CA bill seeks to shield students from discipline when reporting overdoses
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A new California bill would stop colleges and universities from punishing students who call 911 for help during a drug overdose. Introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), the proposed legislation seeks to close the gap between California's Good Samaritan law, which protects individuals from criminal charges when reporting an overdose, and academic penalties that schools are still allowed to impose. Assembly Bill 602 would prohibit colleges from issuing suspensions, expulsions or other disciplinary actions to students seeking help during a drug overdose. The institutions instead would be required to connect students to harm-reduction resources such as counseling and overdose education. SF to end free distribution of fentanyl paraphernalia without treatment 'No student should have to choose between saving a life and continuing their education,' Haney said on AB 602. Supporters of the bill argue that lives will be saved through eliminating 'a major deterrent' in requesting emergency services, according to a news release from Haney's office. 'Especially with the rise of fentanyl related poisonings among young people, where a person takes a substance not knowing it includes fentanyl, we need this law now to protect young people and save lives,' said Haney. The bill is currently awaiting its first hearing in the assembly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘If we have one overdose, we have one too many': Metro Public Health Department issues SPIKE Alert
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Public Health Department has issued a SPIKE Alert related to an increase in overdoses over the last three days across Nashville. Dr. Ann Melville-Chester, Division Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness with the MPHD, said at least 75 overdoses happened within the last four days in Nashville. RELATED: Metro Health Dept. reports spike in overdoses across Nashville 'If we have one overdose, we have one too many,' Melville-Chester told News 2. A map provided by the MPHD showed the overdoses aren't concentrated in one particular area, but they're spread across Davidson County. It's also unclear what drug has casued the overdoses. 'Check on your loved ones. Check on individuals that are by themselves,' Melville-Chester said. 'Check on people that are going through stressors. Check on those who are isolated.' Historically, opioids have been responsible for most overdoses across the Metro Nashville area, according to MPHD data. 'People may not even know that they've become dependent on opioids until the opioid is not prescribed anymore and they look for suppliers — friends, family, whatever to be able to meet that need,' Mary Linden Salter, Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and Other Addiction Services, explained. Metro officials have urged community members to always call 911 in the case of a possible overdose and carry naloxone to help prevent deadly opioid overdoses. While the MPHD has still worked to compile data on the most recent uptick in overdoses, they want to remind people help is available. SEE ALSO: Leaders pushing for more access to naloxone to combat opioid epidemic 'If you're at home and you're contemplating substance use because you're hungry [or] because your light is going to get turned off — these are all stressors — and please reach out to us so we can connect you with some of our partners,' Melville-Chester added. 'If you have experienced violence, whether it's domestic violence or any type of violence, we have resources available.' Tennessee's Good Samaritan law also offers protections for people who call 911 in the event of an overdose. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
