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10 / PERISCOPE

Paramedics sending patients to a hospital

learn first-aid knowledge, as they have the responsibility to such awareness and skills, there is currently no specific law
keep their students safe during lessons and outings. in Hong Kong to offer legal protection to first-aiders. That
“We organise a lot of outdoor activities and field trips. If means a first-aider could be legally liable if something goes
teachers are equipped with first-aid skills, they will be able wrong during the process.
to take care of our students if they get hurt,” Chan explains. Wai suggests that the government should implement
While most of the time teachers perform simple treat- the Good Samaritan Law in Hong Kong by taking reference
ments like bandaging for students with minor injuries, from other Western countries in which le-
Chan recalls he once rescued a student who fainted and gal protection is given to people who
lost his breath a few years ago. Chan put theories he learnt give injured people reasonable assis-
into practice and performed artificial respiration on the tance. He believes introducing such
student. The young man was revived at the end, even be- a law will give first-aiders a stronger
fore an ambulance arrived at the campus. sense of security when they perform
emergency treatments on those in
Legal concerns – The Good Samaritan Law need.
Abraham Wai Ka-chung, clinical assistant professor Abraham “The main purpose of the legis-
of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Wai Ka-chung lation is to reduce their worries by
Hong Kong, says most citizens do not feel obligated to per- stating clearly they won’t face legal
form first aid treatments to others in need, as they think it
should be done by medical professionals. Even they have

If it takes 10 minutes for an
ambulance to arrive, there is
little chance for the patient to
be revived

Axel Siu says more AEDs signage should
be posted in public area