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    Good Samaritan Laws

    Help confidently. Law protects.

    What they cover

    • All 50 states have Good Samaritan laws.
    • Protect those who help in emergencies from being sued.
    • Cover: CPR, first aid, helping accident victims, calling 911.
    • Standard: act in "good faith" + "reasonable" care.
    • NOT covered: gross negligence, payment expected, after-the-fact.

    When to step in

    • Someone unconscious or not breathing.
    • Choking — Heimlich.
    • Severe bleeding — apply pressure.
    • Suspected stroke or heart attack — call 911.
    • Drowning rescue (if safe to attempt).
    • Broken bone immobilization.
    • Allergic reaction — help with EpiPen.

    Senior-specific tools

    • Red Cross First Aid app — free. Step-by-step emergency.
    • What3Words app — pinpoint exact location for 911 (down to 3m).
    • iPhone Emergency SOS — hold side button + volume.
    • Take CPR class — Red Cross free or low-cost. Worth taking every 2 years.
    • AED training — many seniors at gyms learn to use.

    Limits

    • Don't do procedures you're not trained for.
    • Don't accept money — voids protection in some states.
    • Stop if professional help arrives.
    • Don't move severely injured person unless necessary.
    • Don't give medications to strangers.
    • Document what you did + saw — for own records.

    CPR + Heimlich for life

    Most adults forget CPR within 2 years of training. Refresher every 1-2 years. Red Cross + American Heart Association both offer. Worth $50-100 every 2 years for muscle memory + confidence.