In Reply to: Re: In-water rescue posted by jerryn on December 23, 2008 at 21:14:50:

Basically if you don't have training, liability insurance and a signed waiver with the person being rescued you should avoid any non-medical assist until the legislature revises this act (write to your rep - I have!)

If you do have a waiver, insurance and training, do only what you've been trained to do (and not to do).

In either case, Good Sam won't cover you (insurance and the waiver only help your attorney).

Once the victim is out of the water, render only what medical assistance you have been trained to do (and can prove you ae current with) and not one thing more (as the REd Cross will tell you). You also opt out from assisting if the person refuses assistance (you must ask if they are conscious) or you believe your skills or condition will prevent you from providing assistnace until EMT takes over...

At this point, we all wish we were back in the 1950's when we'd just help out and the person being helped would say 'thanks for trying!' instead of calling Andy the Ambulance chaser (Andy is a purely fictional character intended for amusement and who's character is not based on a person, shark or attorney living, dead, or yet to be born).