Our Emergency Medical Services have grown from a handful of people in a poor Pittsburgh neighborhood to the EMS system we know today with paramedics on most ambulances.
As emergency medicine has grown so have the life saving medications EMT's and paramedics can give in the field, so have the life saving medications a layperson can give.
In Arizona the law 36-2226 allows a layperson to give epinephrine in case of an allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. If you want to learn more about anaphylactic shock check out First Aid for Free's Anaphylactic Awareness page
Narcan also known as Naloxone can also be given by a layperson.
Under A.R.S. § 36-2267, any person may administer an opioid antagonist, like naloxone, to a person who
is experiencing an opioid-related overdose. The statute further states, "A person who does this in good
faith and without compensation is not liable for any civil or other damages as the result of the act.”
For more information on the Arizona laws on obtaining or administering Narcan click HERE
Here's more information on How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose
Under ARS 36-2229 the Community Center in Dolan Springs and the Meadview Civic Association could have a couple people trained on how to give breathing treatments in case of respiratory distress.
Everybody needs to know First Aid and CPR... Who ya gonna call?
Learn for FREE at First Aid for Free
Arizona EMS Laws
Emergency
Administration of Epinephrine by good Samaritans
36-2226 Emergency administration of
epinephrine by good Samaritans; exemption from civil liability
A.
Notwithstanding any other law, a person may administer epinephrine to another
person who is suffering from a severe allergic reaction if the person acts in
good faith and without compensation for the act of administering the
epinephrine and a health professional who is qualified to administer
epinephrine is not immediately available.
B. A
person who administers epinephrine pursuant to subsection A is not subject to
civil liability for any injury that results from that act unless the person
acts with gross negligence, wilful misconduct or intentional wrongdoing.
36-2226.01 Emergency administration of
epinephrine authorized entities prescriptions training immunity definitions
Physicians can prescribe epinephrine
auto-injectors to an "authorized entity" That’s a school, restaurant,
community center, camp, or place of employment where allergens capable of
causing anaphylaxis may be present.
Emergency administration of inhalers
36-2229. Emergency administration of inhalers; authorized entities;
training; immunity; definitions
A. A
physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 or a nurse
practitioner who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 may prescribe
inhalers and spacers or holding chambers in the name of an authorized entity
for use in accordance with this section, and pharmacists may dispense inhalers
and spacers or holding chambers pursuant to a prescription issued in the name
of an authorized entity. A prescription issued pursuant to this section is
valid for two years.
B. An
authorized entity may acquire and stock a supply of inhalers and spacers or
holding chambers pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this
section. The inhalers shall be stored in a location that is readily accessible
in an emergency and in accordance with the inhaler's instructions for use. An
authorized entity shall designate employees or agents who have completed the
training required by subsection D of this section to be responsible for the
storage, maintenance, control and general oversight of the inhalers and spacers
or holding chambers acquired by the authorized entity.
C. If an
employee or agent of an authorized entity or another individual who has
completed the training required by subsection D of this section believes in
good faith that an individual is experiencing respiratory distress, the
employee, agent or other individual may provide and administer an inhaler to
that individual or may provide an inhaler to the parent, guardian or caregiver
of that individual, for immediate administration, regardless of whether the
individual who is believed to be experiencing respiratory distress has a
prescription for an inhaler and spacer or holding chamber or has previously
been diagnosed with a condition requiring an inhaler.
D. An
employee, agent or other individual described in subsection B or C of this
section shall complete initial training for the use of inhalers and, at least
every two years thereafter, shall complete subsequent training. The training
shall be conducted by a nationally recognized organization that is experienced
in training laypersons in emergency health treatment. Training may be conducted
online or in person and, at a minimum, shall cover:
1. How to
recognize signs and symptoms of respiratory distress.
2. Standards
and procedures for the storage and administration of an inhaler.
3. Emergency
follow-up procedures after the administration of an inhaler.
E. The organization
that conducts the training required by subsection D of this section shall issue
a certificate to each person who successfully completes the training.
F. The
administration of an inhaler pursuant to this section is not the practice of
medicine or any other profession that otherwise requires licensure.
G.
Physicians licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 and nurse
practitioners licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 who prescribe an
inhaler and spacer or holding chamber in the name of an authorized entity,
authorized entities and employees and agents of authorized entities that
provide or administer inhalers and organizations that provide training pursuant
to subsection D of this section are immune from civil liability with respect to
all decisions made and actions or omissions taken that are based on good faith
implementation of the requirements of this section, except in cases of gross
negligence, wilful misconduct or intentional wrongdoing.
H. The
immunity from civil liability provided in subsection G of this section does not
affect a manufacturer's product liability regarding the design, manufacturing
or instructions for use of an inhaler and spacer or holding chamber.
I. An
authorized entity may accept monetary donations to purchase inhalers and
spacers or holding chambers and may accept donations of inhalers and spacers or
holding chambers directly from the product manufacturer.
J. For the
purposes of this section:
1.
"Authorized entity" means any entity or organization in connection with
or at which allergens capable of causing respiratory distress symptoms may be
present, including recreation camps, day care facilities, youth sports leagues,
amusement parks, restaurants and sports arenas.
2.
"Bronchodilator" means albuterol or another short-acting
bronchodilator that is approved by the United States food and drug
administration for the treatment of respiratory distress.
3.
"Inhaler" means a device that delivers a bronchodilator to alleviate
symptoms of respiratory distress, that is manufactured in the form of a
metered-dose inhaler or dry-powder inhaler and that includes a spacer or
holding chamber that attaches to the inhaler to improve the delivery of the
bronchodilator.
4.
"Respiratory distress" includes the perceived or actual presence of
coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.
