Emergency Medical Services has Grown So Why Not Use Volunteer Layperson

Emergency medicine has grown since the 70's. 

So have the lifesaving medications EMT's and paramedics can give in the field, so have the lifesaving medications a layperson can give.

EMS has grown over the years, in the past life-saving medications for true medical emergencies like anaphylactic shock, sudden cardiac or an opioid overdose could only be administered by physicians. 

Then came paramedic programs where trained  who could give these lifesaving medications by paramedics. But we learned that in these true medical emergencies where minutes really mean the difference between life and death, even the 8-minute average EMS response is too slow. 

Today in many states including Arizona a layperson with can give Epinephrin for the allergic reactions of anaphylactic shock. This is a true medical emergency where 8 minutes can be too long, let alone 30 minutes to an hour.  

Today in Arizona anyone can give Narcan for an opioid overdose, and with a couple of hours of training an EMT or law enforcement officer can give Naloxone (Narcan) for an opioid overdose. This is a true medical emergency where time matters, and a volunteer can save a life.

Today in Arizona a layperson with a couple of hours of training can do CPR and use an AED (automatic defibrillator) in a sudden cardiac arrest. FACT Anything over 8-10 minutes and you're dead...

In these cases, 4 or 5 minutes can be too long, let alone 1-2 hours. 

Since EMT's and EMR's use BLS and don't do invasive procedures in the field, they obviously have less liability, not more. Sometimes the best patient care is simply rapid transport to definitive care.

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.