First Aid Abandonment: Definition, Risks, and Responsibilities

Definition

Abandonment in first aid = leaving an injured/ill person without providing reasonable care or ensuring transfer to equal/higher care.

Legal & Ethical Duty

• Duty to Act: Arises from role (lifeguard, teacher, designated responder), voluntary assumption of care, or special relationship.
• Good Samaritan Laws: Protect voluntary rescuers acting in good faith within training. Do not protect gross negligence or abandonment after starting care.
• Professional Obligation: Licensed providers (EMT, RN, MD) have higher duty; abandonment = license discipline, civil liability, criminal charges.

Consequences

• Victim: Worsened outcome, death.
• Rescuer: Lawsuit, license revocation, criminal negligence, loss of certification.
• Organization: Vicarious liability, OSHA citations, reputation loss.

How to Avoid

1. Assess scene safety FIRST.
2. Call EMS early (911).
3. Provide care within your training until:
4. EMS arrives & assumes care, OR
5. Patient refuses (competent adult), OR
6. You are physically unable to continue, OR
7. Another trained responder takes over (verbal handoff).
8. Document: time, condition, actions, handoff.

Bottom Line

Once you start, you stay until properly relieved. Training emphasizes this legal/moral continuum.