What happens if someone gets sick at an Assembly?

by MinisterAmos 23 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  MinisterAmos

  I keep meaning to ask one of the super dubs this question, but I'm afraid it will "stumble" them. In the weeks before Assembly we are given the list of do's and don'ts at Ministry school.

  One of the instructions is always something like "If you notice that a person has become ill (has an attack etc.) DO NOT call 911 Emergency but either take the person to 1st aid or bring one of the brothers in first aid to the person." You get the idea.

  The question is, who the Fark are the brothers in 1st aid and what are their qualifications? I know for an absolute fact that at least one of the brothers this W/E is not an MD, and in fact is a auto mechanic; yet he is given authority to perform triage?

  Interestingly enough, these brothers also offer to assist the sisters that need a rest or are breast feeding their babies. They wander in and out at will.

  In my ignorance I ASSumed (at my first Assembly) that these are trained medical personnel. They are not. Anyone know what's up with this other than an enormous reaming the first time someone dies because witnesses have to check before calling 911?
• 

  Kaput

  We always had a sister present at the assemblies who was a nurse, with a brother available to assist. Haven't attended for a couple of years, so I don't know if they've switched to using EMT wannabies.
• 

  misspeaches

  I know that they have used qualified people (nurses, paramedics, doctors) etc in Australian assemblies. Having said that personally if someone was not well I damn well would ring emergency, 911 or 000 whatever. For starters they just won’t have the equipment to treat life or death situations. Do the WTBTS want to be liable for someones death? For crying out loud…
• 

  outoftheorg

  In the early 1970's I was asked to take over the first aid station at the local assemblies. I knew that they asked me because my now ex wife was an RN nurse.

  Now get this. They wanted me to use our large station wagon as the ambulance. I said ok, then I find out that we could not even give an aspirin. We only had bandaids and only things that could be put on the skin and a few places to lie down.

  We had several older folks with heart problems. So at the meeting that is for elders when the c.o. is there I asked if we "the circuit" could purchase a small Oxygen delivery system. At that time I think we would only spend around $50.00 for it.

  You would of thought I wanted a Cadilac ambulance. One of the more arrogant elders YELLED out that is 2nd aid-- we only want 1st aid. Then the co joined in and yelled the same thing.

  I called to their attention that the " worldly people supply this for their old folks at large gatherings like base ball etc. and we are not"?

  This seemed to really piss them off as they had no suitable answer.

  We were only about 4 blocks from a fire station and their ambulances and about 12 miles to the nearest Hospital.

  This got me to thinking about the personal liability I and my ex wife were taking on and knew the wbts wouldn't cover our asses.

  I tell the elders, much to their dislike that we were no longer accepting this position.

  This and later 1975 and a few other things was the final straw .

  What a bunch of ignorant idiots.

  Outoftheorg
• 

  purplesofa

  It seems like there would be some law of the land where there would have to be emergency help om standby at large gatherings.....especially district conventions.

  I never have given it any thought till you brought it up.
• 

  blondie

  I see it as a means to avoid a lawsuit. I can't imagine they are stupid enough to think that a "spiritually qualified" brother in charge of first aid can fix a broken leg. Fewer and fewer JWs have the necessary medical qualifications, let alone volunteer (EMTs, firefighters, RNs and MDs). Usually, they are too important (or worried about being sued).

  ***

  km 4/04 p. 5 Be Holy in All Your Conduct ***

  If you observe an accident in the facility, instead of calling 911, please inform an attendant or the First Aid Department. Qualified medical assistance is available on site.

  ***

  km 5/97 p. 5 1997 "Faith in God’s Word" District Convention ***

  First

  Aid: The First Aid Department is for emergencies only. It is not able to care for the chronically ill. That is why you should consider the health needs of yourself and your family in advance. Please bring your own aspirin, digestive aids, bandages, safety pins, and similar items, as such things will not be available at the convention. Any known to be at risk of seizures, insulin shock, heart problems, and so forth, should anticipate their needs to the extent possible. They should have the necessary medication, and a member of the family or the congregation who understands their situation should be present with them at all times to provide any needed assistance. Problems have arisen at conventions when individuals with chronic health problems were left alone and became ill. The convention administration has had to contact emergency medical services to take them to a hospital. If some with special health needs do not have family members who can assist them, their congregation elders will need to be apprised of the situation and make necessary arrangements to help. No provision will be made at the conventions for special rooms to accommodate those who have allergies.
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  Nathan Natas

  "Brothers, the world in its faithlessness relies on medical intervention, but WE have the resurrection."

  (the above statment is parody and was not actually stated by anyone as far as I am aware.)
• 

  jgnat

  That sounds about right, Blondie. If someone takes ill it's the sheep's fault. At one of the past conventions a senior took a serious tumble on the portable stairs. At every announcement break for the rest of the convention, the speaker admonished the conventioneers to take care on those darn stairs.
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  Scully

  When we used to attend (this is more than 10 years ago) the Brother™ in charge of the First Aid Department was a fire fighter, with first aid, rescue and other credentials. He was (at that time) also trained to teach CPR. We actually hosted a CPR training session for some of the people in our congregation, and he was the CPR instructor we chose to do the course.
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  outoftheorg

  Scully That sounds like a more reasonable and effective approach to giving medical help.

  Could it be that at different locations they are more sensible about medical help, or have things changed since the 1970's?

  Outoftheorg