by stillAwitness 18 Replies latest watchtower bible
disruption of the 'audience'
This is the reason why. It also goes along with 'theocratic order.' Work your way up the chain as momma told you to do. Find the attendant, and he will take care of finding first aid. Otherwise, the WTS is not liable for expenses incurred for 911 callouts. The publisher in need of the emergency service would be.
My mother is an RN, and she works first aid at every convention/assembly she attends. Rarely are the first aid stations staffed with doctors though, the University of Awake does not currently offer a medical doctorate degree.
This announcement is just one more example of the controlling nature of the organization. I don't need some pimply faced 18 year old, wannabe Ministerial Servant determining for me whether I actually need an ambulance.
At my church we are instructed to call 911 if an emergency occurs.
That means if a person falls down and is hurt, call 911.
If a purse-snatcher knocks a senior citizen down while ripping her off, call 911.
If a child gets hurt bad enough that they have uncontrollable bleeding, bones in awkward positions, can't walk, etc., call 911.
Ya gotta love how the Watchtower takes care of its sheep.
WTS is also concerned with disruption during the program. I remember when an EMT crew burst into the convention centre and proceeded up an aisle while the speaker blandly rattled on. Trust me, no one was paying attention.
We can't have that.
We have been fortunate in the area were we live the conventions were always staffed by volunteers that were EMT's, RN's,Paramedic's and the last few years the department head was a M.D. My husband volunteered in first aid the past 20 years , he is an EMT-Intermediate . During conventions they ran shifts , and when he was not in first aid he would carry a radio. Each area around the stadium has seating for first aid workers so attendants know where to look. He got frustrated at times though having to follow Watchtower procedure . I agree though if someone is having a heart attack next to me I would call 911 first then get first aid , because time is of the essence in a serious matter like that . It would drive me nuts how long they could take going through the " right " channels because even though the first aid workers may be qualified the pimpled faced attendant worries to much about procedure .
If a medical emergency arises at the convention site, please contact a nearby attendant, who will immedietly notiy First Aid so that our qualified personnel on site can assess the seriousness of the situation and render assistance.
We have a similar policy in my workplace. If there's an emergency we contact Security and they handle the 911 call and escort ambulance attendants to the scene. I have a problem with the Watchtower having such a policy though. Our security personnel here are trained, and are qualified. Since the Watchtower has been very shrill in its condemnation of education, I must assume that few, if any, qualified personnel exist among them. I am not prepared to risk my life or anyone else's by relying on someone whose only qualification may be to assess the amount of dirt on a window.
W
If a medical emergency arises at the convention site, please contact a nearby attendant, who will immedietly notiy First Aid so that our qualified personnel on site can assess the seriousness of the situation and render assistance. If necessary, 911 will be called.
I hate to harp on this (ok, not really lol)....but this is MORE STUPID MEDICAL ADVICE....just like we have seen in the Journal of Church and State....I can envision scenarios when heeding this advice would cause harm. Many emergency conditions such as heart attacks or breathing problems require immediately activating the emergency medical service, not waiting for a response internally. Internal response, even if a qualified medical person is the responder and he/she is quick, has enough support/equipment/supplies to begin stabilization (doubtful), this delays appropriate and possibly life saving care.
If they are getting charged for unneccessary 911 calls, they should say don't call unless it's an emergency and give examples of what an emergency is. I have created policies for my job on when to consider something an emergency vs. nonemergency and put it in layperson terms. It is not hard.
IMO those of us with conventions in our area should research what types of medical personnel are supposed to be on hand according to local regulations and then check to see if they are complying.
Besides, at work (we have the same policy -- call Security & they call 911) no one "assesses" the situation before calling 911. This simply allows the building management to know WHERE the emergency is. If an ambulance shows up at a high rise office building and no one has called Security, that wastes valuable time while they try to find out where the emergency is.
The Society is merely trying to get out of any liability. I'd call 911 first and then let the attendants know I did it -- assuming, of course, that I ever set foot inside a convention again, which is a highly unlikely scenario.
Nina
But guys the liability would be with the WTBTS if someone was seriously injured and there was a delay in treatment because they followed "orders" went to get an attendant, attendant went and talked to someone else, then they went to the injured individual - all the while the individual was dying from complications associated with a disease process that cannot be stop by praying over them. The common question is what duty is held by a group/facility holding a convention/concert to those who attend. Depending on the state and local municipal codes, the duty (translation liability) may be greater on the person in "charge" then the average John Doe. I am surprised the WTBTS would make these announcements and in turn that people would follow through with them because that does open them up to litigation. And think about the disturbance that would cause ... in the news paper, on the internet, on the radio - JWS IN THE NEWS AGAIN BECAUSE SOMEONE DIED AT AN ASSEMBLY FOR FAILURE TO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION BECAUSE AN ATTENDANT DEEMED IT NOT LIFE THREATENING.
