So what you’re saying is that because we haven’t addressed the homeless issue and the addiction issues with any effective programs, it’s costing businesses and health care more money than it should?
Who could have seen that coming?!
They want you to go and wake up the homeless individual before calling 911, to confirm they aren't passed out cold or dead first.
..this sounds like it could lead to a new 911 call.
edit: "If you take that extra two minutes just to pull over and yell at the patient and say, 'do you need help?' Davies said. "We don't recommend going to go shake somebody and alarm them and put yourself in harm's way."
Well, point still stands. Probably best to only do from your vehicle so you don't get stabbed.
Yea, addicts don't want drug free housing because it involves a lot of invasions of privacy to enforce those policies which seem condescending and patronizing. A lot of non-addicts don't want to take up drug free housing because of it.
However, a lot of addicts do, in fact, want treatment and either there are not enough non-profit services or the for-profit ones are entirely out of reach.
A lot of homeless people do not abuse substances though and they deserve housing just as much as people dealing with substance abuse issues do.
You're not wrong, and you could also say it's failure of society when so many people feel the need to turn to drugs and alcohol just to get by.
When folks rely on substances to cope, it shows there's something wrong with how we support each other and address mental health and economic struggles.
It's like an indicator that that there's opportunities to better help people find healthier ways to deal with life's challenges.
Instead of just blaming individuals(which I know you weren't doing) , we should be looking at the bigger picture and figuring out how to create a society where people don't feel so desperate in the first place.
*it's the failure of the individual. Fixed it for you.
Stop skimming over the self-responsibility part. It diminishes their self-worth. Society can, and should, only do so much.
Listen. At the end of the day, it would be cheaper and more effective to prevent people from becoming homeless drug addicts than it is to send ambulances out 600+ times per year plus the other infinite number of ways we’re spending money on reacting to the issue rather than preventing it to begin with.
So sure, you can go ahead and blame the individuals, but the end result is still the same. You’re spending $2 on reacting when you could have spent $.50 on prevention.
Did you read the article? The paramedics are telling Donna Dogooder to stop calling 911 for an ambulance for someone who they think is dying. They're not. Ambulances aren't free. Neither is healthcare.
That's one issue, but that occurred before covid. It's a small part of a bigger issue. The issues that were currently seeing began at the tail end of covid when support resources became more limited and the cost of living increased.
So my opinion does not represent the company I work for...
Too many times I've been called for a person who is resting in a park or whatever. They tell me they are ok and they move along about their day. While I understand people may be concerned about someone laying on the ground especially with opiod epidemic.
It would be nice if good samaratins would go and check on said person to make sure they are ok. It would save a lot of time and resources.
As someone that lives in Saskatoon (area). I am not approaching anyone. There are two options if I think someone is in distress:
1) Call the cops/911.
2) Ignore it and go about my day.
Too many times in this shithole city, someone has been stabbed by trying to help out.
I think just do option 1 if you are too afraid. At the end of the day who cares, if you are wrong at least you did something.
Also, I’d like some sources for your last claim. Good samaritans too often being stabbed. I know it is the internet but I’m legit genuine - I’d love a collection of sources to refer to if it’s an “all too often” thing! How else can we make change other than by presenting evidence ! Your findings might be usable :)
You're not wrong but then you're asking people to approach strangers in a park.
I called 911 yesterday because I came upon a blood covered woman lying in the middle of the street. Standing next to her was a tweaked out dude. I recognized both of them, as they live in a nearby meth house. She was in very horrible condition and the operator kept asking me to go check on her breathing...I had to say "there is another tweaker standing over her, I will be staying in my truck" 3 times before the operator finally dropped it. I'll call 911 if it's necessary but it will be very hard to convince me to approach anyone...not in the current state of things.
Just shows WHY ambulances are having this issue. People are unable to think critically or evaluate situations independently.
They perceive someone napping in a park as being the same as someone covered in blood, presenting the same level of threat. People are so stupid.
All I said is be cautious. Yes check. No blindly calling ambulances. If you live somewhere that isn't dangerous, good for you. Calling me stupid makes you a child.
Maybe...maybe not. It's true that each situation needs assessment but walking up to a stranger in a park contains risk and people should act with awareness in the very least.
That person "napping" could have mental health issues. It's a stranger - they could be dangerous. Would you recommend your grandmother approach one of these people who could turn violent? People deserve reasonable safety even if trying to be a good samaritan. All this request will do is prevent people from calling at all.
You’ve been conditioned by the media and internet to think the world is a super dangerous place when it’s really not. Calling someone else naive for not realizing that is wild.
Whatever, bubble boy. Stay in your bunker with your gun and doorbell cam to protect yourself from the thousands of predators who roam the streets in Regina just waiting to attack you.
Are you actually worried that simply yelling “are you ok, do you need medical attention” from your car window will lead to rape/robbery/murder? If so get some fucking help.
How close do you think you might need to get to see if someone is napping or has overdosed? How would you tell the difference from 30,20,10,5 feet away?
How about people get off their fat asses, get out of their vehicles and GO TALK TO THE PERSON. This isn’t rocket science.
Wow, the paranoia is insane here.
What does talking get you? You say “Are you ok?!” And they’re strung out but say “Ya I’m fine.” You just walk away now? Don’t call anyone? Many people are still able to respond even though they’re about to be unconscious and/or die.
This is why the operator ticked me off. The continual requests for me to put myself in harms way were ridiculous. A lot of people might be guilted into it.
I mean you could see she was blood covered. I think the issue is people for example calling 911 for a car in the ditch but not stopping to even see if there’s someone in the vehicle and continue driving.
For sure your safety is important. Perhaps I could clarify that I meant I have been to so many 'man downs' where it is only someone asleep and they do not want our help.
If you do see that someone is injured or you are close enough they aren't breathing then by all means call.
The big issue is someone calls and leaves. They think someone may need help but they have not established that with that person.
Two summers ago, I encountered so many "frozen like statues" people in my daily walks. I would just approach them and say "hey buddy, you OK?". They usually responded after a few seconds. I'd say, You're just resting, eh? They would again respond and I'd just let them be.
One guy didn't respond, so I flagged down a passing bicyclist to call for help (I don't carry a cell phone.)
If you do drugs, don't be alone. Passed out people are really vulnerable--to robbery, to assault or worse.
Oh pray tell! On the regular, how do you personally go about nursing to health the local drug addicts you come across in your life? :’) My goodness, what a saint among us! To actively investigate when someone lay crumpled on the dark streets and says “I’m ok” or similar, who actually takes the time to act as a modern day Mother Theresa to the cretins in their time of need ! - “I’m ok, isn’t good enough for me darn it, let’s get you to warm bed and a hot meal” I bet you say :) God bless you!! Thank you for doing all that you do for Saskatoon my friend.
Coming at this as a volunteer Medical First Responder, providing pre-ambulance care in rural Saskatchewan. This issue has provided us some rather frustrating calls in rural areas. One example I can provide is calling in rollovers that have been looked after and taped by RCMP. Passerby can't be bothered to stop and check so in effect have taken an ambulance out of service for nothing. In one weekend we were dispatched four times to the same scene. There have been other situations where passerby have provided incorrect information to describe the scene, and caused us to continue looking for something that doesn't exist. Take a moment to check the scene so you can assess if it needs to be called in (is it already taped by RCMP yellow tape, or EMS blue tape?). Can you wait around a little to help guide us to the proper location?
Would the prefer the alternative to someone not calling if they see help? Say it was your 16 year old daughter driving by, would you suggest she stop the car and go check or send someone who is trained and an adult to do a wellness check. Myself included, I’m not stopping my car with my small children inside to check on someone who is drunk or on drugs, or being violent or in a violent altercation, but will call the police or ambulance from afar if I think someone may be in need.
If you actually took the time to read the article It literally says
“If you take that extra two minutes just to pull over and yell at the patient and say, 'do you need help?' Davies said.
"We don't recommend going to go shake somebody and alarm them and put yourself in harm's way."
And goes on to elaborate about safety first. But ya know, “won’t somebody’s PLEASE think of the children?!”. Better to teach them to ignore those “undesirables” am I right? ;)
We shouldn't be encouraging folks to do this. If the individual's status is truly unknown, a check should be performed by a social worker or otherwise trained professional.
All this sort of message does is encourage people not to call. It would be like if we were asked to check if a driver who is driving oddly is truly impaired before calling 911. If more social workers are needed, then let's hire them to represent the true cost of homelessness.
This happens way too often. People on their phones just randomly calling 911 from their car a mile away. At one time in history people actually interacted with other people.
This is because it takes exactly one bad interaction with an aggressive addict to forever make a person want to avoid them, and the problem is a lot more widespread than it was "at one point in history." Don't be so naive. What if the caller had kids with them?
And also don't blame regular people for choosing to be cautious, this is entirely the fault of the system underfunding both preventative care and EMS.
I’m sure I saw an article not long ago pouting to how people aren’t calling for EMS as often as they should be.
Here it is.
“Flatlander Express says it released its security camera video to raise public awareness. It believes that in cases like this, motorists should at least roll down their window and inquire if help is needed. **Regina police say that if something doesn’t seem right, 911 should be called.**”
https://regina.ctvnews.ca/security-footage-shows-people-passing-by-regina-man-who-died-on-street-corner-1.6722594
Now see, the thing is that these are triaged. And because the determinant is a “life status questionable” these calls take priority and get dispatched over basically all other calls besides confirmed not conscious, not breathing - aka cardiac arrests where someone is directly checking on said patient
Here is the thing. If they are an addict, they can be quite volatile.
I’ve had a good friend have to go through the regiment of pills, testing and abstinence after getting stuck with an HIV needle. It’s fucking crazy how many folks that use IV drugs have HIV in Sask.
You being overwhelmed at work does not have priority over my safety. There are lots of other folks for you to vent your frustrations to (looking at the 3 levels of government), but it’s not the general public.
Here's the issue though, it DOES impact your and your families safety when emergency resources are being taken up for calls that aren't necessary. One of your family members having a heart attack? Welp all available Paramedics are wrapped up at one of these calls instead. They've increased the amount of ambulances available for services recently, but there needs to be more awareness for what constitutes an emergency call.
I'm not saying that the government doesn't need to put more resources and supports into place to support at risk populations, they do, but there also needs to be public awareness as to what's an emergency and what's not as well.
The fact that this takes up resources is not lost on me.
It is about risk assessment. If the situation seems like it might be dangerous or too much for a person to handle, call the authorities.
You are asking me to approach/interact with someone who maybe in need . I live in the Heritage area. This is what I see on a daily basis. I don’t mind living amongst the unhoused (my only real bitch is the individuals that throw shit on the ground when binning). I am concerned about human life, so I will call if there is a need. I will not risk my safety.
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No one is asking you to to shake the person awake. What they are asking for is to take a look or say hi and see if they respond. Or maybe even to not call for no other reason than the person is laying down.
These individuals whom are on street drugs very seldomly respond to verbal prompts. I’ve come across a person laying in my back alley blocking the road, I can see that they are breathing. Get out “hey hey hey can you move” and nothing. I honk my horn, nothing no movement. So, I call 911.
Our individual experiences shape our unique perspective.
Right, but that's not the situation they are talking about.
You literally tried, that's all they are asking for, instead of going straight to 911. Someone passed out blocking your driveway is a touch different than someone sleeping in a park/park bench.
The example was to show that even the car horn wasn’t rousing them. Verbal prompts are not always enough, that’s first aid class basics. To use the park bench or bus shelter situation, if they seem to be breathing I’ll keep walking. If I can’t tell, and it doesn’t feel safe, call the authorities.
It’s all about community care! It’s not difficult to talk to a person or honk when driving by to see if a response happens.
More people need to be aware of what an overdose is vs just someone resting. Narcan is easily accessible at pharmacies and helps decrease the need for ambulances and other emergency services. More often than not the dispatcher can walk you through what to do and the person will not need the ambulance.
I frequently call 911 for people who look in distress hitch hiking or appear to be passed out. I work with people who have mental health issues - I’m not putting myself in a situation where I could be put in danger checking on someone.
On another note - in the last 2 years I’ve been involved in medical emergencies in public where no one has called 911. I probably would have appreciated the help if they had 🤷🏼♀️.
It's a miracle people are still working in H.C, after being treated like shit the last 4 years, and our own government not sticking up for us against their base.
Honestly what we really need is to detain junkies. There’s this alcoholic disabled lady that would drink every day and when she got tired she’d get on a bus, pretend to have a heart attack and have the bus driver call an ambulance.
These frequent fliers represent a huge drain on resources. If they keep killing themselves they should be in an institution where we prevent self harm.
Or just let them die. IDGAF.
So u feel an ambulance and a fire truck should respond for every person that is sleeping in a park or on a bench ? Do you know how many times a day this occurs ? Massive waste of resources
Then maybe we need to assign resources who are properly trained for these scenarios. This isn’t something we should be blaming the general population for.
So what you’re saying is that because we haven’t addressed the homeless issue and the addiction issues with any effective programs, it’s costing businesses and health care more money than it should? Who could have seen that coming?!
They want you to go and wake up the homeless individual before calling 911, to confirm they aren't passed out cold or dead first. ..this sounds like it could lead to a new 911 call. edit: "If you take that extra two minutes just to pull over and yell at the patient and say, 'do you need help?' Davies said. "We don't recommend going to go shake somebody and alarm them and put yourself in harm's way." Well, point still stands. Probably best to only do from your vehicle so you don't get stabbed.
You're incorrectly believing that a far higher percentage of these types actually want treatment or drug-free housing.
Yea, addicts don't want drug free housing because it involves a lot of invasions of privacy to enforce those policies which seem condescending and patronizing. A lot of non-addicts don't want to take up drug free housing because of it. However, a lot of addicts do, in fact, want treatment and either there are not enough non-profit services or the for-profit ones are entirely out of reach. A lot of homeless people do not abuse substances though and they deserve housing just as much as people dealing with substance abuse issues do.
You're not wrong, and you could also say it's failure of society when so many people feel the need to turn to drugs and alcohol just to get by. When folks rely on substances to cope, it shows there's something wrong with how we support each other and address mental health and economic struggles. It's like an indicator that that there's opportunities to better help people find healthier ways to deal with life's challenges. Instead of just blaming individuals(which I know you weren't doing) , we should be looking at the bigger picture and figuring out how to create a society where people don't feel so desperate in the first place.
*it's the failure of the individual. Fixed it for you. Stop skimming over the self-responsibility part. It diminishes their self-worth. Society can, and should, only do so much.
Listen. At the end of the day, it would be cheaper and more effective to prevent people from becoming homeless drug addicts than it is to send ambulances out 600+ times per year plus the other infinite number of ways we’re spending money on reacting to the issue rather than preventing it to begin with. So sure, you can go ahead and blame the individuals, but the end result is still the same. You’re spending $2 on reacting when you could have spent $.50 on prevention.
Or just stop sending ambulances.
How would the paramedics know that it’s not an actual emergency if they don’t show up and assess the patient?
Did you read the article? The paramedics are telling Donna Dogooder to stop calling 911 for an ambulance for someone who they think is dying. They're not. Ambulances aren't free. Neither is healthcare.
Then why was the homeless, crime, and opioid issue less of an issue when there were more resources available to them?
Because their rent money went directly to landlords instead of into their arms at the missing shopping cart encampments.
That's one issue, but that occurred before covid. It's a small part of a bigger issue. The issues that were currently seeing began at the tail end of covid when support resources became more limited and the cost of living increased.
So my opinion does not represent the company I work for... Too many times I've been called for a person who is resting in a park or whatever. They tell me they are ok and they move along about their day. While I understand people may be concerned about someone laying on the ground especially with opiod epidemic. It would be nice if good samaratins would go and check on said person to make sure they are ok. It would save a lot of time and resources.
As someone that lives in Saskatoon (area). I am not approaching anyone. There are two options if I think someone is in distress: 1) Call the cops/911. 2) Ignore it and go about my day. Too many times in this shithole city, someone has been stabbed by trying to help out.
I think just do option 1 if you are too afraid. At the end of the day who cares, if you are wrong at least you did something. Also, I’d like some sources for your last claim. Good samaritans too often being stabbed. I know it is the internet but I’m legit genuine - I’d love a collection of sources to refer to if it’s an “all too often” thing! How else can we make change other than by presenting evidence ! Your findings might be usable :)
You're not wrong but then you're asking people to approach strangers in a park. I called 911 yesterday because I came upon a blood covered woman lying in the middle of the street. Standing next to her was a tweaked out dude. I recognized both of them, as they live in a nearby meth house. She was in very horrible condition and the operator kept asking me to go check on her breathing...I had to say "there is another tweaker standing over her, I will be staying in my truck" 3 times before the operator finally dropped it. I'll call 911 if it's necessary but it will be very hard to convince me to approach anyone...not in the current state of things.
That scenario isn’t like someone napping in a park.
Exactly
Just shows WHY ambulances are having this issue. People are unable to think critically or evaluate situations independently. They perceive someone napping in a park as being the same as someone covered in blood, presenting the same level of threat. People are so stupid.
All I said is be cautious. Yes check. No blindly calling ambulances. If you live somewhere that isn't dangerous, good for you. Calling me stupid makes you a child.
Maybe...maybe not. It's true that each situation needs assessment but walking up to a stranger in a park contains risk and people should act with awareness in the very least.
Real life really isn’t that scary. Step away from the internet for a while.
Hurrrrrr
That person "napping" could have mental health issues. It's a stranger - they could be dangerous. Would you recommend your grandmother approach one of these people who could turn violent? People deserve reasonable safety even if trying to be a good samaritan. All this request will do is prevent people from calling at all.
Gawd, how do some of you function in the real world with your overwhelming fear of interacting with other humans.
Apparently we are not all as naive when it comes to the issues affecting society.
You’ve been conditioned by the media and internet to think the world is a super dangerous place when it’s really not. Calling someone else naive for not realizing that is wild.
Whatever, bubble boy. Stay in your bunker with your gun and doorbell cam to protect yourself from the thousands of predators who roam the streets in Regina just waiting to attack you.
Are you actually worried that simply yelling “are you ok, do you need medical attention” from your car window will lead to rape/robbery/murder? If so get some fucking help.
How close do you think you might need to get to see if someone is napping or has overdosed? How would you tell the difference from 30,20,10,5 feet away?
How about people get off their fat asses, get out of their vehicles and GO TALK TO THE PERSON. This isn’t rocket science. Wow, the paranoia is insane here.
What does talking get you? You say “Are you ok?!” And they’re strung out but say “Ya I’m fine.” You just walk away now? Don’t call anyone? Many people are still able to respond even though they’re about to be unconscious and/or die.
Not everyone who is strung out needs an ambulance.
"Hey you ok" *Yes* "You need an ambulance?" *No* "Ok have a good day"
This is the textbook response as far as I’m concerned. Not trained? No PPE? Call in the pros, keep yourself safe.
This is why the operator ticked me off. The continual requests for me to put myself in harms way were ridiculous. A lot of people might be guilted into it.
I mean you could see she was blood covered. I think the issue is people for example calling 911 for a car in the ditch but not stopping to even see if there’s someone in the vehicle and continue driving.
For sure your safety is important. Perhaps I could clarify that I meant I have been to so many 'man downs' where it is only someone asleep and they do not want our help. If you do see that someone is injured or you are close enough they aren't breathing then by all means call. The big issue is someone calls and leaves. They think someone may need help but they have not established that with that person.
Two summers ago, I encountered so many "frozen like statues" people in my daily walks. I would just approach them and say "hey buddy, you OK?". They usually responded after a few seconds. I'd say, You're just resting, eh? They would again respond and I'd just let them be. One guy didn't respond, so I flagged down a passing bicyclist to call for help (I don't carry a cell phone.) If you do drugs, don't be alone. Passed out people are really vulnerable--to robbery, to assault or worse.
Thank you for being someone who checks in with people.
Just because someone is capable of a response, doesn’t always mean that they’re actually “ok”.
Oh pray tell! On the regular, how do you personally go about nursing to health the local drug addicts you come across in your life? :’) My goodness, what a saint among us! To actively investigate when someone lay crumpled on the dark streets and says “I’m ok” or similar, who actually takes the time to act as a modern day Mother Theresa to the cretins in their time of need ! - “I’m ok, isn’t good enough for me darn it, let’s get you to warm bed and a hot meal” I bet you say :) God bless you!! Thank you for doing all that you do for Saskatoon my friend.
I don't think too many people passing out after doing drugs in public have done a serious risk assessment of their actions.
Coming at this as a volunteer Medical First Responder, providing pre-ambulance care in rural Saskatchewan. This issue has provided us some rather frustrating calls in rural areas. One example I can provide is calling in rollovers that have been looked after and taped by RCMP. Passerby can't be bothered to stop and check so in effect have taken an ambulance out of service for nothing. In one weekend we were dispatched four times to the same scene. There have been other situations where passerby have provided incorrect information to describe the scene, and caused us to continue looking for something that doesn't exist. Take a moment to check the scene so you can assess if it needs to be called in (is it already taped by RCMP yellow tape, or EMS blue tape?). Can you wait around a little to help guide us to the proper location?
This is a ploy by "big stab" to get us hurt more and drive even more money for the ambulance companies. I see right through this simple plot
Would the prefer the alternative to someone not calling if they see help? Say it was your 16 year old daughter driving by, would you suggest she stop the car and go check or send someone who is trained and an adult to do a wellness check. Myself included, I’m not stopping my car with my small children inside to check on someone who is drunk or on drugs, or being violent or in a violent altercation, but will call the police or ambulance from afar if I think someone may be in need.
If you actually took the time to read the article It literally says “If you take that extra two minutes just to pull over and yell at the patient and say, 'do you need help?' Davies said. "We don't recommend going to go shake somebody and alarm them and put yourself in harm's way." And goes on to elaborate about safety first. But ya know, “won’t somebody’s PLEASE think of the children?!”. Better to teach them to ignore those “undesirables” am I right? ;)
We shouldn't be encouraging folks to do this. If the individual's status is truly unknown, a check should be performed by a social worker or otherwise trained professional. All this sort of message does is encourage people not to call. It would be like if we were asked to check if a driver who is driving oddly is truly impaired before calling 911. If more social workers are needed, then let's hire them to represent the true cost of homelessness.
This happens way too often. People on their phones just randomly calling 911 from their car a mile away. At one time in history people actually interacted with other people.
This is because it takes exactly one bad interaction with an aggressive addict to forever make a person want to avoid them, and the problem is a lot more widespread than it was "at one point in history." Don't be so naive. What if the caller had kids with them? And also don't blame regular people for choosing to be cautious, this is entirely the fault of the system underfunding both preventative care and EMS.
I’m sure I saw an article not long ago pouting to how people aren’t calling for EMS as often as they should be. Here it is. “Flatlander Express says it released its security camera video to raise public awareness. It believes that in cases like this, motorists should at least roll down their window and inquire if help is needed. **Regina police say that if something doesn’t seem right, 911 should be called.**” https://regina.ctvnews.ca/security-footage-shows-people-passing-by-regina-man-who-died-on-street-corner-1.6722594
Pull up in your car, roll down the window and ask if they are ok. No response? Call 911
what if the earth's crust turned into peanut butter and all the buildings sank and everyone drowned? checkmate atheists
I like my internal organs on the inside, thank you. See something say something.
And that paramedic you called for your loved one? Sorry they’re not available, they are tied up responding to a “man down” on a park bench
Yup. People need to be reasonable. Imagine this happening 10, 15, 20 times a day
Triage. The call taker should be triaging calls and dispatching accordingly
Now see, the thing is that these are triaged. And because the determinant is a “life status questionable” these calls take priority and get dispatched over basically all other calls besides confirmed not conscious, not breathing - aka cardiac arrests where someone is directly checking on said patient
At one time in history, they weren't robbed or threatened with a needle.
Here is the thing. If they are an addict, they can be quite volatile. I’ve had a good friend have to go through the regiment of pills, testing and abstinence after getting stuck with an HIV needle. It’s fucking crazy how many folks that use IV drugs have HIV in Sask. You being overwhelmed at work does not have priority over my safety. There are lots of other folks for you to vent your frustrations to (looking at the 3 levels of government), but it’s not the general public.
Here's the issue though, it DOES impact your and your families safety when emergency resources are being taken up for calls that aren't necessary. One of your family members having a heart attack? Welp all available Paramedics are wrapped up at one of these calls instead. They've increased the amount of ambulances available for services recently, but there needs to be more awareness for what constitutes an emergency call. I'm not saying that the government doesn't need to put more resources and supports into place to support at risk populations, they do, but there also needs to be public awareness as to what's an emergency and what's not as well.
The fact that this takes up resources is not lost on me. It is about risk assessment. If the situation seems like it might be dangerous or too much for a person to handle, call the authorities.
Not even close to what I’m saying. Nice try though
You are asking me to approach/interact with someone who maybe in need . I live in the Heritage area. This is what I see on a daily basis. I don’t mind living amongst the unhoused (my only real bitch is the individuals that throw shit on the ground when binning). I am concerned about human life, so I will call if there is a need. I will not risk my safety.
No one is saying you have to approach them. You could just yell across the street or from your vehicle and ask if they're okay/need help.
"If there is a need" is key here.
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No one is asking you to to shake the person awake. What they are asking for is to take a look or say hi and see if they respond. Or maybe even to not call for no other reason than the person is laying down.
These individuals whom are on street drugs very seldomly respond to verbal prompts. I’ve come across a person laying in my back alley blocking the road, I can see that they are breathing. Get out “hey hey hey can you move” and nothing. I honk my horn, nothing no movement. So, I call 911. Our individual experiences shape our unique perspective.
Right, but that's not the situation they are talking about. You literally tried, that's all they are asking for, instead of going straight to 911. Someone passed out blocking your driveway is a touch different than someone sleeping in a park/park bench.
The example was to show that even the car horn wasn’t rousing them. Verbal prompts are not always enough, that’s first aid class basics. To use the park bench or bus shelter situation, if they seem to be breathing I’ll keep walking. If I can’t tell, and it doesn’t feel safe, call the authorities.
At one time in history mental health and addictions were not such large concerns. Unstable people are sometimes not safe to approach.
If any one of those calls saved a life… it’s worth it!
It’s all about community care! It’s not difficult to talk to a person or honk when driving by to see if a response happens. More people need to be aware of what an overdose is vs just someone resting. Narcan is easily accessible at pharmacies and helps decrease the need for ambulances and other emergency services. More often than not the dispatcher can walk you through what to do and the person will not need the ambulance.
Is Medavie not a private company, therefore able to just refuse to attend these if they choose?
No they cannot refuse
Thanks for the reply. I guess it’s time to move on and accept that people will call in.
I frequently call 911 for people who look in distress hitch hiking or appear to be passed out. I work with people who have mental health issues - I’m not putting myself in a situation where I could be put in danger checking on someone. On another note - in the last 2 years I’ve been involved in medical emergencies in public where no one has called 911. I probably would have appreciated the help if they had 🤷🏼♀️.
It's a miracle people are still working in H.C, after being treated like shit the last 4 years, and our own government not sticking up for us against their base.
Dispatch should be able to determine level of response required.
Honestly what we really need is to detain junkies. There’s this alcoholic disabled lady that would drink every day and when she got tired she’d get on a bus, pretend to have a heart attack and have the bus driver call an ambulance. These frequent fliers represent a huge drain on resources. If they keep killing themselves they should be in an institution where we prevent self harm. Or just let them die. IDGAF.
"Stop calling about the homeless, we don't want to help 'those people '."
That’s not what they said said, and you know it.
What a horrible take. Ambulances are hard enough to get for those in desperate need right now, no need to make them look bad.
Government: reduce funding to health care Government: reduce funding for homeless solutions Government: blame good Samaritans for ambulance shortage
So u feel an ambulance and a fire truck should respond for every person that is sleeping in a park or on a bench ? Do you know how many times a day this occurs ? Massive waste of resources
Then maybe we need to assign resources who are properly trained for these scenarios. This isn’t something we should be blaming the general population for.