Posted on 05/24/2017 7:24:58 AM PDT by SandRat
PALOMINAS — A Sierra Vista teen is the face of a new law that will help ease the scare of helping others.
Jennifer Fonseca’s journey began in 2015 while hiking at Ramsey Canyon with two family members. During the trek, they encountered an injured person who was not breathing.
Each person in Fonseca’s group performed CPR on the individual until first responders — including the Palominas Fire District — arrived. Unfortunately though, the injured hiker succumbed to his injuries.
“For a 16-year-old, that is a lot to take in,” Fonseca, 18, said. “We tried to help him, regardless of how scary seeing those open wounds up close.”
Palominas Fire Chief Mark Matthews met Fonseca and her family members at the scene.
“These individuals did mouth-to-mouth CPR to help this man, which is admirable. They were exposed to blood as well,” he said. “But they could’ve caught bloodborne or airborne pathogens, so we tried to get them tested. That is where the story took a turn.”
In Arizona, if an individual believes they were exposed to a bloodborne or airborne disease after performing first aid, they would have to get permission from the recipient to conduct a blood test. If the recipient has died, the permission lies in the hands of a judge.
According to Matthews, that statute does not apply to first responders or members of law enforcement.
“How does that ease others wanting to help?” Matthews said. “Our schools give CPR classes to students and they become certified. Its rules like this that make others possibly afraid to help, another opportunity of saving a life.”
While the outcome of that 2015 incident wasn’t positive, the impact it had on Fonseca certainly is. After graduating from Buena High School, Fonseca joined PFD as a firefighter-emergency medical technician (EMT).
“I wanted to help people and I enjoy it,” she said.
Matthews and Fonseca wanted to help others outside of the fire district by overturned the law.
In early 2017, they made contact with state Sen. Gail Griffin, R-Ariz. and told them their story.
“I couldn’t believe what I heard and wanted to join them in their crusade,” Griffin said.
The group made their way to a hearing with the state Senate Health Committee in February.
“It was very intimidating,” Matthews said. “We even had lobbyists approaching us on the matter. This has never happened to me before in my life.”
Fonseca called the hearing “overwhelming.”
“We knew we were doing the right thing. We just wanted the state to be on our side,” she said.
And luckily for them, it worked.
The committee voted unanimously on Feb. 15 to pass SB 1201, also known as “Jennifer’s Law.”
The bill — sponsored by Griffin — gives everyone the right to be tested after being exposed to blood or performing direct mouth-to-mouth CPR during a first-aid attempt, without having permission from the recipient or court system.
“Think about this, in MMA fighting, both parties have to be tested before each match to make sure they are not exposing their opponent of airborne or bloodborne diseases,” Matthews said. “If someone wants to help another through mouth-to-mouth CPR, they shouldn’t question whether the law will be on their side afterwards.”
On March 23, the House Health Committee voted unanimously in support of Jennifer’s Law.
Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill into law on May 3. Fonseca, her parents, and Griffin along with Matthews were in attendance.
“She (Fonseca) is an intelligent, bright, young woman with a great future ahead of her,” Griffin said. “I encourage her to shoot for the stars. I thank Buena High School for implementing the CPR program.”
Fonseca moved to Colorado on May 21.
“My next step is to get my paramedic certification,” she said. “I can see myself in this field for a long time.”
Jennifer’s Law will take in effect in August.
If you’re giving mouth to mouth then you are doing CPR wrong under current guidelines.
Like so many current federally issued “guide lines”?
American Heart Association
http://cpr.heart.org/AHAECC/CPRAndECC/Programs/HandsOnlyCPR/UCM_473196_Hands-Only-CPR.jsp
100 bpm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GFTNEbu2FU
120 bpm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sZD0Avi8Qs
I learnd in the Boy Scouts begining during IKE’s last year in office, when, what and how to do CPR. Then many rimes more in 20+ years in the Army plus all the way up to the end of 2011 when I left Scouts.
The key being “under current guidelines”. The unofficial opinion of the various Red Cross instructors I’ve certified with has pretty much unanimously been that the guidelines change frequently for the purpose of making everyone re-certify so the RC can collect more fees.
The “two breaths” part of the CPR cycle was dropped (apart from the above) mostly because it was harder for amateurs to include in the process. It’s easier in a panic situation to just keep pumping, rather than having to remember 15 compressions/2 breaths. During my last certification (admittedly years ago) the two breaths were included not only for the additional air you’re putting in the victim’s lungs, but also so you have a chance to listen for the vic to start breathing on their own, and to check for a pulse.
Ummmm... what am I missing? If she thinks she’s been exposed, why does she need to get anyone’s permission? Isn’t that (cough abortion cough) a private medical matter between her and her doctor?
I could see it if you’re trying to get the OTHER person tested.
This is a smiler.
I just got recertified, and both the compression-only and the 30:2 methods were presented. The 30:2 method was still better than compression-only method, as you are providing more oxygen to the body than just compression-only, but the 30:2 method was only recommended when you had a breathing barrier, or if you were certain about the victim not having something that could eventually impact you. Otherwise it was compression only until either an AED kit (which should have a breathing barrier) or emergency personnel arrive.
"NOTE: The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children and victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems."
It’s surprising that a gaggle of lawyers representing the victim aren’t suing her, her family and the first responders for a gazillion dollars.
...some animals are more equal than others.
They realize that Officer Jennifer Law is untoughabl, with being loved and protected by Huachuca City Police & Fire, Benson Police & Fire, Sierra Vista Police & Fire, Palominas Police & Fire, Ft Huachuca Military Police & Fire, Elfrida Police & Fire, Naco Police & Fire, Bisbee Police & Fire, Tombstone Police & Fire, Cochise County Sheriff Department, Pattagonia Police & Fire, the entire B Troop 4th Memorial Cav Rgt, AZ Rangers, AZ State Police Souhern Sector, US Border Patrol SouthEast Sector
Don’t think any lawyer or gang of lawters wants to go against that.
That isn’t the point of this - it is about insane, stupid, ridiculous laws (typical for government) being overturned by a handful of people with some common sense.
As to your reply - that’s all well-and-good for those who just recently went through training/certification. But for those of us who haven’t been through such training in decades - we just do what we were taught back then (and it does work). I guess we who have not been recently trained should just let someone die...
It is...thanks for posting. Some “rules” are really stupid!
Officer Jennifer Law is untoughable, with her being loved and protected by the Huachuca City Police & Fire, Benson Police & Fire, Sierra Vista Police & Fire, Palominas Police & Fire, Ft Huachuca Military Police & Fire, Elfrida Police & Fire, Naco Police & Fire, Bisbee Police & Fire, Tombstone Police & Fire, Cochise County Sheriff Department, Pattagonia Police & Fire, the entire B Troop 4th Memorial Cav Rgt, AZ Rangers, AZ State Police Souhern Sector, US Border Patrol SouthEast Sector
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