Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation Policy

In today’s paper (May 23) I read something which disturbs me a lot. In the article regarding the unfortunate young man who went over a cliff in Topanga Canyon and was subsequently treated by the County Fire Department where mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was performed, the department is “considering a policy that would require rescuers to carry equipment that would allow them to revive people without resorting to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” This is fine for the department, BUT . . . what about those of us who possess CPR cards, who took the training where mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was an integral part of the program? We have no way of being selective, except our own senses. Unless some policy is formulated, much of the trained public will be unwilling (to say the least) to jump in and help a victim not knowing what the consequences might be. I know I shall be. Has the County Fire Department an answer?

GUY MILLER

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