If you see an agent or client not acting right—they’re slurring their speech, etc.—don’t blow it off. Ask them questions and if they’re not answering them correctly, it’s better to call 911 to be sure.
Bryan Cruze
What About My Liability?
Good Samaritan laws will generally protect you if you helped someone in a responsible way. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code says, “a person who in good faith administers emergency care is not liable in civil damages for an act performed during the emergency unless the act is willfully or wantonly negligent.”
“If someone’s having a heart attack and you’re calling 911 and doing chest compressions until help arrives, you’re not responsible for anything that happens to that person,” Cruze says. If you take action, though, you may just save a life.
Training and Resources Near You
AED resources, products, and training, aed.com
American Heart Association training, cpr.heart.org
American Red Cross how to make a first aid kit, redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/anatomy-of-a-first-aid-kit.html
American Red Cross training, redcross.org/local/texas/take-a-class/first-aid
Stop the Bleed, stopthebleed.org/training/
Medical emergencies can happen at any time—even while you are doing your job as a real estate professional. A visitor at an open house could suddenly feel ill or a client might get injured during a showing.
It may take minutes for first responders to reach you. Your help can make a big difference—or even save a life.
Bryan Cruze worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for 16 years before becoming an agent with Keller Williams Flower Mound. He offers the following advice so agents can be prepared when a medical emergency happens.
Before an Emergency
Get Training. Introductory first aid courses are a great idea for agents, Cruze says. Your local fire department or the American Heart Association may offer safety courses.
“I would encourage people to take the time to learn CPR,” he adds. According to the American Heart Association, CPR performed immediately can double or triple the chance of survival for someone experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Cruze notes that modern CPR techniques don’t require mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, which makes many people uncomfortable. “It’s about getting blood to the brain. If the heart can’t do it, your hands can do it.”
Training also can help you identify emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.
Have a First Aid Kit Handy. Cruze says you can buy a good kit for around $20-$30 or make your own. The American Red Cross has information on its website about how to assemble one. Controlling bleeding is one of the likely needs in many emergencies, so create your kit with that in mind. Keep a kit in your car when you are in the field and know where your office’s kit is stored.
Check Your Office Policies. Cruze suggests that brokerages have policies and procedures on file for how to handle emergencies. He also recommends having an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the office. Your brokerage may be able to apply for a grant to offset the cost. There are government programs and private civic groups that offer financial assistance.
During an Emergency
Pay Attention. By knowing what to look for, you can stay alert and quickly identify potential medical problems. “If you see an agent or client not acting right—they’re slurring their speech, etc.—don’t blow it off. Ask them questions and if they’re not answering them correctly, it’s better to call 911 to be sure. If they aren’t alright, damage is being done every second you wait.”
Don’t Panic. “Stay calm. Call 911 and get help on its way.” Know your location and how to describe it: addresses, local landmarks, even what you see around you. This is especially important if you are showing a farm & ranch property and are not close to larger roads.
Don’t Move the Person You’re Trying to Help. “If someone falls, don’t try to move them around,” he says. “If they fell, they may have injured their spine, and if you move them, you might be doing more damage than good.” Don’t try to free anyone from a car wreck.
Start Assigning Tasks. “For the people around who aren’t helping, give them a job,” Cruze says. “If you know CPR, ask someone else to call 911, so you can focus on CPR. Give the sick or injured person some space; ask any bystanders to stand back or help out. Have someone else get the first aid kit or a blanket. People want to help but they don’t know what to do.”