Ron,
We sometimes loaded those who obviously won't make it and allowed the Emergency Rm Doc to pronounce them dead. It saved a lot of red tape with coroners office and having to stay at the scene until a corner or rep arrived at the scene. It also was better PR for the dept. It made us look like we had made an effort (which was true) but if we had just left them there and called a coroner if wouldn't have looked good. Plus if we kept trying, just maybe, they might make it. We'd do CPR all the way to the hospital, then the emergency room would go through their routine and sometimes miracles did happen and someone we didn't think was going to make, did make it.
Ron, my main concern with your remarks is: you and I have the experience to make the judgment calls about when to rush to the hospital and when to call the medics, most people don't have that experience or background. Some people might just throw people in the back of a vehicle and take off thinking they are doing best for the patient when in reality, depending upon the injury, they may be doing more harm.
Keith
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