Legislation/powers of entry to save life

[wasted years]

Had a query from a medic friend of mine asking what powers he has to force entry to save someones life. Over to you guys...

[wasted years]

Thanks there

[GreenV8S]

So after wading through that lot, is it saying that there is a statutory defense to the charge of breaking and entering if you believe the owner had given or (if given the chance) would have given permission to break in?

[wasted years]

That's the way I read it!

[wasted years]

It's never straight forward it it?!

[GreenV8S]

Interesting that you only have to have a reasonably held belief that the owner had / would have given permission. So if it turns out afterwards the owner actually didn't want to be rescued from the burning building etc you still have a statutory defence if you rescue them, as long as it's reasonable to believe they wanted to be rescued.

I wonder where that leaves you if they explicitly tell you not to rescue them?

[skeggysteve]

Good question.

Until a few weeks ago I worked as an engineer repairing mobility scooters.
If I went to an old persons house, at their request, but could not get a response I would look through the windows, see if the front/back door was unlocked. Usually front door was unlocked and I just went in shouting HELLO !

Only once I could not get a response and as it was a second floor flat couldn't look though the windows. Ground floor occupier says don't worry he is probably pissed. I wasn't 100% happy so went to police station only to be told that the two officer on duty were busy
I went back to the flat with the intention of breaking the door down but luckly the old guy had come down stairs and opened the door. Yes he had a 'little' drink last night

If I ever looked though a window and saw a person lying on the floor I'd break in by what ever means and sod the consequences.

Could you live with yourself if you found out later that you could have saved someone?

[time2react]

There is nothing more amazing than the first time you hear a call come in over the radio " Can you attend so and so location to assist ambulance who are there breaking in to get to a female having a heart attack"
And quit seriously they were waiting outside for us to kick down the door.
Thank god it wasn't my mum.

New ledgislation required or more training I think.

I know there are members of the A S who would instantly kick the door in to save life, but as I have witnessed certianly not all of them.

I do feel for them, as they have to deal with many of the Kn*b heads on most friday and saturday nights but without any powers. a very difficult job.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Surely the Ambulance Authority will have issued 'guide' lines on this matter?

Used to be a common law power to break in to

save life,
prevent a fire,
quell a Breach of the peace,

but that's from the old days and I have yet to find the modern equivilant. Plenty of Acts all give specific powers of forceable entry to Gas, Electric, Social services, Police etc.

dvd

[7db]

It's amazing that there aren't more people breaking in every moment of every day...

A friend of my father's recently fell in the garden and called out for help. Elderly, injured and not strong he was unable to get up. Noone heard. Noone came.

The following morning he awoke in the garden and called for help again. Fortunately someone heard and was able to break in and recover him.

New doors are cheap.

[davidra]

perhaps regard as 'implied consent' ie most people would want you to break in to save a life, as with treatment of unconscious people?