I feel like more EMTs should be free to help (within their scope) while off duty without having to fear litigation, should they choose to do so.

Obviously a lot of it will be limited anyway by the fact that they don't have an ambulance with them while off duty, but it's a shame to see experience and expertise go to waste for fear of being sued or losing your career.

I just finished my first responder course as part of my continuing education as a volunteer firefighter, and the Paramedic that was our instructor doesn't carry anything off duty.

Even as a first responder, protocols set by the medical directors may limit you so much that even a layperson would be permitted to do more, as directed by a 911 operator, than I could on the job. In my AO, I cannot take a blood glucose reading for a diabetic with altered mental status, despite it being incredibly easy, essentially no risk, and something I've done countless times both on myself and helping family members. I cannot administer glucose should someone need it. I cannot use nasal airway adjuncts even with their advantages over oral airways, administer epinephrine auto injectors to those who are going into anaphylactic shock, or immobilize someone (all I can do is assist EMTs in immobilization). Most all of this stems from litigation fears.

I came across an accident where a woman hit a kid on a bike. She stopped, and it turns out she was a nurse, but would do nothing to help despite her experience. There are few worse things I can imagine than being hurt badly, looking up, and just seeing people stare at you and not willing to help, even if able. Or worse, just whipping their phones out and instead of calling 911, filming it for youtube.

Luckily I live in the city where EMS and fire are pretty close, but in the county response times can vary widely. Since all county stuff is volunteer, sometimes I hear first responder calls simply go unanswered, and people end up having to wait for EMS which may take quite a while to get there.

I always carry nitrile gloves, and usually have a kit nearby. -- if I'm wearing cargo pants, it's in a cargo pocket, and if not it's in the glove compartment of my car. It usually includes a CAT tourniquet, Israeli dressing, combat gauze, a rescue hook and HALO seals.

I would really like to see AEDs come down into the $500 price bracket. Right now they can be had for $1,000-1,200, but these things need to be cheap enough that you can realistically see them in an average home.