and were lucky enough that a bystander called 911, performed the Heimlich maneuver, and started artificial respiration until you spontaneously recovered your ability to breathe. You are just coming 'round when the EMTs arrive.
What happens next?
Pretty much what you’d expect: they’ll check you out, and depending on your condition, may or may not want to take you to the hospital, which you can refuse, should you wish. In some areas, you may be billed for EMT services.
So what if you feel you’re OK, and refuse to be checked out – emphatically decline any medical attention from the EMTs? Will they still try to bill you for the “service call?” If you refuse to pay on the grounds that you didn’t call them and didn’t need them, do they just eat it? Do they try to bill the bystander who actually did summon them?
Okay, that wasn’t really what I was shooting for - more the medical procedures to check to make sure someone who’s been choking is okay.
As for EMT runs, I’ve learned from personal experience that you are only charged if they transport you to the hospital.
…I’m goin’ to Disney World!
sorry
Ok, if you aren’t yet fully alert, which if you lost consciousness and actually required rescue breathing, you probably wouldn’t be, they would make a face and wipe some of the vomit* off your face, maybe check your airway to be sure there was nothing more obstructing it. they’d listen to your lungs, take your blood pressure and pulse. Do a quick neuro assessment (What day is it? where are you? shine a light in your eyes, maybe ask you to squeeze a hand)
If by then you were alert and frisky, in some venues, they’d ask if you wanted to go to the hospital. Other places might just load you up on the big, shiny, loud truck. Somebody would be writing everything down.
If, in fact, it was nothing but a quick paniced can’t breathe, and gut crunch, they might not even do that much.
*Most people will vomit if the Heimlich maneuver is done correctly.
Yep. You can refuse service. Thus, if some day I actually perform the Heimlich meneuver on you (and I actually did once on someone years ago when I worked in a restaurant), and you walk away there is no bill. Why should she have wanted to be rushed to the hospital when I was patting her on the shoulder and saying “relax”? She literally walked out the door, and drove away.
Cervaise, you twit! I was coming here JUST to say that!!
That depends on the jurisdiction, and the hospital/EMT service policy. Many do charge, even if you refuse their services. That’s what happened to my Mother when she fainted in church.