Would you give a homeless person CPR if they were dying? Be honest.
By keeegan_ess
@keeegan_ess (512)
United States
November 11, 2010 6:01pm CST
I know that I definitely wouldn't. I know I sound so cruel and disgusting right now, but that's just how I am. I can't imagine putting my lips to a dirty stranger's face. I really wouldn't want to do it. And it's a life or death situation. So I guess this is a pretty hard decision. I probably wouldn't do it, but I'd call an ambulance or a police officer really fast so they can be the ones to help. So guys, what would you do?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@wiggles18 (2506)
• Canada
12 Nov 10
Actually, I would prefer having to give cpr to a stranger than someone I know, especially a blood relative. But, I still wouldn't give cpr to either, just wouldn't want to do it ;S
@wiggles18 (2506)
• Canada
12 Nov 10
I could do the whole chest pumping portion, and if there was some sort of membrane that covered the mouth, etc; it would be no problem, but mouth to mouth is majorly taboo for me.
@keeegan_ess (512)
• United States
12 Nov 10
Well, I guess I could do the chest pumping too. I'd probably call someone over. But then they would look at me and ask me why I had not done it myself. I just can't stand putting my lips on a stranger's mouth.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Nov 10
In an emergency you should improvise. For instance, you could take off your shirt, or take one arm out, and use the sleeve to cover the other person's lips so that there was no direct contact. Blood can be extremely more dangerous to you than someone's lips.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Nov 10
I could not stand by doing nothing while another person's life hangs in the balance so, yes, I would perform CPR on a homeless person or on anyone who needed it. At the end of the day, I have to live with myself.
@keeegan_ess (512)
• United States
12 Nov 10
That's a really good answer. I'm so glad there's people like you on this Earth that see the value of life. Even in the hands of a homeless person! I fail to do this and I find that sad. I should help whoever's in need even if that's their status. I guess when it comes down to it, it's nature that caused me to be this way. Or maybe my mild OCD gets to me to not touch a dirty stranger.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
14 Nov 10
I have to say that I honestly don't know how I'd react. I would like to think that I wouldn't think about it and just do what needed to be done to save the person's life. I don't think the fact that they were homeless or anything would be the thing that would hold me back but more the panic factor. I deal with people all the time and homeless people as well. I get where you are coming from though. Until I'm faced with that situation, I couldn't tell you with all honesty how I'd react and I'm pretty sure no one could. I could only tell you how I'd hope I'd react and how I think I'd react but I really don't know. I can tell you that I would be ashamed of myself if I did not react by doing without thinking all I could do to save the person's life in front of me. I can't tell you that I agree with you on what you'd do in this situation because I don't. At the same time I can't in all honesty tell you that ou are wrong because I've never been in that situation and don't know how I'd react.
@BambooPanda13 (867)
• United States
12 Nov 10
I don't think I would be able to put my mouth directly on anyone's mouth that I don't know. You could get a mouth disease or end up with some type of meningitis. I would make sure I am the person pumping the heart and quickly place the duty of mouth-breathing on someone else. I'd hate to be looking uncaring by not breathing into their mouth, but you really can get a disease or something from someone else's mouth, I mean, you don't know anything about the person or their health, whether they are homeless or not. I've seen some non-homeless people with VERY gross teeth and horrible breath.
