Semper Fortis

As a Retired Navy Hospital Corpsman who also has 37+ years of prehospital experience as a licensed EMT-PARAMEDIC and an Instructor, at the time of this episode, any bystander is covered by the Good Samaritan law, as long as they do not attempt an "invasive procedure". When the Corpsman performed an emergency tracheotomy, she crossed the line of Good Samaritan. This procedure is taught to Hospital Corpsman to be used in the field, and to Advanced EMT''s, such as NREMT-Intermediate or Paramedics. Upon discharge from the Navy, if you do not have these civilian certifications, you are held responsible for your actions. Rendering basic first aid, performing CPR, rescue breathing, etc. Is all that is covered under the Good Samaritan law. This was a good example of getting the certification before getting out of the service is important.

I assume that if she had gone to trial there would have been a jury. No mention was made about the extreme difficulty of getting a guilty verdict given all the favourable testimony on her behalf.

At the time of the shooting of this episode, the state of Virginia did NOT have the Good Samaritan statute in place. It didn't become law until 2015.

To add to the other comments, there are states in which, if you have the ability, you must render assistance. These laws were passed when news reporters stood by as Buddhist monks immolated themselves. The cameras rolled even though many of the news camera teams had fire extinguishers at the ready, ostensibly to protect the news crew. Once the law was passed, the suicides stopped.

Further, there is a painful irony in the comments of the police sergeant that "you can't change the law". When I was a child in Virginia, it would have been unthinkable for an African American to be a policeman, let alone a sergeant. The laws limiting such jobs to White people were changed. Laws are changed regularly. Sometimes by legislatures, sometimes by courts. Sorry, Sarge, but you were wrong, painfully so.

I am disappointed every time that I watch this episode. You will NOT be arrested in Virginia for rending aid to accident victims; you are protected by the Good Samaritan Law. The law has been in effect since the 1970's, at least (unlike the other reviewer who said differently). I took an EMT class in Virginia, and knew people with EMS and the fire department, and at that time they all were protected by the Good Samaritan Law. The good part of this episode is informing the viewing public that Navy medics are not equal to medics in the Army and Air Force, in that they are not licensed. Please do not hesitate to stop and assist an injured person when you can. Your assistance will be much appreciated.