Introduction
Paramedics and medics are often confronted with the challenge of making decisions. The most daunting task is when the decision made means sacrificing a life. It takes a series of actions in an attempt to strike a balance between the cause and effect relationship coupled with the probability of survival of the individuals whose lives hang on the same balance. In this particular case, we are presented to a situation of life and death involving a team and its leader trapped in a rather natural orchestrated phenomenon. The scouts’ very survival is virtually dependent on their masters’ predicament. Having objectively considered the available options objectively, it appears that in order to have a break-through effort in saving some scouts their master may be lost.
In the line of duty
As in the case of a paramedic in the call of duty, results are the first thing that comes to mind. The fact that the very existence of the scouts is bound by their master who is trapped at the cave’s opening clearly means that how time elapses is an important function of the probability of ending up with real survivors. Fortunately, the scoutmaster’s head, shoulders and the upper torso is protruding outside the narrow opening. It means that his survival is equally a fifty-fifty chance since the critical organs which are contained in the torso are found in the upper segment of the body. This includes the heart, lungs, liver and the rib cage which covers this part from the exterior is out already. In this decision-making reflex action, a number of precautions come in handy like cautioning the scoutmaster from his possible detriment by prior bandaging the visible and accessible areas before instantly embarking on the extricating the rest of the crew (Simmers,2008 p.183)
In the efforts to extricate the master, the possibility of having the process safe is also dependent on the strength of his muscles such as muscles of the head, abdomen, limbs and neck functioning in conjunction with his bones like cranium and the vertebral column. After successfully extricating him out of the way, his ultimate survival in the end will depend on fate since the minor dresses of his injuries may not be able to protect him against any deterioration as available time and resources is spent on saving the remnants of the scouts who are a little far from physical harm. In essence, after successfully having the narrow opening passable, the cave is assured of oxygen supply that can further sustain the scouts inside (Fremgen, 2006, p.64)
Consequence oriented reasoning
The decision here is to have the scouts saved at the cost of their master. While operating in the call of duty, the justification here is that inadequate facilities to conveniently handle the physical harms proliferated by the extrication exercise on the master is rather too involving and risky. In the end it may be all in vain. While the same presence should count on the lives of some survivors, the independent survival of the scouts with my aid is encouraging to the processes of resuscitating their master in case of deteriorating conditions. Furthermore the streams of rivulets draining into the cave are certain to flood the cave completely thus drowning the scouts who will still be trapped completely. This is prone to hinder the processes of salvaging their corpses from the scene and postmortem. To avoid such difficulties completely, by opinion of consequence, it is justifiable to go on with the process of having the scouts out of the cavern in total disregard to their master. Besides it is literally open in there and the available time can equally be spent on diverting the channel in front of the cave to lead the water a different direction (Tankersley, 2007, p.304)
Virtue-Ethics justification
The fact that all the available options compete for the attention of limited time in relation to the activities that must commence and proceed toward counting on some survivors is an important function of the ongoing process and the decision in general. It is in this view that keeping the master’s case pending for a while may mean less harm to the initial state that culminated to this emergency situation. In such times the patient is unable to consent for any eventualities, a situation that leaves him at my mercy. Based on virtues-ethics reasoning, the precautionary measures taken to safeguard the victim of this circumstance; the scoutmaster, may serve as an act of compassion. However, it is considered a vice to contribute to his pain and agony even by reason of default. The virtues here then lies on the sympathy shown to those whom it is relatively due and can serve adequately-the scouts (Corder, 1997, p.26)
Conclusion
As a matter of ethics it is deemed appropriate to have a more affected patient to have specialized attention from a doctor rather than a paramedic. Applying these differential standards to healthcare decisions usually means that patients have to be overbearing in critical conditions because the decisions on “who is right ” may entirely be a function of probability of ones’ survival over time.
Reference List
Corder, S. Pluekhahn, V., & Breen, K. (1997). Ethics Law and Medical Practice
St.Leonards NSW, Australia: Allen & Inwin. Pp.26-31, 2010. Web.
Fremgen, B. (2006). Medical law and ethics. (3rd Ed.). Upper Saddle River , NJ :
Pearson Prentice Hall. pp. 64-71. 2010. Web.
Simmers, L., Simmer-Kobelak, S., & Simmers-Nartker, K. (2008). Diversified health Occupations. New York: Cengage Learning. pp. 183-186. 2010. Web.
Tankersley, C. & McCall, R. (2007) Phlebotomy Essentials (4ed). West Carnaden Street, Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 303, 304. Pp. 387-392.2010. Web.