The First Step

I was lying on a beach chair, staring at the ocean while listening to my iPod.  The warm sun and gentile breeze felt great on my skin.   I was in my own world of joy when I was shocked back to this one by a commotion going on around me.  People were running across the beach while gesticulating to each other.  I took my headphones off to try to figure out what was happening just in time to hear a woman yell, “Get a lifeguard.  There’s a man down.”

Before I was able to join the throng, or even see the man who had drawn everyone’s attention, a child yelled back, “Never mind.  He was just taking a nap.”

Now, I’m all for people being proactive and attempting to help out another person.  If I had been in the water struggling I certainly hope people on the beach would come to my aid.  However, if I had been napping on the beach I would hate to be awakened by someone pounding on my chest.

There’s a reason why when giving first aid, whether you are attempting to assist someone who is choking or who is unconscious and may need CPR, it is important to first find out if that person actually needs help.  Asking, “Are you OK?” or shaking a sleeping person’s shoulder is always the first step in giving any kind of aid.

I guess these people skipped the first step.