(a)  No person, whether acting in an official capacity or as a private volunteer, who gratuitously renders emergency assistance in the nature of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or automated external defibrillation to a person in need thereof, shall be liable for civil damages for any personal injuries which result from acts or omissions by such persons rendering the emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence; provided, however, that this immunity applies only to persons who have been trained in accordance with standards promulgated by either the American heart association or the American national red cross. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence. This immunity shall also extend to persons providing approved training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of automated external defibrillation in accordance with standards promulgated by either the American heart association or the American national red cross and to physicians providing medical direction oversight for programs of automated external defibrillator use.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 9-1-34

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6

(b)  Property lessees and owners where the emergency assistance occurs as well as the owners of the actual life saving equipment shall enjoy immunity from liability.

History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 290, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 162, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 250, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 208, § 1.