Today I was walking back from a meeting in Tribeca when passing Canal on W. Broadway I spot a guy passed out hanging off the curb, behind a pretzel street vendor. The guy had a cart and was wearing unwashed clothes so I assumed he was homeless. Standing over him was a traffic cop, a passerby and the vendor, all seemed to be arguing or trying to decide what to do.
I made the assumption he wasn’t dieing (because no one was working on him) and I also assumed that the cop had either called some assistance or was at least taking control of the situation. However, I was put off by the situation because the vendor was arguing with the cop to get the guy moved, saying it was killing his business and the cop was not willing to do anything until someone “more qualified” had arrived. The passerby seemed to be there just for curiosity sake and the cop had no interest in the person laying on the ground.
I had mixed feelings in that, I wondered if there was something more that could be done, however, seeing that a person of public moral authority was involved (a traffic cop) I assumed this situation would be resolved with the man’s health and safety of utmost priority. I walked away not feeling so certain.
Several weeks ago, I was passing Rue 57 in MidTown and about a quart of a block up, I witnessed a older gentleman walking towards me. Then with no warning, grab his chest and fall limp to the ground. Several people around him saw this and immediately rushed to roll him over and check if he was breathing, a pulse and if he was ok. As I speed up my walk closer these same people were readily available to go to this persons need, without knowing him checking his safety and calling for assistance (9-1-1).
Thinking this through, what would you do if you came across a guy passed out on the street. I think the initial (or more careful) reaction is to assess their own safety first before getting involved. For instance, is the guy passed out in a dark alley way or in plane view of others, does he look menacing, dirty, homeless, or is he dressed as a businessman. Also would you be in danger of the same result (something falling from a building, or this person had fallen on something). Some however, feel the urge to save their fellow man before thinking if they themselves would be at risk.
In the case of the man in midtown, he was older, white and seemingly more affluent. Those close by were not threatened by his appearance and it seemed apparent he was suffering from a heart attack or some other affliction that required an ambulance. In the case of the homeless man, he was also older, black and not affluent. Additionally his symptoms of ailment were not immediately known (passers by might assume he was passed out from drugs, alcohol or just sleeping).
In any event, I would go to the aid of a fellow person and have done this in the past. When I was a kid, I saved another kid from drowning at camp. The event itself was a little traumatic and I have a hard time remembering all the details. Ever since, I’ve made sure I’m CPR certified. If you’re not, it’s a great skill to have just in case to save a friend, family member or other person in need.
How-to-steps for CPR
Better yet, find a class near you
I was not here in New York during that now infamous day. Having lived, shopped, conversed, and shared public frustration with the lack of physical resolve at the WTC site with many of whom have, I feel a connection with the event that I wouldn’t have still being in California. It’s eight years after that tragic incident and this year I have the time off to come down and experience the memorial live.
