Just Finished Reading Cast Member Confidential

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I am freaked out. I have anxiety around medical issues due to family history. One of the things I've loved about Disney World is that I feel safe there. I've always believed that if I choked on my food or had a sudden allergic reaction that someone there would help me. After reading Cast Member Confidential I'm afraid they would just let me die and tell the kids I'm napping so they don't "ruin the magic." Yes, I know how dramatic and crazy I sound but that's part of anxiety. Cast members, are you really not allowed to help someone? Please tell me Im overreacting.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I haven't read that book, but still I would take it with a grain of salt. I don't know about CMs, but I bet there are plenty of guests who have had CPR/first aid training and would jump in to help. I've had to have that training as a preschool teacher so I'm thinking there must be plenty of others too.

If you are chocking and give the sign up at your neck that you are chocking and no one does anything, do what you can for yourself to push the air up and out, like over the back of chair. If you are allergic, make sure you have your epi pen with you at all times.

Whenever I have fears, I deal with them by learning as much as I can about how and what to do.

 

[Sammie]

I am freaked out. I have anxiety around medical issues due to family history. One of the things I've loved about Disney World is that I feel safe there. I've always believed that if I choked on my food or had a sudden allergic reaction that someone there would help me. After reading Cast Member Confidential I'm afraid they would just let me die and tell the kids I'm napping so they don't "ruin the magic." Yes, I know how dramatic and crazy I sound but that's part of anxiety. Cast members, are you really not allowed to help someone? Please tell me Im overreacting.

The thing to remember you are no more safe or less safe at Disney World than in any public place.

 

[DisneyKevin]

The thing to remember you are no more safe or less safe at Disney World than in any public place.

I'm not sure I agree with this.

I'd rather be on Main Street at 11:00pm by myself then downtown Newark.

If you are from Newark....please don't write to me. I'm only making a point.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I am freaked out. I have anxiety around medical issues due to family history. One of the things I've loved about Disney World is that I feel safe there. I've always believed that if I choked on my food or had a sudden allergic reaction that someone there would help me. After reading Cast Member Confidential I'm afraid they would just let me die and tell the kids I'm napping so they don't "ruin the magic." Yes, I know how dramatic and crazy I sound but that's part of anxiety. Cast members, are you really not allowed to help someone? Please tell me Im overreacting.

As you will probably not be in the Magic Kingdom alone with just Cast Members....I'd stop worrying.

While I'm fairly certain that the majority of Cast Members are not medically trained....there will be a vast number of people around with cell phones.

Odds are that one of them will take pity on you and dial 911.

Also.....this book has been discussed previously on these boards and the collective knowledge seems to be that this book might be light on facts and heavy on fiction.

As suggested.....I'd take this tome with a huge grain of salt.

 

[Maddykins06]

Agree with other posters.

#1 I feel 100% safer in Disney at night than in West Philly (where I work) or nearby Camden, NJ (but I'm not stupid either when I am alone @ night in Disney)

#2 As an example for choking or life threatening emergencies. My DH is a firefighter/EMT & I am a Professional Rescuer instructor so we would help you.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Haven't read the book, but I wouldn't put to much thought into a former cast member's book dishing "secrets", if that is what this book is. Disgruntled is the first thought that comes to mind when I see stuff like this.

While there may be a slight bit of truth to a cast member not being able to help you, I honestly don't think they would just stand by and let someone choke to death. Years ago on my DD9's first trip (at 18 months) we had a accident and she split her lip open and it was bleeding really bad and she was just screaming. While the cast memeber didn't help like some people may have wanted him to, he did show extreme concern. He helped us out of the theater, got us settled in an area to sit and wait for the EMT's that he called for. He did get us some paper towel type things to use for the blood, but other than that he didn't do anything. But, honestly there wasn't anything he could really do since he is not trained in medical assistance. I didn't expect anything other than what he did.

I think you need to go with the expectation that you are responsible for trying to keep yourself and your family safe. However, I'm positive there will be assistence is you need it, either by a cast member or another guest.

 

[dmwang9]

While there may be a slight bit of truth to a cast member not being able to help you, I honestly don't think they would just stand by and let someone choke to death. Years ago on my DD9's first trip (at 18 months) we had a accident and she split her lip open and it was bleeding really bad and she was just screaming. While the cast memeber didn't help like some people may have wanted him to, he did show extreme concern. He helped us out of the theater, got us settled in an area to sit and wait for the EMT's that he called for. He did get us some paper towel type things to use for the blood, but other than that he didn't do anything. But, honestly there wasn't anything he could really do since he is not trained in medical assistance. I didn't expect anything other than what he did.

In the litigious society in which we live, it wouldn't surprise me if Disney has specifically instructed CM's to not provide explicit medical care to guests simply to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit.

 

[PeterPan09]

In the litigious society in which we live, it wouldn't surprise me if Disney has specifically instructed CM's to not provide explicit medical care to guests simply to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit.

This. Unless a CM has had training, like lifeguards for instance-they are not to touch a guest. It's for the guest's safety as well, because a well meaning CM could do something trying to assist that ends up making matters worse.

Safety is taken very seriously by Disney. I've read the book in question and while there were some accuracies in it, the author was pretty fast and loose with reality.

This is a good time to say this as well, though. Most of the instances where a CM has to ask a guest to either do or not do something involve safety. So, if a CM asks you not to stand in a particular location, or to behave in a certain way there is most likely a safety issue behind it even if it's not obvious to you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is drilled into Cast Members that the highest priority is Guest Safety. Our personal safety is in second place.

 

[Cherinva]

I wouldn't put too much stock in a book like that....I believe that a good part of it is fiction.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Thanks everyone. I figured I was overreacting. And I know not all castmembers are trained in CPR and first aid, I like to think that if I was in trouble and someone did know how to help then they would.

This is why I love the disboards. You guys are the best!

 

[BriarRosie]

In the litigious society in which we live, it wouldn't surprise me if Disney has specifically instructed CM's to not provide explicit medical care to guests simply to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit.

Only if the cast member had no CPR/First Aid training. If the cast member has been certified, there's no reason not to assist. I think Florida has a Good Samaritan Act law on the books. I know my state does.

 

[wishspirit]

Thanks everyone. I figured I was overreacting. And I know not all castmembers are trained in CPR and first aid, I like to think that if I was in trouble and someone did know how to help then they would.

This is why I love the disboards. You guys are the best!

I'd just be surprised in a busy theme park that there wouldn't be at least one person around who knows how to do an abdominal thrust or CPR. I know I do! My work made me train in basic first aid.

 

[babyrich]

There is some danger to the CM in helping... sometime. I worked at a venue and we were told to call the EMT if there was a medical emergency. We were not supposed to "touch" the person; but to help by calling aid. One of the employees did not listen and picked up a man who was had fallen and was bleeding very, very badly from the head. He picked him up and walked him over to first aid. Both were covered in blood and he found out the victim was HIV positive. The employee had no open cuts but was advised to go for HIV testing just in case. The victim apolgized over and over but was so out of it he didnt think to tell the employee beforehand.

If I saw someone choking I would heimlich them, I saved my sister from choking twice. She has since learned to take smaller bites.

 

[SebLop1977]

I'm not sure I agree with this.

I'd rather be on Main Street at 11:00pm by myself then downtown Newark.

If you are from Newark....please don't write to me. I'm only making a point.

I agree. Only been there once, but I agree due to that one day experience of walking around the downtown area in the middle of the day. And please don't write me either.

Personally I don't think there would be anything to worry about if there is/was any emergency.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It is drilled into Cast Members that the highest priority is Guest Safety. Our personal safety is in second place.

OP, if I were you, I would take the word of Chesire Figment before any book.

 

[daraddg]

I am freaked out. I have anxiety around medical issues due to family history. One of the things I've loved about Disney World is that I feel safe there. I've always believed that if I choked on my food or had a sudden allergic reaction that someone there would help me. After reading Cast Member Confidential I'm afraid they would just let me die and tell the kids I'm napping so they don't "ruin the magic." Yes, I know how dramatic and crazy I sound but that's part of anxiety. Cast members, are you really not allowed to help someone? Please tell me Im overreacting.

Considering how many make a wish kids go there everyday someone around there must know what to do...relax if it isnt a CM it will be a guest

 

[Sammie]

I am sure if there was emergency the OP would find plenty of help. My comment about being safe was not about external forces, but the fact she could just as likely have an allergic reaction at home, the mall, the grocery store as she would at Disney World.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Sammie, I know an allergic reaction could happen anywhere. I keep my epi pen, benedryl, and medic alert tag with me at all times. ;-). Better to be overprepared and not need it than underprepared!