VENT: Cast Member response to child falling/bleeding...

[Disney Dreams]

Everyone is assuming so many different things about the CM. For all we know the CM was trained to send people to the first aid station. And if the grandmother didn't know where it was, all she needed to do was ask. But OP stated she did know, but was still upset that they didn't walk her down there. The child got the medical attention she needed. That is what matters.

^ exactly what I was about to type.

 

[kiwitravel]

As a trained first aider I am a little worried by some of the postings here...

If the cast member wasn't trained in first aid he probably did what he was instructed to do, it just seems to me he could have been a bit better at ensuring they knew exactly where they were to go and offered to direct and help further. Can't accept that a photo pass photogragher is so essential that they can't move in an emergency situation...

As part of my training we were coached in what to do to render assistance if you don't have gloves and other protection. I would always render aid but would also be aware of avoiding blood contact.

As a volunteer Firefighter I have worked with people with a genuine blood fear, they can't "grow up" it is a phobia that can be managed in some cases but not cured.

 

[SunLillyFairy]

Just to clear a couple of things up..,

First.., I didn't think the CM should touch the child or the blood.., again, I thought they should be helpful.., which, if it happened as described, they were not very helpful. I have medical training.., and I would NOT suggest anyone touch the blood.., I would suggest, rather, that they take proper precautions, like telling the child to stay where they were and not getting blood all over the park..., and getting proper help. By 'grow up' I mean this.., blood won't crawl across the ground to 'get you' and so you shouldn't be freaked out by it. That does not mean you shouldn't be safe. Again, no one w/out proper training should administer first aid to anyone. (True phobias do exist but are very, very rare.) I think Silence wanted someone to walk Grandma over and make sure they made it ok.., or to call for help.., if you read the original post.., she didn't request that the CM should play paramedic to her kid. Doing so.., well, not only would it have been bad/risky for the CM, but not good for the child either.

Second.., No, I don't think a fire and a split lip are the same thing. However, I do think when a kid is bleeding from the mouth like that, there is no way you can tell how bad it is.., and I do think that common sense dictates that there are times when it's more important to help someone, like a child with an injury, then it is to stay at your station. I mean.., just for the two minutes (maybe) it would have taken to run and get a CM with a radio if he/she didn't have one. She said they were by the front.., the CM would have had access to other CM's close by.

Third.., I didn't mean to call the CM stupid. I meant to say that I thought the act of doing nothing was stupid. I will admit that did come across wrong. We all do stupid things sometimes, including me and my kids, that doesn't make us stupid people.., and I am sorry if it came across as calling the CM stupid. I think I also said, "they were probably just internally freaked out," because I don't believe Disney would have a policy that would say, "just shoo the injured along, let them bleed down the street, and let first aid deal with them".

Finally.., I love this board and the merry spirit in which I generally post. I was just offened that so many people seem to think it's OK to just stand by instead of rending real help. Not just in this situation, but I see it in general; a lot of people seem to grow colder toward eachother these days, and less "willing to help their fellow man," and it makes me sad. Especially to hear of that happening at the happiest place on earth, where I have always felt very safe and never doubted that myself or my family would get help if it were needed. However, I didn't mean to trully offend anyone and I plan to keep my future comments on a more positive level. Thanks for listening.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...I think Silence wanted someone to walk Grandma over and make sure they made it ok.., or to call for help..

Clearly we don't know, but... I would venture a guess that the CM at the area in front is not permitted to go all the way down to the middle of Main Street. And, as has been noted by many, what else was she to do IF she did not have any way to call for help? She gave directions to First Aid. If she had told him that she needed / wanted further assistance, perhaps the CM would have sent her to a closer location with a phone where those CMs could call for First Aid to come there.

...and I do think that common sense dictates that there are times when it's more important to help someone, like a child with an injury, then it is to stay at your station. I mean.., just for the two minutes (maybe) it would have taken to run and get a CM with a radio if he/she didn't have one. She said they were by the front.., the CM would have had access to other CM's close by.

Agreed, but... MAYBE the CM has been told not to leave that area. Also, if there were other CMs around and it were ME with an injured child, if I were not happy with the reply of the first, I would have asked another. I still don't think the CM did anything truly wrong as the situation has been described.

...I meant to say that I thought the act of doing nothing was stupid....

But the cm DID do something. Provided directions to a nearby location that could adequately provide the assistance needed.

...and it makes me sad. Especially to hear of that happening at the happiest place on earth, where I have always felt very safe and never doubted that myself or my family would get help if it were needed....

I don't think there is any reason for you not to still feel this way from this story. The injured child DID receive the help that was needed.

Could the PhotoPass CM have offered more when the OPs mother asked, "Is that all you can do for me?" Yes. To what extent, we don't know as we don't know what is available to that CM at that location. However, if I stop don't get the answer I require from someone, I ask specifically for what I want or I ask someone else. My guess is there were no less than 50 some-odd CMs that were passed on the walk to First Aid - many of whom are inside shops with phones. I am not placing blame, I am just pointing out that if there were many options for someone needing help between the front of the Park and the end of Main Street. Perhaps there weren't so many options available to a CM who is stationed solo in a specific location without a radio.

- Dreams

 

[Albort]

2 things i want to clear...

1) ive posted this twice already but as i said, its simply easier to send guest to first aid unless the injured guest is immobilized. Radio cant contract first aid directly and would be loop into a telephone styled going from CM --> their department --> first aid and back. Phones are quite annoying as well since first aid will continue ask questions and will most likely tell you to come to first aid so they would have people in case of a possibility of a serious injury fitting the description.

2) Escorts, If you see a random CMs simply ASK to be escorted, they would be glad too escort you down to first aid if you really really need it. Yes, if you request a manager/lead to help, it does take them awhile to respond, 5-10 mins varies on where they are...

 

[amyamya]

I may be wrong, but I thought that Photopass photogs were "different" CMs. By this I mean they are not exactly an outside contracted employee, but maybe have different training or not the same training as other types of CM? I thoughtI read this on another post, but like I said, I could be wrong and I doubt DL would let someone have such contact with the public without some form of emergency procedures in place.

 

[Albort]

I may be wrong, but I thought that Photopass photogs were "different" CMs. By this I mean they are not exactly an outside contracted employee, but maybe have different training or not the same training as other types of CM? I thoughtI read this on another post, but like I said, I could be wrong and I doubt DL would let someone have such contact with the public without some form of emergency procedures in place.

no, they are part of Disney, they just aren't unionized like the rest of the park. They used to be part of kodak i believe.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Poor baby. It seems to me like a lot more could have been done for this small, injured child and her frantic Grandma. Heck, we recently went to an ice skating rink and my little DD fell down repeatedly and an employee asked us numerous times if we were ok or if we needed ice. That was a local ice rink, not an enormous resort park with processes in place like DL. It's a lonnnnng way to go from the main gate down to First Aid. You would think there would be some mini-emergency kits at the turnstiles or at the kiosks near the front filled with those little pouches that turn cold when you twist them to give to people who need something "like right now", not when they can finally make it all the way down to First Aid.

I also feel that if you are not a parent yourself, it can be difficult to fathom the terror one feels when their child is hurt and bleeding. It's the worst thing ever.

Hugs to your princess, to you and to your Mom, too!

 

[pindecisive]

I wanted to put in my 2 cents.

I worked retail for years and older folks would routinely fall and cut themselves.

Not only was I not trained in any first aid, I had no gloves no bandaids at my register. I couldn't leave to show the person to the pharmacy, and the best I could do was call for my manager and wait.

I have to say that many people who have no gloves would not touch a bloody person.

While I understand wanting your child rushed into care, and yes the CM should have called or radioed for someone to help or at least given clear instructions to the first aid area, expecting someone who has no gloves and cannot leave their station to either touch or lead the way is simply maternal instinct.

I'd almost expect the people around the girl to have been more helpful and possibly lead the way. I've found in these types of situations that the other "customers" are the one's more helpful than the people who actually work there.

 

[pycees312]

First let me say im so glad it was only stitches and not something worse and glad she is okay.

I have been to disneyland 12 or more times in my life and never asked/knew/or thought about first aide and where it was located until last Sept. My Ds 5 tripped and fell and his legs were scraped and bloody. The cast members we spoke to directed us to first aide and i think that is all they can do since they are not RN's. Disney doesn't want to be held liable in case something more happens etc they don't want it to be their empoyees fault. And really i understand. So the lesson i learned from this is know your sorroundings when you travel somewhere not near home and always bring medical cards( witch we do) just in case. So from now on im asking where first aids, emergency routes etc when ever i go places and stay over night just as a precaution and i want to get my kids in the habit of doing this themselves as well. I'm a moment like this were panic may set in the more you know the better..