@robryk @freemo I should have been a bit clearer. In this specific context (it might be different in other states) we can involuntarily transport someone who has explicitly expressed suicidal thoughts or acts.
It’s not the same case as “I think they’ve got a fatal condition but they don’t want to go to the hospital” though I guess it’s arguably a legal rather than moral distinction. In the EMT framework it’s just presumed that if you want to actively end your life that you’re not mentally competent.
@freemo I should clarify a bit too.
When I’m out as an EMT it’s a relatively bright line. If they’re competent (alert and oriented, not a threat to themselves or others, over 18) they get to refuse medical attention. We might try to convince them but at the end of the day they get to choose.
There are calls where that feels crappy but at least we have a decision making framework to fall back on.