::Wednesday, December 17, 2003::
PULLING THE PLUG
..Q&A with George Robinson of the New York Times regarding subway trains:
Q: I'm baffled by the new posters in the subway explaining what to do in emergencies that discourage use of the emergency cord. When is it O.K. to pull the cord?
A: Good question and, despite what some might think, a serious one.
This is the answer, from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's own Web page: "Use the emergency cord only to prevent an accident or injury. For example, if someone gets caught between closing subway car doors and is being dragged, pull the cord.
"But if your train is between stations and someone aboard becomes ill, do not pull the emergency cord. The train will stop, preventing medical professionals from reaching the sick passenger. A sick person is better off if the train goes to the nearest station where police and medical services will be waiting or can be quickly summoned, without interruption."
Q: I'm baffled by the new posters in the subway explaining what to do in emergencies that discourage use of the emergency cord. When is it O.K. to pull the cord?
A: Good question and, despite what some might think, a serious one.
This is the answer, from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's own Web page: "Use the emergency cord only to prevent an accident or injury. For example, if someone gets caught between closing subway car doors and is being dragged, pull the cord.
"But if your train is between stations and someone aboard becomes ill, do not pull the emergency cord. The train will stop, preventing medical professionals from reaching the sick passenger. A sick person is better off if the train goes to the nearest station where police and medical services will be waiting or can be quickly summoned, without interruption."
