body: My family is dragging me along to a politician's ball. I'm not a very big fan of this particular group of attendees, to put it mildly, and have recently been day-dreaming of one choking while I raid the buffet table. I would not feel a single pang if they ate the dust. But would I be liable to a civil or criminal charge if I refused to give medical aid in this situation, given my occupation as a surgeon?
  
  
  And if so, is there any way I can escape this? Perhaps by taking a stiff belt of scotch the moment I see trouble?
  
  
  
title: Am I required to render medical aid when off-duty if I am a doctor?