That is so sad, RVM. But am glad I don’t lock my car doors when I drive. Hadn’t thought about it til now.
May he be with the Lord now and may the Lord be with you in your time of grief, RVM.
I’ve always locked my car, I think it’s done automatically.
OOh. Maybe there is a reason not to get a new car. Thats really dangerous if it locks automatically!
I have to check the front but I think it’s locked in the back automatically.
I like having doors locked when I’m in the car–I think the odds of bein accosted are greater than the odds of passing out in a car and needing 911. We’ve already been accosted once while in a car and never passed out.
HImom, yes there are a lot of bumps near the freeway exits especially the ones near LA.
My doors automatically lock once you begin moving forward.
Quite a few new cars have this feature. It can be reprogrammed by the dealer, as I understand. However, I’m not sure the outcome would have been different with unlocked doors. Not many bystanders are usually willing to administer CPR either because they have no training or are afraid of any possible liability down the road. Sadly, failure to act is not an actionable cause unless the one who did not act had a specific duty to help.
So sorry, Rockvillemom. It is very heartbreaking to know that your friend’s chances could have been more favorable…
It’s not just if you pass out in your car, but are otherwise unable to get out on your own that having open doors helps. You might be in an accident and hit your head or have your arm pinned or something. My Dad, who was a volunteer firefighter, said it takes about 11 minutes for emergency people to get into a locked car. Maybe that’s if they don’t break the glass.
I disabled the automatic door lock on my car (there were instructions in the owner’s manual) and I lock the doors if I feel the need.
I just feel better in a locked car. I guess we’re all different.
Generally there is a way to disable the auto-locks in your vehicle if that is your preference. You can look in the owners manual to find out how.
RVM, I am so sorry for your loss.
Have been out of town and am just catching up. My deepest condolences, RVM. I am so sorry for your loss and wish peace, healing and strength to all.
Thank you.
I also keep thinking that if he had the identical heart attack at the grocery store, or at work - that a defibrillator and/or someone willing to start immediate CPR might have been available. It’s a pointless line of thought. Just where I am today.
So sorry…
Im sorry, Rockvillemom.
My experience as life goes on, that each death brings up memories of past losses, until I feel almost catatonic at times.
But it also makes each moment more important.
I hope for healing for you and his family and friends.
My car is a 2002 and locks automatically, my van was a 1992, & it locked automatically too.
Made me feel slightly safer.
Kids couldnt get out, and random people who might approach your car cant get in as easily.
Ever since a man tried to get in my grandfathers car downtown, after we were dropping off my grandmother, its been something Im aware of.
I carry something to cut seatbelts & break car windows on my keychain.
http://www.autogeek.net/rekeesto.html
In case I am on the viaduct when the Big One hits.
It also comes in handy to open bags of coffee beans at the grocery store, so I can use their grinder.
He died a month ago today. And what I have found is that life goes on and all of those good intentions to seek change and meaning slip away.
I honestly thought this experience would make a huge difference in my life. I am ashamed to say it has not. Oh, I remember him every day and feel sad, but concrete changes? Not so much. Why is that?
Making change means making a choice EVERY DAY. Changing a habit means doing the new activity or hoped for habit every day for several weeks before it becomes a new habit. It’s much easier to feel sad than to actively take steps to change our lives significantly, hence our obesity epidemic worldwide.
You don’t have to be obese to have heart attack. My husband’s coworker was not even fat. He was skinny but could barely walk for some reasons. He moved very slowly.
RVM, you mentioned:
" I also keep thinking that if he had the identical heart attack at the grocery store, or at work - that a defibrillator and/or someone willing to start immediate CPR might have been available. It’s a pointless line of thought. Just where I am today. "
Here is a sad case where the AED did not help, and likely made the outcome more tragic:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/emt_dies_after_trying_to_save_another_womans_life.html
In that case, the EMT asked to go home but because the woman had died, they wanted to keep her on site in case there were any questions. That delay likely did result in her eventual demise 
We do the best we can. Sometimes that is not enough. But we can keep trying.