Large, controlled clinical trials are needed to determine the value of parenteral drug therapy
during resuscitation [1]. To accomplish this goal will require the enrollment of patients who
cannot give informed consent [2]. In other contexts in which very ill patients are considered
for enrollment in a clinical trial, consent is usually obtained from the patient's next-of-kin. This
is not feasible in resuscitation research simply because there is inadequate time to place a
phone call or even to engage a family member who happens to be present to apprise them …