This has more to do with Good Samaritan laws than CPR certification. In every state there is some sort of protection from lawsuits for any person providing emergency medical care to a victim of a medical emergency, as long as the rescuer doesn't expect to get paid for the care.
In 49 states, the decision to help is entirely up to the would-be rescuer. He or she can choose to help the victim or not, and nothing will happen. Of course, rescuers who are part of an organized ambulance agency, fire department, law enforcement organization or rescue squad have what is known as a duty to act and are usually bound to provide help.
Right about now, you've probably noticed that I said 49 states and you're wondering about Vermont -- well, you're wondering about the 50th state, which happens to be Vermont.
Vermont's Good Samaritan law does require rescuers to help in the case of an emergency. They aren't kidding around; Vermont's residents aren't counting on the charity of the human race (or at least not the charity of fellow Vermonters). It sounds to me like you ought to be certified in CPR in Vermont, because trained or not, you're duty-bound to help out -- or face a $100 fine.
