Does using the Heal Skill in combat provoke AOO?

[Riggamortis]

The situation was as follows and we are not sure the exact rules. A character was hit with an attack the gave them the bleed condition. The character behind him uses a heal check as their standard action to stop the bleeding per the rules to the bleed condition. Both characters were being threatened by bad guys. Does using the heal skill as a standard action in combat while threatened provoke an Attack of Opportunity on the character doing the Heal check?

We were not able to find a definitive answer and the best thing we found was referencing using a skill in combat usually provokes but no follow up as to what those skills are. In case it matters it was a PFS game so no home rule stuff please. We are looking for exact rulings with reference to the rule.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Table: Actions in Combat includes the line

Actions in Combat wrote:

Stabilize a dying friend (see Heal skill)... Yes [provokes AoO]

So, yes.

Hm, rereading I see that's not 100% what you asked for. I can't see countering a bleed condition being less provocative than stabilizing the dying, but I can't quote anything to that effect. Make of it what you will.

[Java Man]

The closest I can find is the table of example actions in the Combat chapter of the CRB lists stabilizing an ally as provoking, no mention of other uses of the skill.

[gravalpea]

This is interesting. I do not see anything in the heal skill entry or skill entry saying it does/does not provoke, yet in the ultimate combat entry for merciful healer it has an ability that states a merciful healer does not provoke when using the heal skill to stabilize another creature or to cast healing spells.

Edit: Fuzzy-Wuzzy for the save.

[Diachronos]

I just checked the Heal skill. It lists both stabilizing a dying character and stopping a bleed effect under "Provide First Aid", so it looks like it provokes.

[Vatras]

Trying to save someone with the skill means you are letting your guard down. Imagine trying to get someones respiration going or tying up his leg to stop bleeding out, with the enemy standing next to you, weapon at the ready. You need both of your hands elsewhere and have no way to dodge or defend yourself.

Anyway...the easy way to get rid of bleeding is to use something that grants even a single point of magical healing, as that will stop bleeding automatically.

[Azothath]

Riggamortis wrote:

The situation was as follows and we are not sure the exact rules. A character was hit with an attack the gave them the bleed condition. The character behind him uses a heal check as their standard action to stop the bleeding per the rules to the bleed condition. Both characters were being threatened by bad guys. Does using the heal skill as a standard action in combat while threatened provoke an Attack of Opportunity on the character doing the Heal check?...

Yes

see Fuzzy-Wuzzy's link.
Aid another . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maybe[2]
Stabilize a dying friend (see Heal skill) . . Yes
[2]If you aid someone performing an action that would normally provoke an attack of opportunity, then the act of aiding another provokes an attack of opportunity as well.

so sadly you provoke. A wand with a cure light might have been better as it does not provoke. Secondly, you could have attempted to draw off the offending critter or distract using bluff or drawn off the AoO purposefully before the heal check (hoping it didn't have combat reflexes). Obscuring Mist might also have been helpful.