Most responders would know what to do in an emergency situation. How about our loved ones? Would they know what to do? A little training can go a long way in bringing presence of mind to an emergency situation. Here are some ideas on where to begin.
A loved one suffers a massive heart attack. You child is stung by a bee and is now having an allergic reaction. Your husband, while working on his "honey-do" list falls off the ladder. Would you know what to do in any of these situations? A first aid or CPR training course will give you the confidence and ability to handle these situations in a calm manner. Read more...
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
PTSD
PTSD is a job hazard for emergency responders. It can kill. Responders and medical personnel see more than any human should. We are not made of Kevlar. Sometimes the wounds go very deep. I have seen the effects of stress in my job as a firefighter. It is sad to see a collegue go down the tubes. Awarenes of how stress affects a responder, be it police, firefighter, EMT or even soldier, is well known. Recognition of this stress, especially if you are a boss or loved one can mean, at the very least, saving of a career, or at the most the saving of a life. Please read the following story of Pfc. Joseph Dwyer and then go to the websites suggested at the end of the article to learn more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Army Pfc. Dwyer was found dead in his North Carolina home, apparently of an overdose. He gained the attention of the world through a photograph of him carrying an injured Iraqi boy to safety amidst the flying bullets of a firefight. The image, taken in March of 2003 by Warren Zinn of the Army Times, was very poignant. A man risking his own life for an unknown innocent. A shining example of American heroism. It reminded me of police and firefighters. One thing we seem to forget is under that tough exterior, in Dwyer's case, covered in body armor, was a man with emotions and feelings. Soldiers, like there brethren police and firefighters, sometimes have difficulty adjusting to the reality of normal life. Alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, bizarre behavior and sometimes, as in Dwyer's case suicide. These are all symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Read more...
Army Pfc. Dwyer was found dead in his North Carolina home, apparently of an overdose. He gained the attention of the world through a photograph of him carrying an injured Iraqi boy to safety amidst the flying bullets of a firefight. The image, taken in March of 2003 by Warren Zinn of the Army Times, was very poignant. A man risking his own life for an unknown innocent. A shining example of American heroism. It reminded me of police and firefighters. One thing we seem to forget is under that tough exterior, in Dwyer's case, covered in body armor, was a man with emotions and feelings. Soldiers, like there brethren police and firefighters, sometimes have difficulty adjusting to the reality of normal life. Alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, bizarre behavior and sometimes, as in Dwyer's case suicide. These are all symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Read more...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Shooting Scenes
I came across this great article on how a Police Officer should handle a shooting scene if he is the first to get there. Great stuff. Paramedics and Firefighters should read this so they can be aware of what the Police need to do. A good awareness of other emergency responders jobs can go along way.
Preliminary investigation and intelligence-gathering Paul Laska 2008 Jul 7 It's a sad fact of police life that investigators and technical specialists are often not available for response to "routine" or "mundane" incidents. Shrinking budgets, reallocations of resources, and growing rates of more serious offenses far too often relegate shootings without injuries to, at best, follow-up investigations, if any investigation at all. However, all is not lost; the patrol officer, armed with the knowledge of shooting reconstruction, can often piece together enough facts to allow follow-up from the patrol level, possibly taking a shooter off the street and making the beat a safer place for all. Read more...
Preliminary investigation and intelligence-gathering Paul Laska 2008 Jul 7 It's a sad fact of police life that investigators and technical specialists are often not available for response to "routine" or "mundane" incidents. Shrinking budgets, reallocations of resources, and growing rates of more serious offenses far too often relegate shootings without injuries to, at best, follow-up investigations, if any investigation at all. However, all is not lost; the patrol officer, armed with the knowledge of shooting reconstruction, can often piece together enough facts to allow follow-up from the patrol level, possibly taking a shooter off the street and making the beat a safer place for all. Read more...
Allergies
Man, can it be that i'm allergic to work. Maybe so, but in the mean time, check out this article on allergies. Big stuff this time of year.
An allergy is basically an exaggerated immune response to foreign substances introduced into the body system of sensitive people. Allergies of some type affect 2 out of every 10 [40 to 50 million] Americans. Allergies can develop at any time in life. Allergies can be to certain foods, pollen, pet dander, molds, latex, insect venom or chemicals. Read more...
An allergy is basically an exaggerated immune response to foreign substances introduced into the body system of sensitive people. Allergies of some type affect 2 out of every 10 [40 to 50 million] Americans. Allergies can develop at any time in life. Allergies can be to certain foods, pollen, pet dander, molds, latex, insect venom or chemicals. Read more...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Cyanide Poisoning
Cyanide poisoning is extremely rare. Would you know what to do in that situation? Start with this article for a quick brush up. Read article here...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
We all know how stressful life in the medical field can be. Heck, real life is stressful. You may be here looking for first aid information right now. If you or your loved one's condition is not life threatening, check out this vacation idea. Leave the present behind and explore America's past.
Historic Sites of Interest Along Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario, America's north coast. Canada's south coast. Whichever side of this Great Lake you're on, there is plenty to see and do.Buffalo, New York and the Erie CanalA good start for your tour of Lake Ontario historical destinations is the city of Buffalo, New York. At one time Buffalo was the northern terminus of the Erie Canal. Read more...
Historic Sites of Interest Along Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario, America's north coast. Canada's south coast. Whichever side of this Great Lake you're on, there is plenty to see and do.Buffalo, New York and the Erie CanalA good start for your tour of Lake Ontario historical destinations is the city of Buffalo, New York. At one time Buffalo was the northern terminus of the Erie Canal. Read more...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Cystic Fibrosis; An Overview
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects breathing and digestion. Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator resulting in poorly hydrated and thickened mucous secretions in the lungs. Cystic Fibrosis also causes serious digestive problems because of thickening of the mucous linings of the digestive track. Cystic Fibrosis can also affect the sweat glands and the male reproductive tract. Read more...
New Blog
Hi folks,
This blog is intended to educate and maybe make you a little more aware of what to do in medical situations. In no way is it intended to give advice or training. Your doctor is there for advice. As far as training goes, see your local community college or the American Heart Association or the Red Cross. Some of the things you see on here will be written by my training and experience as a Paramedic. Other things will be written through research. No opinions from me (for right now). I will also provide links to interesting things that I find.
Enjoy
Ray
This blog is intended to educate and maybe make you a little more aware of what to do in medical situations. In no way is it intended to give advice or training. Your doctor is there for advice. As far as training goes, see your local community college or the American Heart Association or the Red Cross. Some of the things you see on here will be written by my training and experience as a Paramedic. Other things will be written through research. No opinions from me (for right now). I will also provide links to interesting things that I find.
Enjoy
Ray
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