You Can Be Prepared

Another class I can offer. 😃

The latest news for me!… Now, you have even more options to learn life-saving skills with my CPR classes! Over the weekend, I hit the road and traveled to NY state for a quick trip so that I, as an instructor could be a student to become an instructor for AHA!!! So now I am now able to offer both American Red Cross and American Heart Association classes!!! Yay!! 😀

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FEMA ICS 100

Hope no one had to call for help yesterday.

As we move into “firework season” let’s remember…
“While it is a great American tradition to enjoy fireworks around the Fourth of July, it is important to remember that all fireworks, even sparklers, pose dangers to consumers. The safest way to view fireworks is to watch professional displays,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “If you choose light your own, make sure you only buy legal fireworks intended for consumer use from a reputable retailer. And follow the simple safety tips provided below and on CPSC’s website.” https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

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Free kindle book for 3 days only. Please be kind to the author if you download this free book and leave him an Amazon review.

https://a.co/d/07Nxr7mq

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Wilderness First Aid: Your Adventure First Aid Companion for Self-Reliance and Outdoor Safety Wilderness First Aid: Your Adventure First Aid Companion for Self-Reliance and Outdoor Safety

Safety Guidelines: Lightning

KEY POINTS
- Go inside if you hear thunder or see lightning.
- If someone was struck by lightning, call for help, assess the situation, respond, and resuscitate.
- Learn indoor and outdoor safety tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from lightning.

Keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck by lightning while indoors.
Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you might still be at risk. About one-third of lightning-strike injuries occur indoors. Here are some tips to keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck by lightning while indoors.

Indoors:

Avoid water….
- Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing
- The risk of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes. However, it is best to avoid any contact with plumbing and running water during a lightning storm to reduce your risk of being struck.

Don't touch electronic equipment…
Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
- Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, or stoves.
- Equip your home with whole-house surge protectors to protect your appliances.

Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete…
- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
- Do NOT lie on concrete floors or lean on concrete walls during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

Don't use corded phones…
Corded phones are NOT safe to use during a thunderstorm. Do NOT use them. However, it is safe to use cordless or cellular phones during a storm.

Protect your pets…
Your pets cannot protect themselves from lightning; it is your responsibility to help protect them. Remove any metal collars, leashes, or harnesses and replace with plastic. Even though metal does not attract electricity, it is a good conductor and can make injuries, such as burns, worse if struck.

Outdoors:

When thunder roars, go indoors.

Although no place outside is safe during a thunderstorm, you can minimize your risk by assessing the lightning threat early and taking appropriate actions. The best defense is to avoid lightning. Here are some outdoor safety tips that can help you avoid being struck.

Be aware. Check the forecast…
Thunderstorms with lightning in the mountains occur most often during the summer months, in the late afternoon or evening.

Check the weather forecast before participating in outdoor activities…
If the forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity, or make sure suitable safe shelter is readily available.

Beach and water activities‎…
Before leaving for the beach or any water activity, such as a boating trip, check the weather forecast so you know what to expect during the day. If the forecast is for thunderstorms, plan your trip for another day.

Pay extra attention to developing storms if you are at the beach or boating.

Listen to the forecast…
It is crucial to listen to weather information when you are at the beach or boating. Short-term forecasts are quite accurate, but sometimes miss some very localized storms.

Learn how to read the weather….
Watch for the development of large, well-defined rising cumulus clouds.
- Cumulus clouds have flat bases and dome or cauliflower shapes. Cumulus clouds can develop into thunderstorms.
Once the clouds reach 30,000 feet, the thunderstorm is generally developing, and it is time to head for shore. As clouds become darker and more anvil-shaped, the storm is already in progress.

Watch and listen for distant storm activity…
Watch for distant lightning and listen for distant thunder. You might hear thunder before you see lightning on a bright day.
If you hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter away from the water.
When thunder roars, go indoors.

Remember the phrase, "When thunder roars, go indoors."

- Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Even if you see blue sky, you could still be in danger.
- Don't resume outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes after the storm. The beginning and the end of a storm are the most dangerous times.
- If you hear thunder while you are at the beach, find a safe, enclosed shelter, such as your car. Do NOT seek shelter under beach picnic shelters.
- Avoid open spaces, vehicles, or structures.

Stay away from open spaces such as golf courses, parks, playgrounds, ponds, lakes, swimming pools, and beaches.

Avoid open vehicles such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts.

Avoid open structures such as porches, gazebos, baseball dugouts, and sports arenas. These structures won’t protect you from lightning.

Choose a safe shelter‎…
Tents, picnic shelters, gazebos, baseball dugouts, and other open shelters DO NOT provide protection from lightning. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.

Don't leave your pet outdoors…
Do NOT leave your pet outdoors or chained to a tree during a lightning storm. Doghouses are NOT safe shelters; bring your pet inside.

Seek shelter immediately, even if caught out in the open…
If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to find shelter. The most important action is to remove yourself from danger. Crouching or getting low to the ground can reduce your chances of being struck, but it does not remove you from danger.

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter nearby:

- Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks.
- Never lie flat on the ground. Crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground.
- Never shelter under an isolated tree. If you are in a forest, shelter near lower trees.
- Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
- Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (such as barbed wire fences, power lines, or windmills).
- If you are out in the open water and a storm rolls in, return to shore immediately.

- If you are on a boat in open water when a thunderstorm rolls in, return to shore immediately and seek shelter. Once on land, get at least 100 yards away from shore.
- If you are unable to return to shore, boats with cabins offer some protection. When inside the cabin during a lightning storm, stay away from all metal and electrical components, including the radio, unless it is an emergency.
- If caught in a storm in a small boat with no cabin, drop anchor and get as low as possible.

Protect your boat‎…
Learn ways you can protect your boat and minimize damage if it is struck by lightning or is near a lightning strike: NASD Boating Lightning Protection
Separate from others.

If you are in a group during a thunderstorm, separate from each other. This will reduce the number of injuries if lightning strikes the ground.

Don't stay near tall structures….
Stay away from tall structures, such as telephone poles and trees; lightning tends to strike the tallest object around.

Don't carry metal…
- Don't carry any metal objects, such as golf clubs, fishing poles, umbrellas, or backpacks with metal frames. Metal doesn't attract electricity, but it is a good conductor. Your chances of a direct hit are higher when you are carrying a conductor above shoulder level.
- Be sure to avoid other metal objects as well, such as wire fences. You are more likely to be burned if you are in contact with metal when you are struck by lightning.

First Aid Recommendations:

If a person has been struck by lightning, call for help, assess the situation, respond, and resuscitate.

Giving first aid to a person who has been struck by lightning while waiting for professional medical attention can save their life. It is safe to touch people who have been struck by lightning; they DO NOT carry an electrical charge.

Follow these four steps immediately to help save the life of a person who has been struck by lightning:

Call for help…
- Call 911 immediately—It is safe to use a cell phone or cordless phone during a storm.
- Give directions to your location and information about the person.
Items to Note When Calling for Help‎
(1) How many people were struck? (2) Where were they struck? (3) Is the storm continuing?

Assess the situation…
- Safety is a priority. Be aware of the continued lightning danger to both the person who has been struck and the rescuer.

If located in a high-risk area (for example, near an isolated tree or in an open field), you could be in danger. If necessary, move to a safer location.
If it's safe to do so, move the victim to reduce the risk of further exposure to lightning. Do not move victims who are bleeding or appear to have broken bones.

It is unusual for a person who has survived a lightning strike to have any major broken bones that would cause paralysis or major bleeding complications, unless the person suffered a fall or was thrown a long distance.

Please Note‎…
- People who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely.
Respond.

Lightning often causes a heart attack…
- Check to see if the person is breathing and has a heartbeat.
- The best places to check for a pulse are the carotid artery in the neck and the femoral artery in the groin.
- Person checking an unconscious person's pulse by placing two fingers on their carotid artery in the neck.
- The best places to check for a pulse are the carotid artery in the neck and the femoral artery in the groin.
- If the person is breathing normally, look for other possible injuries.

Lightning can cause burns, shock, and sometimes blunt trauma….
- Treat each of these injuries with basic first aid until help arrives.
- If the area is cold and wet, putting a protective layer, such as a jacket, blanket, or plastic sheet, between the person and the ground may help decrease hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature).

Resuscitate….
- If the person is not breathing, immediately begin mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
- If they do not have a pulse, start chest compressions as well (CPR).
Continue resuscitation efforts until help arrives.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lightning/safety/index.html



You Can Be Prepared

And it begins. A little light reading in my spare time. Prepping to become an AHA instructor in addition to American Red Cross.



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Hamden Fire Department is offering a great opportunity for Hamden High students interested in exploring a career in public safety!



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Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the workplace is a significant health concern. Here are some key facts:

1. **Prevalence**: SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the workplace. It can strike without warning, affecting individuals of any age, gender, or health status.

2. **Definition**: SCA occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, leading to a cessation of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. It differs from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage that stops blood flow to the heart muscle.

3. **Survival Rates**: The survival rate for SCA is very low without immediate intervention. Every minute of delay in treatment reduces the chance of survival by 7-10%.

4. **Immediate Response**: Prompt action, including calling emergency services (911) and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is critical. The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can greatly increase the chances of survival.

5. **AED Availability**: Workplaces equipped with AEDs and employees trained to use them can significantly improve survival rates. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly and provide step-by-step instructions.

6. **Training**: Regular training in CPR and AED use for employees is crucial. Many organizations offer certification programs to ensure employees are prepared to respond to SCA incidents.

7. **Risk Factors**: Common risk factors for SCA include underlying heart conditions, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. However, SCA can occur in individuals without any known risk factors.

8. **Prevention**: Regular health check-ups, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and addressing known risk factors can help reduce the incidence of SCA. Employers can support these efforts through wellness programs and providing access to health resources.

9. **Legislation**: In many places, there are regulations and guidelines for the availability and use of AEDs in public spaces and workplaces. Compliance with these regulations can be lifesaving.

10. **Impact on Workforce**: SCA not only affects the individual but also has a significant impact on coworkers and the overall work environment. Having a plan in place for emergency response can help mitigate these effects and support a safer workplace.

Understanding these facts highlights the importance of preparedness and prompt response to improve outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest in the workplace.



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Thank goodness for CPR and those individuals that took the time to get trained! A local girl was saved yesterday on a school field trip. It could have had a much worse outcome.

https://www.wfsb.com/2024/06/03/child-saved-drowning-field-trip-west-haven/

Please reach out to me if you need training. You never know when you might need to use those skills.



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13-year-old girl saved from drowning on field trip in West Haven A 13-year-old girl was saved from drowning on a field trip in West Haven, police confirmed.

Here are more statistics related to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):

• SCA Incidence: There are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) annually in the U.S., nearly 90% of them fatal.

• Survival Rates: Survival to hospital discharge after EMS-treated cardiac arrest is about 10%

• Bystander CPR: With bystander CPR, survival rates increase to approximately 30%, and with bystander CPR plus the use of an AED, SCA survival rates increase to approximately 50%.

• Location of OHCA: The location of OHCA most often occurs in homes/residences (73.4%), followed by public settings (16.3%), and nursing homes (10.3%).

• Bystander Response: Unfortunately, only about 40% of people who experience an OHCA get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives.

• Workplace Cardiac Arrests: There are about 10,000 cardiac arrests in the workplace each year in the United States

These statistics highlight the importance of widespread CPR training and the availability of AEDs to improve survival rates from SCA. Sharing this information can help raise awareness and encourage more people to learn CPR, potentially saving many lives.

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This week is National CPR and AED awareness week.

Did you know?: If performed immediately, CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

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Town of Hamden has cancelled their Memorial Day parade due to weather.

https://www.hamden.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=703

Here are some ways You Can Be Prepared during poor weather….
🌩️
Know Your Risk: Understand the terms related to severe weather preparedness:
-Watches: Severe weather is possible.
-Warnings: Severe conditions have begun or will begin soon.

Timely information on weather conditions can make a big difference. Learn about alerts and warnings:

📻
Get Alerts and Warnings:
- Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
- Monitor local weather and news.
- Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.
- Consider using a battery-powered radio in case of power outages.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) can save lives
- Sign up for Alerts from for critical information in real-time

🏠
Protect Your Home:
- Secure outdoor items that could become projectiles during high winds.
- Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home.
- Keep drains, gutters, and downspouts clean.
- Review your home insurance policy to ensure you're covered for flood damage.

Remember, being prepared and informed can help keep everyone safe during thunderstorms! 🌧️⚡🏡

Hamden Veterans Commission Names 2024 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshals  

For a safe Memorial Day weekend, here’s a first aid tip: Always have a well-stocked first aid kit ready. It should contain antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, bug spray, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen.

Additionally, be prepared for water-related activities by learning how to swim and handle emergencies. Provide constant, active adult supervision around water and ensure everyone wears a life jacket. Remember, in an emergency, reach or throw an aid to the person in trouble, but don’t go in yourself.

Enjoy your holiday, and stay safe! 🌞

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Glad I was able to help. Happy to have more people have a basic understanding of AEDs.

Learning CPR is a proactive step towards saving lives, and EMS plays a pivotal role in continuing the care that begins with bystander CPR. Together, they form a powerful duo in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest. Thank you to all the EMS workers out there!

Join the Hamden Fire Department tomorrow evening as they present two very important training sessions! Stop the Bleed & Overdose Narcan Training. Tuesday May 7, 2024 6:30 PM at the Hamden Middle School.

Because one should never stop learning and educating oneself, I spent the entire weekend taking another Wilderness First Aid course. I highly recommend if you get the chance to take a WFA course. Do it!

An earthquake shook the northeastern United States this morning. Stay safe, and follow these simple steps if you're inside during an earthquake. 👇

Want to learn the basics of hands only CPR? Come join the Hamden Fire Department this Tuesday April 9, 6:30PM for their Tuesday night trainings free to the public.

After that, when you are ready to become CPR certified, contact me to set up a class.

My own troop will be out at the QU hockey game on 3/16 and on 3/17 at Walmart between 8am and 11am. We would love to see you! 🍪

Join Square, choose a reward.
Create an account on Square and you'll be able to choose a reward, such as free processing on your first $1,000 in sales, or $20 off Square Hardware.

Sign up for Square to redeem your free processing offer! Sign up for Square to redeem your free processing offer!

FYI…

Tuesday Night Training!
Next Tuesday night, join us as we collaborate with North Haven Fire Department to offer free hands-on fire extinguisher training! March 5th, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at Hamden Middle School.