It is very quiet this morning.
I like quiet. But as a single mother, even though my children are now adults, the quiet worries me.
When they were little, my mama instinct would kick in when suddenly there was dead quiet.
Like now. I feel like it is the calm before the storm. Or perhaps after the storm. Or in between storms!
It is quiet outside. It is quiet in the house. It is also quiet on the internet.
I saw mostly scathing political comments on my Facebook feed. No terrorist attacks that I can see.
Not that I am searching for attacks. But my world has changed. I am on heightened alert.
It is not a question of if another terrorist attack will occur, but when and where.
Of course, there are other life threatening dangers besides terrorism lurking everywhere: Car accidents, domestic violence, fire, earthquake, gun violence...
I feel more alive by recognizing how precious life is and being aware of every possible threat. I prefer this way of being to putting my head in the sand, or buying a Pokemon Go app and searching for fictional creatures.
There are enough real creatures, in real life that I need to pay attention to.
I read an article this morning on CBSnews.com about treating gunshot wounds. Specifically in Philadelphia, a city with a very high rate of death related to gunshots. The city hospitals are planning on conducting an experiment:
"...several Philadelphia hospitals are about to conduct a citywide experiment that will ask: When gunshot or stabbing victims are being rushed to the emergency room by ambulance, could paramedics do more to save them by doing less?"
"Normally, paramedics intubate patients to keep their airway open, and give IV fluids to counteract a drop in blood pressure. But supporters of the study say that for victims who are bleeding through an open wound, these procedures may cause an increase in blood pressure that can accelerate blood loss and death."
Unfortunately, the only way to do this study is with live victims of gunshot wounds. And they have to give their consent:
"Philadelphians who don't want to participate in the study if they are ever wounded can opt out by wearing wristbands indicating their wishes. They can obtain a wristband by filling out a form online or on paper."
(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/philadelphia-gunshot-victims-treatment-experiment/)
This has me thinking. I am committed to helping others whenever and however I can.
The last time I took a first aid-CPR class, I do not recall being trained in gunshot wound (GSW) care. I wonder if this has been added to the curriculum?
I just googled "American Red Cross gun shot wounds first aid". And I found a free downloadable booklet put out by the St. Louis, Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross called "Multi-Casualty First Aid: Safe Schools". I am downloading it to study later. Tugs at my heart one of the first items brought up from my search relates to violence in the schools. The writers of the booklet dedicated it to all the "family, staff, students and friends who have experienced a school tragedy".
http://readyrating.org/Portals/1/schoolmats/32856%20Red%20Cross%20Booklet-Acrobat%204.pdf
I refined my search to"preventing and treating victims of school violence Portland Oregon". Bingo! I hit the Google jackpot!
I have my work cut out for me.
I am starting to read about how to become a NET volunteer (Neighborhood Emergency Team through the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management).
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/pbem/article/400345
I am about to start the online video training. Very excited! However, this training is primarily natural disaster response to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, etc. Very important to know. But my gut is telling me that, while we do not ever know for certain when the "big one" will hit, it is quite likely that there will be victims of human violence that need help in the near future.
I need to get recertified in first aid and CPR. I will be taking a class before fall term starts.
But I am so excited to discover that you can take Adult First Aid/CPR/AED through the Red Cross online for only $25! I am about to sign up! http://www.redcross.org/phssux/desktop.results.jsp?type=class-type-online&type=class-type-combo&type=class-type-classroom&radius=25&courseId=cours000000000049384.&zipCode=97209&lat=45.5234515&long=-122.6762071&cateIds=[cat2930015,%20cat3030016,%20cat3030015,%20cat2130015,%20catinit10004].&initialProgramType=cat50003
I wonder, am I turning into a prepper? My kids always tease me about how I like to plan. I am a chronic listmaker! I also am constantly reading. But I never spent a lot of time planning what to do in case of disaster. I guess I just held my breath and crossed my fingers.
I do not think I can do that anymore. What is that saying, "Fail to plan results in planning to fail". Something like that.
Well I am hearing by uncrossing my fingers. The time is now!
I like quiet. But as a single mother, even though my children are now adults, the quiet worries me.
When they were little, my mama instinct would kick in when suddenly there was dead quiet.
Like now. I feel like it is the calm before the storm. Or perhaps after the storm. Or in between storms!
It is quiet outside. It is quiet in the house. It is also quiet on the internet.
I saw mostly scathing political comments on my Facebook feed. No terrorist attacks that I can see.
Not that I am searching for attacks. But my world has changed. I am on heightened alert.
It is not a question of if another terrorist attack will occur, but when and where.
Of course, there are other life threatening dangers besides terrorism lurking everywhere: Car accidents, domestic violence, fire, earthquake, gun violence...
I feel more alive by recognizing how precious life is and being aware of every possible threat. I prefer this way of being to putting my head in the sand, or buying a Pokemon Go app and searching for fictional creatures.
There are enough real creatures, in real life that I need to pay attention to.
I read an article this morning on CBSnews.com about treating gunshot wounds. Specifically in Philadelphia, a city with a very high rate of death related to gunshots. The city hospitals are planning on conducting an experiment:
"...several Philadelphia hospitals are about to conduct a citywide experiment that will ask: When gunshot or stabbing victims are being rushed to the emergency room by ambulance, could paramedics do more to save them by doing less?"
"Normally, paramedics intubate patients to keep their airway open, and give IV fluids to counteract a drop in blood pressure. But supporters of the study say that for victims who are bleeding through an open wound, these procedures may cause an increase in blood pressure that can accelerate blood loss and death."
Unfortunately, the only way to do this study is with live victims of gunshot wounds. And they have to give their consent:
"Philadelphians who don't want to participate in the study if they are ever wounded can opt out by wearing wristbands indicating their wishes. They can obtain a wristband by filling out a form online or on paper."
(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/philadelphia-gunshot-victims-treatment-experiment/)
This has me thinking. I am committed to helping others whenever and however I can.
The last time I took a first aid-CPR class, I do not recall being trained in gunshot wound (GSW) care. I wonder if this has been added to the curriculum?
I just googled "American Red Cross gun shot wounds first aid". And I found a free downloadable booklet put out by the St. Louis, Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross called "Multi-Casualty First Aid: Safe Schools". I am downloading it to study later. Tugs at my heart one of the first items brought up from my search relates to violence in the schools. The writers of the booklet dedicated it to all the "family, staff, students and friends who have experienced a school tragedy".
http://readyrating.org/Portals/1/schoolmats/32856%20Red%20Cross%20Booklet-Acrobat%204.pdf
I refined my search to"preventing and treating victims of school violence Portland Oregon". Bingo! I hit the Google jackpot!
I have my work cut out for me.
I am starting to read about how to become a NET volunteer (Neighborhood Emergency Team through the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management).
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/pbem/article/400345
I am about to start the online video training. Very excited! However, this training is primarily natural disaster response to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, etc. Very important to know. But my gut is telling me that, while we do not ever know for certain when the "big one" will hit, it is quite likely that there will be victims of human violence that need help in the near future.
I need to get recertified in first aid and CPR. I will be taking a class before fall term starts.
But I am so excited to discover that you can take Adult First Aid/CPR/AED through the Red Cross online for only $25! I am about to sign up! http://www.redcross.org/phssux/desktop.results.jsp?type=class-type-online&type=class-type-combo&type=class-type-classroom&radius=25&courseId=cours000000000049384.&zipCode=97209&lat=45.5234515&long=-122.6762071&cateIds=[cat2930015,%20cat3030016,%20cat3030015,%20cat2130015,%20catinit10004].&initialProgramType=cat50003
I wonder, am I turning into a prepper? My kids always tease me about how I like to plan. I am a chronic listmaker! I also am constantly reading. But I never spent a lot of time planning what to do in case of disaster. I guess I just held my breath and crossed my fingers.
I do not think I can do that anymore. What is that saying, "Fail to plan results in planning to fail". Something like that.
Well I am hearing by uncrossing my fingers. The time is now!
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