MY EARLIER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS POST drew this email:
Glenn, if you are so inclined, please remind people that one of the best things to do to be prepared for disasters is to be trained in first aid and CPR. Too many people (myself included, but I’m planning to fix that) don’t even know the basics of first aid, and ought to.
Secondly, a plug: If anyone can, please try to volunteer at and be trained by local fire and rescue/emergency medical units, especially in more rural areas. Many men and women volunteer their time to serve their communities in this way, and they are CRITICAL. I am so proud of my husband, because he saw this need in our community, and stepped up to the plate.
Each person who aids their neighbors this way deserves our deep gratitude and recognition!
Absolutely. And reader Tom Jank writes:
Maybe there’s something in the water, regarding interest in Disaster Prep. CBS just renewed “Jerico,” the one hour drama about a small town cut off by a nuclear blast.
Checking my office email, I noted this message from the other day (we’re on Fall Break so I hadn’t noticed it before): “A Homeland Security exercise involving multiple jurisdictions will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, on part of the UT campus. Several parking areas and sections of roads will be closed for the exercise.”
And, pulling together two big themes from today, reader Scott Cosman writes:
Perhaps folks are buying the disaster kits in preparation for the Democratic takeover of Congress.
It all makes sense, now.
UPDATE: Chris Nordby emails:
During a large-scale disaster, one with mass casualties, the priorities of medical care shift to doing the most good for the most people with the available resources. Sustaining CPR until outside helps arrives during such a disaster is not a very realistic proposition. I would suggest that if isolated pockets of people have a member of the group present the signs and symptoms that are taught in CPR classes, then they will lose nothing by attempting to revive the afflicted member. However, stopping after a prudent time will probably be necessary if the casualty doesn’t spontaneously respond.
I suggest advanced first aid training as a better adjunct for disaster preparedness such as that available from the American Red Cross. (Personally, I also keep a copy of my old Boy Scout Handbook in my kit because of the variety of subjects that support disaster preparedness.)
Ah, as a matter of full disclosure, I am a former US Army Special Forces Medical NCO (MOS 18D) and now make a living as a Security Analyst for Lockheed Martin servicing a Homeland Security contract. I routinely act as part of a team assessing Homeland Security installations to determine their level of preparedness in the face of a terrorist attack. My part on that team is to assess their medical preparedness and reaction to WMD events.
Anyway, CPR is great and helpful for a functioning community with ready access to EMS support, but first aid is better for disasters where survivors can expect to be cut off for anywhere from 3-14 days.
Yes, I took an advanced first aid course years ago — it was more like bush medicine, really, with everything from how to do traction and bonesetting to delivering babies, and I hope I never use any of it — but that’s closer. However, many CPR courses are bundled with other basic trauma first-aid training. Good point, though.