What to Do If There's a Mountain Lion in Your Office

A few weeks ago mountain lion found its way to an office courtyard in Santa Monica, California. Residents panicked and the animal was killed after attempts to tranquilize it failed. Business Week and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers the following advice should you encounter a mountain lion in the work place.

• Don’t approach it, don’t run, don’t crouch.
• Instead, try to appear larger.
• If under attack, fight back with bear pepper spray, rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools, a firearm, or whatever you have at hand.
• Close a door between you and the animal
• Don’t try to be a mountain lion whisperer, "People think they can walk up to an animal and gently deal with it. You can’t."
• Don’t throw anything at it
• Just get away from it

Halloween Safety Advice

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.
- H. P. Lovecraft

Here's some last minute Halloween Safety Advice

• Choose costumes that allow kids to move and see clearly.
• Watch out for sheets or long cloaks that might result in trips and falls. Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.
• Flame-resistant does not mean fireproof. Keep trick-or-treaters away from flames.
• Make sure your Halloween costume is colorfast so the color doesn't run onto your other clothes if it rains.
• Wear comfortable, practical shoes with shoelaces double tied to prevent tripping.
• Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic.
• Any weapons wielded should be obviously fake and not cause injury. Kids WILL play with swords. Don’t even think of dressing like a gang member and carrying a realistic looking gun or knife.
• Add reflective tape to a costume or candy bag so motorists can see you clearly. A flashlight or glow stick is also a good idea.
• Designate a route before your kids begin trick-or-treating, and make sure they stick to it.
• Don’t allow short-cuts through dark alleys, parking lots, or other areas out of sight.
• Plan the trick-or-treat route involving only known homes and NEVER trick-or-treat alone.
• Carry a cell phone so you can call for help.
• Never enter a house to get candy. Don't approach unfamiliar pets and animals.
• Follow pedestrian safety rules (use crosswalks, obey traffic lights, don’t talk to strangers or get into their car, etc.) Don't trample through flower beds and gardens.
• Kids should not sample the candy until an adult has inspected it. Toss out unwrapped goodies. When back at home offer a scary dinner or healthy snacks to discourage an orgy of candy eating. Ration the treats to ward off bellyaches and future cavities.
• Keep your pets locked up and away from the front door on Halloween. Do not give candy to pets; chocolate can make dogs sick.
• If you are handing out candy, make sure the porch is well lit without any tripping hazards. If you set jack-o-lanterns with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids costumes won't accidentally be set on fire. Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

Here is an online quiz/game to help your kids learn the Halloween rules,
http://www.halloweenmagazine.com/play2.html

Bottom Line

BOO!

A Very Knotty Post

"Aye, new yew wood knot"
- Answer to the question, is that a new wood carving? Also an example of the flexibility of the English language - the exact same spoken sentence but with totally different meaning called be spelled "I knew you would not".

Boy Scouts and knot lovers alike should check out Andy's Most Useful Knots at ASiteAboutNothing.net. Andy begins with

"For a long time, I wished I knew a set of knots that would be the knot equivalent of a Swiss army knife. I knew a few good knots, but every once in a while I'd try to do something like lashing two pieces of wood together and I'd grunt at the end because I didn't know a satisfying way to stop the rope."

I had the same experience recently while assisting our local Boy Scout Troop. They were lashing logs to make a tent and I realized I had no clue what to do. I know many knots but not lashing.

Since Andy's Knot page includes great knot tying pictures I won't every try to summarize it here. I will note something important that I learned.

When I teach Cub Scouts I point out that yes the Square Knot is wonderful. Easy to tie, a symbol of Webelos and Scouting friendship, etc. But I would not trust my life to it. People often tie it incorrectly and make a granny knot instead of a square knot with right over left, then left over right to get the classic intertwined loop look. The granny knot is not as secure and could come unbound under stress. Even when the square knot is properly made, it does NOT bind two ropes together well if the ropes are different widths or different materials. Instead I teach a sheet bend to connect two ropes.

A knot that I really like is the bowline which can be used for nearly everything. But Andy's page pointed that that the bowline suffers from the same flaw as the square knot. It is very easy to make a mistake. Hopefully you will recall the rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree, and back down the hole for making the bowline. But what I and others have trouble remembering is the correct making of the hole itself. Does the loop for the hole cross on top or underneath the binding end of the rope? (Answer is on top) According to Andy, rock climbers now prefer the "threaded figure-eight" knot. 

Bottom Line

Every Knot has a purpose and limitations. Get to know the knot families and a good knot for each purpose:

1. Attaching a rope to boat, post, climber, etc.
2. A fixed loop in a rope
3. A sliding loop
4. A tension loop (grips under stress but can be adjusted)
5. Tie two ropes together (Bends)
6. Constricting knots (closing the mouth of a bag or tieing objects together)
7. Stopper knots  (making a kink to stop a rope from slipping out a hole)
8. Lashing

Quick Car Maintenance,

“In less enlightened times, the best way to impress women was to own a hot car. But women wised up and realized it was better to buy their own hot cars so they wouldn't have to ride around with jerks.”
-Scott Adams

StumbleUpon.com offers Finances in 55 Seconds: Quick Car Maintenance, six ideas for your car that take less than a minute each.

• Do a quick de-clutter: Grab a bag and remove all the trash in your car. You may want a second bag for all the clutter that has accumulated.
• Check the fluids and top them off: Regularly check your fluids and top them off as needed.
• Look for leaks: Take a few seconds to look under the car for leaks. You can save yourself greater costs and aggravation if you take care of issues now.
• Check your tires: Properly inflated tires can be helpful as you work on improving your fuel efficiency. Check and "fill-up" all four tires. While you at it, look also for cuts, bulges and tread depth.
• Check filters: If you have the know-how, you can quickly check your own filters, and possibly even change them.
• Check lights: With a friend you can quickly check your light bulbs on brake lights, as well as your turning signal and head lamps. Change all burnt out lights.

Bottom Line

Check your car at least monthly for the items above. The total time is only a few minutes.

The Bovine Menace

"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian."
~Dennis Wholey

According to Popular Mechanics, "Statistically speaking, you are much more likely to be killed by a cow than a shark." But Hollywood makes films about sharks like Jaws and Soul Surfer. When did you ever see a movie titled, "Cud, the Killer"?

Between 2003 and 2008, 108 people died from cattle-induced injuries across the United States, according to the CDC. During the same years, only four people were killed by sharks in the U.S. Does this mean you should scream and run in panic when you see a cow? No. A third of the victims were working in enclosed spaces with cattle. The majority of deaths involved older men who had worked with the animals for years.

Cows may look docile and dumb (which they are I'm told), but they are massive and can do serious damage when angered. My uncle had his knee smashed by a kicking cow and my grandfather was kicked in the head.

Here are some bovine safety tips:

• Avoid getting into a confined space with cows. People are killed when cows smashed them against the sides of gates, fences and barns. My mother said she carried a long pin when she walked in fields amongst cattle. She would use it if two cows started leaning in and squashing her in the middle.

• When facing an angry cow, get away immediately (but remember they run faster than you!) "Don't be afraid to kick, yell, punch, whatever," your life could be at risk and it's unlikely you'll hit hard enough to hurt a 1,400-pound cow.

• If a cow or bull is pawing or snorting, "Get something between you and her," like nearby "trees, feed bunk, or other cows as long as they're chill."

Bottom Line

A calf may be cute but not so its angry mother. Treat cows with respect.

Who is Jeff Cooper?

Jeff Cooper

"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician."
- Jeff Cooper

If you're a curious sort, browsing Internet links can lead to interesting discoveries. A link that read, Don't Try to Catch a Falling Gun caught my eye. That story mentioned, Jeff Cooper’s four rules of firearms safety. Jeff who? That is answered by Wikipedia with a detailed entry on the Father of "the Modern Technique" of handgun shooting, and one of the 20th century's foremost international experts on the use and history of small arms.

Jeff Cooper taught pragmatic use of the pistol for personal protection in the 1960's. His technique emphasized two-handed shooting using the Weaver stance, replacing the once-prevalent one-handed shooting. The five elements of the modern technique are:

• A large caliber pistol, preferably a semi-automatic
• The Weaver stance
• The presentation (how to unholster and point the handgun)
• The flash sight picture (how to shoot immediately with no time to aim)
• The compressed surprise trigger break (how to pull the trigger properly)

The "flash sight picture" regards a scenario where an enemy is 7-yards away (21 feet). The FBI says an aggressor could reach you in a second and a half  — about the time it takes to "present" a pistol and "flash sight" fire immediately.

Cooper is also famous for his 4 Rules of Firearm Safety:

1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)
3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for about 60 percent of inadvertent discharges.
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

Lastly Wikipedia describes the Cooper Color Code. This is not the Homeland Security Threat Level Colors of danger but rather a personal level of threat awareness.

White - Unaware and unprepared. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "This can't be happening to me."

Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation but you're aware that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." You use your eyes and ears, and periodically scan your surroundings. This is the default if you're carrying a gun.

Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state but you remain on watchful alert. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.

Red - Time to Respond. Your mental trigger from Condition Orange has been tripped and there is clear danger present.

Bottom Line

I have no experience with guns. I knew there are gun magazines and clubs, etc but I always supposed they talked about the best kind of gun and bullets, how to store them and keep them clean. And they do discuss this (a lot). I never realized there was so much thought given to how to stand and how to pull the trigger. Makes sense in hindsight.

Potassium Iodide

"Primum non nocerum. (First do no harm)"
— attributed to Hippocrates

With Nuclear radiation leaks in Japan, bottles of Potassium Iodide have flown off the shelves of stores around the world. Recently a friend recommended that I encourage others to buy Potassium iodide. I disagreed.

In the late 70's under President Ford, Swine Flu first became a public concern and there was a push to have everyone inoculated against it. However the 1970's swine flu shot caused serious allergic reactions in rare cases. It turned out more people died from the shot than from that occurrence of Swine flu. [This is not the case today where the shot is safer and the flu deadlier.]

Potassium Iodide is similar. Yes its benefits are amazing under certain conditions. But it has side effects and can be dangerous to infants and the elderly.

Let's start with why take Potassium Iodide and what does it do?

Dangerous levels of radiation drop off quickly with distance from the accident. In Tokyo the exposure after 36 hours was equal to eating one banana (banana are high in potassium.) We get radiation all the time from the sky, from granite, from medical X-rays, etc. Fortunately, humans can tolerate a lot of low level radiation spread evenly throughout the body. But radioactive Iodine is different - it is not spread out evenly but concentrates in one spot.

The human Thyroid collects and hoards all Iodine that enters the body. If that Iodine is radioactive, it can kill the thyroid or cause thyroid cancer. [In America the cure for hyper-thyroidism is a large does of radioactive Iodine in a pill to kill the thyroid. The patient then lives on an artificial hormone to replace the thyroid secretions.] Often in the years after nuclear accidents, the only cancer to spike or become epidemic is Thyroid cancer. 

A Potassium Iodide pill blocks radioactive Iodine for 24 hours. The pill must be taken BEFORE radiation exposure to fill up the Thyroid so it has no room to absorb the bad Iodine, allowing the bad Iodine to be excreted from the body. It is VERY effective at preventing Thyroid cancer if taken immediately.

So why not pop a Potassium Iodide pill every day, just in case? The pill also shuts the Thyroid down temporarily. In the very young (under one month) this can affect brain development. Potassium Iodide can reach infants in the womb and newborns through mother's milk.

Adults can be affected in two ways. First - unlikely but serious side effects include: burning mouth/throat, sore teeth/gums, swelling inside the mouth, increased saliva, eye irritation/swollen eyelids, severe headache, swelling of the front of the neck/throat (goiter), confusion, numbness/tingling/pain/weakness of the hands/feet. Rare but very serious side effects include: chest pain, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, bloody diarrhea.

Second - a Potassium Iodide pill is good for 24 hours and is only meant to be taken once (or at most a few days if advised by emergency authorities). It's a buffer of protection as you evacuate a contaminated area. It is not meant for long term protection. When used repeatedly signs of decreased thyroid gland function include weight gain, cold intolerance, slow/irregular heartbeat, constipation, and unusual tiredness.

Bottom Line

While Potassium Iodide (KI) is very useful when properly used I have many objections to recommending that everyone buy it.

1. The news media is terrible at reporting radiation and loves to scare the public with stories like, "Radiation found in Milk in Massachusetts." This causes panic and results in people taking the KI pills when the risks of the pills outweigh the risks of radiation. You should only take the pills when public health authorities (not the media) recommend it.

2 The pill only works prior to exposure and is dangerous if used long term.

3. The dosage of KI is age dependent. Read the bottle carefully. Taking extra dosage does NOT help and can be dangerous. Adults older than 40 years should not take KI unless public health or emergency management officials say that contamination with a very large dose of radioactive iodine is expected.

4. Ask your doctor before buying to see if you or a family member has a condition that puts you in danger from Potassium Iodide. Also talk to a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.

5. Lastly - KI is not 100% protection from radiation. It protects only the Thyroid and does nothing for high levels of ration which destroy the entire body. It protect only against radioactive Iodine found in Nuclear accidents. It does not against alpha/beta/gamma radiation of dirty bombs, or nuclear explosions.

If you live near (say 100 miles as the wind blows) a Nuclear Plant, AND you understand the risks of Potassium Iodide AND when to use it, then buy a bottle. Otherwise don't.

Resources:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp
http://pediatrics.about.com/b/2011/03/16/potassium-iodide-pills.htm
http://blogs.webmd.com/breaking-news/2011/03/potassium-iodide-pills-can-they-protect-you-from-radiation-exposure.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_iodide

Workplace Safety

"TEAMWORK, a lot of people doing things my way" - quote on an office coffee mug

Recently my workplace required that I complete three safety courses online. Here are some of the notes I took.

Slips, trips and falls are the second leading cause of injuries in America after motor vehicle accidents. Annually there are

• 1 Million injuries
• 11,000 deaths
• 300,000 disabling worker injuries
• 1,400 worker deaths

Injuries account for 15-20% of workman's compensation at a cost to employers of 10K and up.

Top reasons for slips, trips and falls: spilled liquids, loose floor mats, improper use of ladders, walking with a load that obstructs view.

A trip is called a same level fall. A fall from a ladder is an elevated level fall. Elevated level falls are less frequent but cause more damage.

Keep work areas neat  (no clutter on floor, clean spills, conceal power cords) and well lit.  Use proper equipment and follow good habits like learning to fall correctly (don't fall on head, better to land on your butt vs your back, don't try to stop fall with hands or elbows)

Back Injury:

• affects 1 million workers and is the largest single contributor in injury cases and insurance claims.
• 1 out of 5 workplace injuries are for back pain
• 100 million workdays are lost annually
• 8 out of 10 people in the US will go to doctor for back pain sometime in their life.
• There is 80% chance of reinjury

Types of back injury include:

• strain & fatigue
• fractured vertebrae
• spinal cord nerve injury
• pressure on nerves
• disc tear, fracture, or rupture

Signs of overexertion include spasms & pain. Stop what you're doing!

Improper lifting accounts for 90% of back injuries.

If injured, get into a comfortable position and apply ice. Get medical help ASAP.

Bottom Line

Accidents happen, even in offices. Each year there 300-400 deaths in offices.

Turbulence

Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway. - Mary Kay Ash

Do you hate the seat belt sign on airplanes? Why do they force passengers to stay in their seats? Well a recent United Flight from DC to LA demonstrates why.

A plane with 255 passengers hit severe turbulence and 4 crew and 21 persons were seriously hurt. The plane was diverted to Denver where a medical triage center was set up at the airport and the injured sent to Denver hospitals. Injuries included bruises, sprains, whiplash and strains.

"It was a bit of a blur. People were screaming and yelling," recalled one passenger on board the flight. She also described watching as the woman in the seat next to hear "slammed into the side of the cabin, leaving a crack above the window, and a girl across the aisle flew into the air and hit the ceiling."

Bottom Line

When flying, keep your seat belt on. Turbulence can occur at any time.

What’s in your First Aid kit?

“It would be terrible if the Red Cross Bloodmobile got into an accident. No, wait. That would be good because if anyone needed it, the blood would be right there.”-unknown

For the Cub Scout Readyman activity, boys are required to inspect a First Aid kit and explain the contents. So what exactly should they expect to find inside? If you buy a First Aid kit with “100 pieces”, you can bet 80-90% of the content is just generic “Band-Aids” in various sizes. A kit should contain so much more.

First, a short digression. Do you know the difference between a dressing and a bandage? A dressing covers the wound – typically an absorbent gauze. A bandage holds the dressing on the wound and keeps it from falling off. It could be tape or an elastic wrap. A Band-Aid is a product by Johnson and Johnson that combines a dressing with an adhesive bandage.

So yes, item #1 in a kit needs to be several sizes of adhesive bandages to cover your basic cuts and scratches. These can be bought cheaply in bulk at dollar stores or drug stores.

For large wounds, buy several packets of sterile gauze (four inch squares are best). Again buy a large package and share with friends. You’ll also need medical adhesive tape or elastic bandages to hold down the gauze. I favor elastic bandages since these can also be used as wraps for a sprained foot or knee or hand or elbow. You might need to include a small pair of scissors if your bandage roll resists tearing strips off.

Before applying the dressing, you’ll want to clean small wounds with triple-antibiotic ointment. Don’t try to clean or wash large gaping or profusely bleeding wounds. Cover large wounds immediately, apply pressure to stop the bleeding, and see a doctor.

Clean your hands with an antiseptic hand cleaner before (and after) applying First Aid. For First Aid kits in your car or other situations where you might be aiding a stranger, wear rubber gloves to prevent blood borne disease contamination. Include a plastic bag or garbage bag to safely dispose of blood soaked items.

If you’re trained in CPR, add a barrier mask to your public kit to block germs (and vomit) when doing mouth-to-mouth.

Don’t forget to include items for pain relief like insect bite swabs (Hydrocortisone to prevent itching) and child-safe acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin is discouraged for children under 19 as it can cause Reye’s Syndrome. Chewable aspirin is encouraged for adults who may be suffering a heart attack.

Tweezers are essential for removing splinters but potentially harmful for insect bite/stings. Scrape away, never tweeze, a bee stringer. Tweezing will push more venom into the body. Likewise use tweezers with care when pulling away a tick. Pull gently and slowly to avoid breaking off the tick’s head and leaving that embedded in the skin to cause an infection. Never squeeze the tick's body when it's attached as this will push more tick germs into the bloodstream increasing the chance of Lyme disease.

Include one or more large triangular bandages (like the Scout neckerchief) as a splint for injuries. You can make these yourself out of old sheets.

For extra credit, include an instant cold pack. These can reduce swelling with sprains.

In cold climates, an instant heat pack might save you from frostbite. Stuff it in your shoes or between layers of gloves. Do not apply directly to skin.

For kits outside the house, add a space blanket. Keep victims warm and covered after trauma to prevent shock.

If you have the space, add some Calamine lotion for Poison Ivy.

Last but not least, include a good First Aid book (or booklet) that you like and can understand.

Bottom Line

Your need at least one well equipped First Aid kit in your house. Another for each car. Your workplace should have a kit (required by law?) - do you know where it is?

Customize your kits for your activities. If you camp or hike or play sports you'll want more protection from insects, poison ivy, sprains, broken bones, etc.

Resources

http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/code/First_Aid_Kit_Contents.pdf
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/lifeline/fakit.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aid_kit
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/firstaid_kit.html
http://www.survival-center.com/firstaid/kit.htm
http://youthsports.rutgers.edu/resources/administrative/recommended-first-aid-kit-contents

Safety Mnemonics

“A snake deserves no pity”- Yiddish Proverb

Since the theme this week has been memory, I’ll close with some safety mnemonics.

Green Beret Myke Hawke offers a handy mnemonic for remembering which berries are safe to eat in the wild:

White and yellow, kill a fellow.
Purple and blue, good for you.
Red... could be good, could be dead.

If red berries are growing in little clusters, they're probably not good. If they're growing in little singletons, they probably are good.

First Aid books teach ABCD for responding to someone not breathing:

A = Tilt the head back to open the Airway
B = Check for Breathing
C = Check for Circulation (a pulse or heartbeat). Begin CPR if needed.
D = Use a Deliberator if no pulse

When sailing at night you'll see red lights and green lights but which is port and which is starboard, which is left and which is right?

I think of red as a port wine.
I link port with left because both are spelled with 4 letters.

The following mnemonic identifies the poisonous coral snake of North America from similar looking snakes. I’ve called it to mind a few times when seeing a black snake with color bands (see Bottom Line below):

Red on Yellow Kills a Fellow,
Red on Black, Venom Lack

Bottom Line

The danger of a mnemonic is remembering it wrong! When looking for a picture of a coral snake with Google images I kept seeing yellow bands on black. This did not match my memory:

Yellow on black – poison lack [WRONG!]
Black on white – poison in sight

In preparing for this blog I’ve learned that I’ve been completely wrong all my life about which snake was safe and which was deadly. Good thing I never tried to pick one up! Yellow and white on black are both signs of danger. It can be hard to distinguish yellow from white so treat both as deadly.

Another person had a similar experience - this is from a comment on LifeHacker.com

Speaking of mnemonics, when I was about 11, my Dad and his buddies called me outside and showed me this pretty snake. "Catch it, Ali!" they said. "Look, the yellow and the black bands are together-yellow and black, friend of Jack!" I chased the snake around for a minute before looking up and saying, "Ummm....Dad-the red and black bands are next to each other, too!" Yeah, my Dad had me chasing around a coral snake!

Burglars

“In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?”- Saint Augustine

Reader’s Digest has been discovering the tricks that burglars use:

1. They frequently rob during the day while normally dressed as a census/survey taker, a lawn guy, etc. Or a crook may use a day job like an appliance deliveryman, carpet cleaner or painter to check out the houses they visit.
2. They may knock at the door, and if no one answers AND the door is unlocked, just let themselves in. Burglars may also check side doors and the garage door (when the garage connects to the house).
3. They also love open windows.
4. They are not afraid to break a window to get in. If your typical neighbor hears an odd sound, followed by just silence, he’ll go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
5. The antidote to #4 is loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
6. Alarm systems won’t deter if they are not turned on.
7. Windows with open blinds or curtains advertise what you have worth stealing.
8. There are many ways to let a burglar know you’re away from home
   -You post about your upcoming vacation on your blog or facebook
   -Your mailbox is full
   -Newspapers have not been picked up
   -There are no footprints in day-old snow, or your drive is not plowed.
   -The house is dark between sunset and bedtime.
   -A flyer left in your front door

Bottom Line

Professional burglars are savvy. They’ll look at your landscaping, your cars, views through the window, and so on to determine if you have quality goods worth stealing. They’ll carry out small safes and know all the traditional hiding places like sock drawers, dresser drawers, bedside tables, matresses, and the medicine cabinets.

A good deterrent is putting lights, a TV, or fake tv on a timer so the house does not look empty at night.

Rest Stops

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin

In an effort to save money, the WSJ reports that states are closing some roadside rest stops (i.e. Virginia, Louisiana, Maine, Vermont, and Colorado. Others like Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Arizona are considering it.) This is bad for motorists. According to a German study from 2007, “driver fatigue (sleepiness, tiredness) is the largest identifiable and preventable cause of road accidents worldwide, accounting for approximately 15-20 percent of all accidents.”

Fatigue can occur at any time of day. I’m sometimes sleepy behind the wheel during my morning commutes as I’m still waking up. During a vacation back in college I was so exhausted after midnight while trying to reach my reserved motel room that I had to take a roadside nap so I could continue driving. If you need a sudden nap, do NOT pull off onto the highway shoulder or the top of an off-exit ramp. You may get rear-ended at high speed by a drunk diver who is lane weaving.

Besides night driving, the AAA identifies 2-4pm as a danger time for fatigue. Lunch digestion kicks in and the body gets sleepy. The siesta cultures are on to something here.

States maintain 2,500 rest areas along the interstates. There are no federal rules for their spacing, but the recommended distance is no more than one hour's drive apart. If there is no rest area or it’s closed, look for an exit if you’re feeling tired or need a break. A national directory lists nearly 2,500 privately owned truck stops located at interstate extis. Wal-Mart permits overnight stays by recreational vehicles at most of its 4,000 locations.

Bottom Line

Consumer Reports has these suggestions to avoid fatigue:

• Get adequate sleep before you drive
• Take breaks. If feeling tired, pull off the road and nap for 15-20 minutes.
• Arrange for a travel companion to swap driving duties
• Avoid alcohol and/or medications that can cause drowsiness
• Caffeine may help, but it takes times to activate and when it wears off it can leave you even more tired.
• Drinking water helps as it prevents dehydration that can cause drowsiness. It also requires you to pull over regularly for a bathroom break.

Exercising on Hot Days

“Laughter is as good as jogging for our heart, lungs, and brain” - unknown

Exercising in hot weather can be dangerous for your and your dog.

Pets need exercise, but on very hot days it is best to limit walks or exercise to early morning or evening hours when it’s cooler. Hot asphalt and beach sand can burn pet paws. Pets can get sunburned too, and may require sunscreen on their nose and ear tips.

With people, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration are real possibilities when the temperature is greater than 70 degrees with humidity of 70% and above. High humidity means sweat doesn't evaporate very well because the air is already saturated with moisture. So you're losing fluids but not cooling down.

1. Stay hydrated. Take a drink every 15 minutes when exercising and consider a sports drink like Gatorade to replace lost salts and electrolytes.

2. Avoid the peak heat between 10am and 3pm.

3. Dress in light, comfortable clothes in light colors

4. Know the symptoms of heat illness: headache, nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness. Stop your fitness workout routine immediately, start replacing fluid, and find shade or spray your body with cool water.
Signs of heat stroke include confusion, rapid pulse, difficultly breathing, and dry skin with no sweat. If you suspect heat stroke, it's important to seek medical attention immediately as this can be a life threatening.

5. Wear sunscreen.

6. Cut yourself a little slack on extra hot days. This is NOT the time to maximize your workout. The good news is that you’ll be burning extra calories just coping with the heat.

7. When the temperature hits 80 with humidity consider moving your workout to an air-conditioned mall or gym. An increase in your body’s core temperature reduces the endurance capacity of your muscles.

8. If you insist on working out outdoors, build up to it slowly with short workouts in the heat for two weeks before your body is ready for the full routine.

9. Train with other people when it’s extra hot. Remember confusion is a symptom of heat stroke so a friend may notice if you’re in trouble, even if you don’t.

Bottom Line

If you live in a city, high heat can also mean poor air quality with ozone or smog. Long term exposure to smog can reduce the immune system's ability to fight off respiratory infections and can damage lung cells.

See Also
http://www.hss.edu/conditions_14593.asp/
www.50plus.com/Health/Fitness/index.cfm?documentID=21577
www.bukisa.com/articles/84831_how-to-exercise-in-hot-weather

Lightning Myths

“There are only three things that can kill a farmer: lightning, rolling over in a tractor, and old age.”-Bill Bryson

According to the National Weather Service, “lightning kills on average more than 70 people and injures at least 300 each year in the U.S. Most people assume they will never get hit and yet they pour money into lotteries where your chance of winning is less likely than your odds of being struck by lightning. So the “Hey, you never know” lottery philosophy needs to be applied to lightning too.

Much about lightning that people think they know is false. Here are some common myths:

• Lightning never hits the same place twice
  False. The top of the Empire State Building is hit a hundred times a year.
  
• I’m safe if there’s blue-sky overhead
  False. Lightning can easily travel more than three miles from the thundercloud. 10-15 miles is rare but can happen. So distant clouds can be a local concern. Don’t wait for rain to stop a sports game. If you see dark, angry clouds approaching, call the game.
  
• A car is safe from lightning because of the rubber tires
  False. After traveling several miles through air, lightning will laugh at two feet of rubber. It is the metal body of the car that directs lightning around you and keeps you safe. This also means that fiberglass cars, bikes, motorcycles, and open cabin tractors will NOT keep you safe. Likewise rubber sneakers or a rubber rain jacket offer NO protection.
  
• Lightning is attracted to metal or take off anything metal
  False. Metal does not act as a lightning magnet; bolts are just as happy to hit trees and stony mountains. HOWEVER, when lightning does strike, it can travel over 100 yards through metal fences, cars, bleachers, etc.
  
• You can become electrified by touching a lightning victim.
  False. Humans are not batteries and do not store electricity. Give CPR immediately.
  
• Trees will protect you from lightning
  False. Anything tall attracts lightning and being under a tree is the second leading place for lightning deaths.
  
• I’m safe from lightning inside my house
  Yes, But… A lightning strike on the house can cause current to run through phone wires, electrical cords, metal window frames, water pipes (even plastic), etc. Stay away from windows and away from phones and appliances.
  
• A surge protector or UPS will protect my computer against lightning strikes
  False. A surge protector is great for normal, everyday spikes in electricity but lightning is off the scale. The only sure way to protect computers, TVs, etc during a storm is to unplug them.
  
• If lightning is about to strike you outdoors, lie flat on the ground
  False. Lightning can travel over 100 feet though the ground so you maximize your exposure by lying flat. Instead use the ‘Lightning Crouch’ – feet together, crouch low, head tucked, ears covered. You want to be low down with minimal ground contact.
  
• Lighting won’t strike water
  False. Lightning can strike water so boaters and swimmers are not safe in a storm.
  
• Stand near a tall object so the lightning will strike it instead of you.
  False. Lightning is very fickle. It prefers tall objects but it can and does strike anything it wants to. Even if the tall object is hit, you can still be fried if within 100 feet of the strike.
  
• Most lightning injuries occur to golfers
  False. Common victims include postal workers on foot, telephone repairmen, farmers in large fields, joggers, hikers, campers and of course, golfers.
  
• A lightning strike is always fatal
  False. A strike will instantly kill 20% to 30% of the time. Sometimes the heart is stopped and immediate CPR is needed. Sometimes lightning just flashes over the outside of a victim, blowing off the clothes but leaving few external signs of injury and few, if any, burns.

Bottom Line

This myth list is for information only. There is still much about lightning that is not understood. No guarantee of lightning safety is stated or implied.

Resources
www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/pdfs/LightningMyths-1.pdf
www.uic.edu/labs/lightninginjury/ltnfacts.htm
www.wvlightning.com/lmyths.shtml
www.essortment.com/hobbies/lightningthunde_scqd.htm

Fireworks!!!

You may be a redneck if... your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand. Jeff Foxworthy

When I was a child in Idaho, my uncle purchased two large grocery bags filled with fireworks. He set these near the base of a tether ball pole. Then he attached a sparking wheel to the top of the pole and lit it. Some sparks fell in to the bags and started a chain reaction of explosions as everything went off. It was exciting for all of 60 seconds but not what he intended.

Tomorrow is July 4 and you may be setting off some fireworks of your own (legal or illegal?) Here are some safety tips:

• Use fireworks outdoors only


• Don’t combine fireworks or try to build your own from the powder. Light one at a time.


• Light the fireworks with a long match or torch and get away quickly.


• Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water


• The shooter should wear safety glasses


• The shooter should be an adult and sober


• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials. If lighting fireworks on grass, lay down a flat wooden board for a shooting surface.


• A minimum clear radius of 30 feet for fountains and other ground based items and 100 yards for any aerial product is recommended.


• Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or on your person.


• Never smoke when working with fireworks


• Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand, just in case


• If you allow young children to use a sparkler (min age 12 is suggested), then warn them never to touch the sparking end. The tip of a sparkler burns at over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns and melt glass.


• Children should never pick up firework fragments or duds that may be left over, they may still be active.

Bottom Line

Each year about 10,000 people are injured by fireworks in the US. It’s important to put the most space between you and the firework when lighting. Never use short matches. You don’t want your fingers an inch from a possible explosion.

Sunburn

“Even if you've been fishing for 3 hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and sunburn, you're still better off than the worm”

I’m not a summer person or a beach person because I do not tan easily. I burn.

Sunburn is caused by UV-radiation emitted by the sun. Since UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells, the body tries to defend itself by making the skin darker (i.e. tanning) to block or absorb the rays safely. UV related skin damage has been linked to skin cancer and doctors are seeing a cancer spike in tan-seeking youth.

Snow and light-colored sand reflect UV light and increase sunburn risk. In these situations, UV rays may reach exposed skin from both above and below. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation reaches the earth. [CDC] Injury can start within 30 minutes of exposure so always use an effective sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15. And don’t skimp on applying the sunscreen. Dermatologists prescribe the equivalent of a shot-glassful every single time you slather up-and a reslathering every two hours. Wear dark color clothes with a tight weave (ugh, heat!). Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect the eyes.

In an ironic twist, some recent research blames sunscreen for a rise in skin cancer. The argument goes like this: Sunscreen (SPF factor) blocks UV-B rays which cause sunburn and generate vitamin D in the body. Most sunscreens do not block UV-A rays which penetrate further and cause tanning and skin cancer and wrinkles. Hence many individuals, protected by sunscreen from burning, are staying out longer and overdosing on UV-A rays.

If, like me, you forget the sunscreen and get sunburned, here are some suggestions:

• take a cool (not cold) shower or bath immediately
• apply cool towels to the burn area for several hours to take away the heat
• symptoms usually start about 4 hours after sun exposure, worsen in 24-36 hours, and resolve in 3-5 days
• consume extra fluids for the next 2 or 3 days
• take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or (adults only) aspirin, if needed, to relieve the pain
• re-moisturize your skin with moisturizing cream, aloe, or 1% hydrocortisone cream (see Dr before using cream on children under age two).
• There is little you can do to stop skin from peeling after a sunburn-it is part of the healing process. Lotion may help relieve the itching.
• When you go out, cover the burned area with clothing so you don’t make it worse

When to visit a doctor for a sunburn:

• the skin blisters
• the pain is extreme or lasts more than two days
• your face swells
• the burn covers a large portion of the body (15%)
• you get a fever or chills
• you have a headache or feel faint
• you become dehydrated (dry eyes and mouth)
• your skin become infected

Bottom Line

Sunscreen is only a temporary protection from UVB rays. Most need to be reapplied every few hours and don’t skimp on the amount you use. Check the instructions.
Look for sunscreens with protection from UVA rays.

More Winter Survival Tips

“I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood.”
- Bill Watterson, author of Calvin & Hobbes

I've written earlier about the importance of staying informed, see Red Cross - Be Informed. But it's not easy. Did you know that the week of October 26th to November 1st was Winter Weather Awareness Week in the Empire State of NY? I didn't.

One site that did pay homage to the event was StormWatch 8 Weather which published several valuable articles on Winter Survival. Here are my recommendations ...

• Stay home during major winter storms. If you've prepared yourself, you'll be able to ride out the storm with your home supplies and alternative means to stay warm.
• Plan for several days of snow blocked roads. Keep a three day supply of non perishable food which does not require cooking or refrigeration. Have an old fashion, non-electric can opener that you can use (some manual can openers are near impossible to use right). Store one gallon of water per person for at least three days.
• Renew your medications at least three days before they run out. You don't want to run out of medication when the pharmacy is closed by a snow emergency.
• Have lots of extra batteries. If you lose power you'll need them for your portable radio, NOAA weather radio and flashlights.
• If you lose power you will probably lose your primary source of heat as well. Do you have a fireplace or wood stove? Has it been inspected and cleaned and is in a safe condition to use? Each winter people die from Carbon Monoxide poison trying to keep warm with a malfunctioning heat source.
• If you must go outdoors wear several layers of warm, loose fitting clothing and a hat. The layers trap body heat better than one heavy layer. Layers can also be taken off to avoid becoming too warm. You don't want to sweat - water and cold are a dangerous combination. Likewise your outer most layer should be water repellent to keep melting snow away from your body.
• Beware of the winter health risks: Frostbite, Hypothermia, and Heart Attack. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart so unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack. My wife knew someone who died while shoveling his driveway.
• In extreme cold, mittens protect better than gloves. In a mitten the fingers share body heat from your hand. In a glove each finger stands alone.

Bottom Line

Winter storms are dangerous and potentially fatal. It's worth taking a sick day or vacation day to avoid icy accidents on the road. Is a day of work worth your life?

Here are some facts from Wisconsin’s Winter Awareness Week (Nov 10-14):

• There are around 17,000 vehicle accidents in Wisconsin during winter months when roads are covered with ice, snow or slush.
• About 75 people are killed and 7,000 people are injured each winter season in Wisconsin accidents when roads are ice, snow or slush covered.
• Many crashes are caused by “driving too fast for current conditions.” When the first blast of winter arrives, motorists often need to “re-learn” how to drive in slippery conditions.

For lots of winter prep details, check at the CDC Winter page, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/

Update 11/20/08

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 is Winter Weather Awareness Day in Kansas

Protecting your Food Storage

"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-haaa!" - song title and lyric

When a disaster happens, people may become hungry and desperate and look enviously at you with your back-up power generator and grilling steaks on the BBQ. Things can get ugly when you have food and your neighbors do not.

There are several ways to cope with this situation:

1. Share
   When the Mormon church recommends that its members store one year of food, it is generally acknowledged that families won't really need to survive for one year on food storage alone. Instead the one year buffer gives you plenty to share with others who don't have stored food. We have friends who lived in Puerto Rico when a hurricane hit the island. Neighbors came for many days with starving kids pleading for food and medicine like aspirin. Fortunately they had supplies to share.
   
2. Keep a Low Profile
   A second strategy is to use stealth. Hide your food storage in multiple locations around the house so if you get raided you only lose part of your supplies. Don't flaunt your supplies and keep it secret, especially after a disaster. Neighbors may still become suspicious if you're not spotted waiting in long food/water lines (because you don't need it).
   
3. Use Force to Defend Yourself
   Personally I don't own a gun but there are those who advocate having the means to fight back should someone try to steal your emergency supplies. If you buy a gun or rifle be sure to have a gun lock and keep it away from children. As a child playing hide and seek, I found a hunting rifle in my dad's closet. Kids will find out your hiding places.

Bottom Line
Having an emergency food storage is a wonderful accomplishment. Now take time to think about how it will be used or protected during an actual emergency. Will you share it, hide it, or defend it?

Updated Nov 8.

For another blog on self defense and your options check out Run and Hide or Blow Their Heads Off at Code Name Insight.

Also interesting: Krav Maga - Israeli Martial Arts