Survival

[Traveler]

Having posted in the scouting thread I thought it might be fun to review some idea of survival. The first concerns having a heart attack.

I hope none of you will ever need this, but somebody you know may.

Don't forget the aspirin! Keep 3 adult aspirin in an easy, squeeze open container in our cars, on the sun visor. Grab them and chew and swallow!

Aspirin is known to save lives in event of heart attacks; it acts similarly to the drug they give heart attack patients in the ER. I also have a label on the container saying "Aspirin 30 grains" so any paramedic finding us would know what we have already taken, this is important.

Do this and then start coughing to get the heart beating good and hard and the aspirin circulating.

CPR on Yourself

Let's say it's 6:15 pm and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated.

Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately, you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.

However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest.

A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

The Traveler

[Traveler]

Triangles of life and surviving an earth quake.

Most of us have been taught that if an earthquake occurs to seek protection under a desk, table, doorway or some other protection. As it turns out experts are now saying these types of precautions can cause more death than lives saved. The reason is that standing objects tend to get crushed flat. Being under something getting crushed is a death trap. The concept to save your life is what is called the triangle of life. By lying next to a standing object like a desk or file when the standing object is crushed there is a space of protection next to the object in the shape of a triangle that has a much higher chance of surviving.

For example when the last earthquake hit in San Francisco there were several car on a double decker freeway that collapsed crushing the cars and the people inside. Had the people gotten out of the cars and laid on the ground next to the cars that were crushed there was space in which they could have survived.

Another important clue to survival is to seek a triangle of life as close as possible to an outside wall. Thus if you are trapped it is easer to get to you for emergency crews. You are also easer to find and locate for search and rescue unites (dogs).

The Traveler

[Guest TheProudDuck]

Trav,

I've heard that there's some controversy about whether the "triangle of life" approach is superior to the "duck and cover" approach.

I would think that in a monster earthquake that has the possibility to knock a building down, the triangle approach would work best; getting under an ordinary table probably won't do you much good if the building pancakes.

On the other hand, it can take a few moments to find and get under a proper triangle, and in a minor earthquake, you're more likely to be injured by falling objects or breaking glass. (In my particular case -- an earthquake directly under my eleventh-grade Spanish class -- I got bonked by a wooden plaque falling from the top of the chalkboard before I could do anything at all.)

As for CPR, I would add that when the paramedics finally do arrive with the defibrillator paddles, and if you're the guy working the ventilator, you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear." Those shocks do not feel good at all.

[john doe]

As for CPR, I would add that when the paramedics finally do arrive with the defibrillator paddles, and if you're the guy working the ventilator, you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear." Those shocks do not feel good at all.

Pansy.

Is it stronger than being shocked by a spark plug wire? How about a charged capacitor? How does it compare to touching a live 240 volt wire?

[Guest TheProudDuck]

Originally posted by john doe@Jan 21 2005, 01:48 PM

As for CPR, I would add that when the paramedics finally do arrive with the defibrillator paddles, and if you're the guy working the ventilator, you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear." Those shocks do not feel good at all.

Pansy.

Is it stronger than being shocked by a spark plug wire? How about a charged capacitor? How does it compare to touching a live 240 volt wire?

Although I have a hard time distinguishing the intensity of shocks (they all have pretty much the same effect on me, namely, making me jump backwards and utter words I do not ordinarily use), the defibrillator felt about the same as grabbing the exposed plug of my travel shaver plugged into a 220-volt European outlet (one of those occasions where the little safety-inspector voice in my head shouted "WHAT THE *** ARE YOU DOING!!!" a fraction of a second too late).

[john doe]

I always figure a man should know his limitations. For me personally, the spark plug thing is a nice little jolt that surprises more than hurts. I once knew a man whom it didn't bother at all, in fact he would grab the offending wire without flinching and then touch others whom he would shock. The last person in line always felt it the worst. I can handle the bite of 120 volts, it gives just enough of a burn to let you know not to do it again. 240 volts is my personal limit, the last time I touched one of those I wound up on the floor 10 feet away from the source.

Of sourse, as they say, it's not the volts that kill, it's the amps. Spark plug wires run from 50,000 to 80,000 volts, but carry very little amperage in the line.

[Guest TheProudDuck]

I don't know my amps from a hole in the ground, which is why it's probably a good idea for me to steer clear of fiddling with electrical stuff generally.

I do notice the difference between 110 and 220. (Aren't those the actual US/European voltages, or is it really 120/240?) I was putting up Christmas lights once and, having unplugged the cord, was unscrewing a broken bulb with my fingers when my little sister thought it would be fun to plug the lights in again. The jolt really wasn't that bad, except that I was standing on a ladder, and the shock startled me enough that I fell off.

The 220 volt European voltage is another story. On my mission, I had an electric travel shaver that could handle either voltage, but of course needed an attachment to fit the plug into the round European-style wall socket. The attachment consisted of a piece of plastic with round plugs on one side becoming two metal clamps on the other, into which clamps the American flat plug would fit. The clamps were covered by a plastic casing.

One day, I tried to unplug the attachment and the attachment came apart, with the casing coming away in my hand and the metal clamps being exposed. Idiot me, I naturally just reached out to pull the plug out of the socket by grabbing the metal clamps. Just as my fingers were closing around the clamps, I really did hear some inner voice screaming in horrified disbelief that I was about to do something so dumb. I spasmed so hard I bounced off the opposite wall of my apartment eight feet away (these were not spacious accommodations!) and yelled an unmissionary-like word or three. I got two nice little burns on my thumb and forefinger, and my companion just about died laughing after he saw I wasn't dead, but before I'd stopped smoldering.

Then the next week he shocked himself trying to replace a blown fuse, so I got to laugh. It really is amazing the casualty rate among missionaries isn't higher.

[Outshined]

Well, bear in mind that the purpose of a difibrillator is to start your heart by jolting the muscle with electricity. A LOT of electricity. So it seems logical that with enough power to control your heart it is enough to stop that same heart... Yes, I imagine it did hurt.

[Snow]

Originally posted by TheProudDuck@Jan 21 2005, 11:14 AM

Trav,

I've heard that there's some controversy about whether the "triangle of life" approach is superior to the "duck and cover" approach.

Yes you are correct that there is some controversy about the "triangle of life" tactic. That's why I prefer the lesser known but more reliable "Polygon of Life" or it's cousin the "Trapezoid of half-life"

Once during the Northridge earthquake, I saved the life of a young immigrant family using the "Undead Mandelbrot Fractal of Ressurection" but special knowledge requirements make this technique unsuitable for lay-people.

Say, if you are ever in a Tsunami situation, be sure to try the Polynomial Non-Congruent Tetragrammaton of Life-Extention. It's a sure-fire winner.

[Amillia]

Originally posted by Traveler@Jan 21 2005, 12:38 PM

Triangles of life and surviving an earth quake.

Most of us have been taught that if an earthquake occurs to seek protection under a desk, table, doorway or some other protection. As it turns out experts are now saying these types of precautions can cause more death than lives saved. The reason is that standing objects tend to get crushed flat. Being under something getting crushed is a death trap. The concept to save your life is what is called the triangle of life. By lying next to a standing object like a desk or file when the standing object is crushed there is a space of protection next to the object in the shape of a triangle that has a much higher chance of surviving.

For example when the last earthquake hit in San Francisco there were several car on a double decker freeway that collapsed crushing the cars and the people inside. Had the people gotten out of the cars and laid on the ground next to the cars that were crushed there was space in which they could have survived.

Another important clue to survival is to seek a triangle of life as close as possible to an outside wall. Thus if you are trapped it is easer to get to you for emergency crews. You are also easer to find and locate for search and rescue unites (dogs).

The Traveler

Does one really want to survive disasters? It is really harder on survivors than those who die.

[Cal]

Originally posted by TheProudDuck@Jan 21 2005, 12:14 PM

Trav,

I've heard that there's some controversy about whether the "triangle of life" approach is superior to the "duck and cover" approach.

I would think that in a monster earthquake that has the possibility to knock a building down, the triangle approach would work best; getting under an ordinary table probably won't do you much good if the building pancakes.

On the other hand, it can take a few moments to find and get under a proper triangle, and in a minor earthquake, you're more likely to be injured by falling objects or breaking glass. (In my particular case -- an earthquake directly under my eleventh-grade Spanish class -- I got bonked by a wooden plaque falling from the top of the chalkboard before I could do anything at all.)

As for CPR, I would add that when the paramedics finally do arrive with the defibrillator paddles, and if you're the guy working the ventilator, you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear." Those shocks do not feel good at all.

you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear."  Those shocks do not feel good at all.

It sounds like you speak from experience! Ouch!

[Cal]

Originally posted by TheProudDuck@Jan 21 2005, 05:56 PM

I don't know my amps from a hole in the ground, which is why it's probably a good idea for me to steer clear of fiddling with electrical stuff generally.

I do notice the difference between 110 and 220. (Aren't those the actual US/European voltages, or is it really 120/240?) I was putting up Christmas lights once and, having unplugged the cord, was unscrewing a broken bulb with my fingers when my little sister thought it would be fun to plug the lights in again. The jolt really wasn't that bad, except that I was standing on a ladder, and the shock startled me enough that I fell off.

The 220 volt European voltage is another story. On my mission, I had an electric travel shaver that could handle either voltage, but of course needed an attachment to fit the plug into the round European-style wall socket. The attachment consisted of a piece of plastic with round plugs on one side becoming two metal clamps on the other, into which clamps the American flat plug would fit. The clamps were covered by a plastic casing.

One day, I tried to unplug the attachment and the attachment came apart, with the casing coming away in my hand and the metal clamps being exposed. Idiot me, I naturally just reached out to pull the plug out of the socket by grabbing the metal clamps. Just as my fingers were closing around the clamps, I really did hear some inner voice screaming in horrified disbelief that I was about to do something so dumb. I spasmed so hard I bounced off the opposite wall of my apartment eight feet away (these were not spacious accommodations!) and yelled an unmissionary-like word or three. I got two nice little burns on my thumb and forefinger, and my companion just about died laughing after he saw I wasn't dead, but before I'd stopped smoldering.

Then the next week he shocked himself trying to replace a blown fuse, so I got to laugh. It really is amazing the casualty rate among missionaries isn't higher.

For whatever it is worth, voltage is a measure of the energy of the individual electrons, amps is a measure of the number of electrons being pushed. Both factors are important, but when the number of electrons is low, it doesn't really matter how much energy they have, not much damage is done. For example, when you rub your feet on the carpet and touch a grounded object, that little spark probably has 10,000 volts or higher, but since so few electronsare involved its like getting hit with a tiny water droplet going 100 mph--not much damage.

[Guest TheProudDuck]

Originally posted by Cal+Jan 22 2005, 09:43 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cal @ Jan 22 2005, 09:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--TheProudDuck@Jan 21 2005, 05:56 PM

I don't know my amps from a hole in the ground, which is why it's probably a good idea for me to steer clear of fiddling with electrical stuff generally. 

I do notice the difference between 110 and 220.  (Aren't those the actual US/European voltages, or is it really 120/240?)  I was putting up Christmas lights once and, having unplugged the cord, was unscrewing a broken bulb with my fingers when my little sister thought it would be fun to plug the lights in again.  The jolt really wasn't that bad, except that I was standing on a ladder, and the shock startled me enough that I fell off. 

The 220 volt European voltage is another story.  On my mission, I had an electric travel shaver that could handle either voltage, but of course needed an attachment to fit the plug into the round European-style wall socket.  The attachment consisted of a piece of plastic with round plugs on one side becoming two metal clamps on the other, into which clamps the American flat plug would fit.  The clamps were covered by a plastic casing.

One day, I tried to unplug the attachment and the attachment came apart, with the casing coming away in my hand and the metal clamps being exposed.  Idiot me, I naturally just reached out to pull the plug out of the socket by grabbing the metal clamps.  Just as my fingers were closing around the clamps, I really did hear some inner voice screaming in horrified disbelief that I was about to do something so dumb.  I spasmed so hard I bounced off the opposite wall of my apartment eight feet away (these were not spacious accommodations!) and yelled an unmissionary-like word or three.  I got two nice little burns on my thumb and forefinger, and my companion just about died laughing after he saw I wasn't dead, but before I'd stopped smoldering. 

Then the next week he shocked himself trying to replace a blown fuse, so I got to laugh.  It really is amazing the casualty rate among missionaries isn't higher.

For whatever it is worth, voltage is a measure of the energy of the individual electrons, amps is a measure of the number of electrons being pushed. Both factors are important, but when the number of electrons is low, it doesn't really matter how much energy they have, not much damage is done. For example, when you rub your feet on the carpet and touch a grounded object, that little spark probably has 10,000 volts or higher, but since so few electronsare involved its like getting hit with a tiny water droplet going 100 mph--not much damage.

OK, that's simple enough. I'll have to remember that.

[Guest TheProudDuck]

Originally posted by Cal+Jan 22 2005, 09:33 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cal @ Jan 22 2005, 09:33 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--TheProudDuck@Jan 21 2005, 12:14 PM

Trav,

I've heard that there's some controversy about whether the "triangle of life" approach is superior to the "duck and cover" approach.

I would think that in a monster earthquake that has the possibility to knock a building down, the triangle approach would work best; getting under an ordinary table probably won't do you much good if the building pancakes. 

On the other hand, it can take a few moments to find and get under a proper triangle, and in a minor earthquake, you're more likely to be injured by falling objects or breaking glass.  (In my particular case -- an earthquake directly under my eleventh-grade Spanish class -- I got bonked by a wooden plaque falling from the top of the chalkboard before I could do anything at all.)

As for CPR, I would add that when the paramedics finally do arrive with the defibrillator paddles, and if you're the guy working the ventilator, you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear."  Those shocks do not feel good at all.

you REALLY, REALLY want to let go of the patient when the medic says "clear."  Those shocks do not feel good at all.

It sounds like you speak from experience! Ouch!

Yeah, that was during my lifeguard days when we were trying to rescusitate (I can never spell that %^#$ word right) a guy who had a heart attack on the beach -- unsuccessfully, it unfortunately turned out. I was working the positive-pressure oxygen mask and maintaining the seal with my hand. The medics showed up in a couple of minutes and set up the defibrillator as we continued CPR. The medic said "clear" and I said "huh?" Not the right response. It probably didn't help that I was knelling on wet sand.

[john doe]

Does one really want to survive disasters? It is really harder on survivors than those who die. 

You're kidding, right? Do you really believe it would be better to die in a disaster than to live through one?