Celebrate the First National CPR/AED Awareness Week, June 1-7

In December 2007, Congress declared the first week of June each year as National CPR/AED Awareness Week. June 1-7, 2008 will mark the first National CPR and AED Awareness Week with the goal of encourage states, cities and towns to establish organized programs that provide CPR and AED trainings and increase public access to AEDs.

Doing CPR isn't difficult. It is the one thing that anyone (including older children) can do and possibly save someones life. Witnessed cardiac arrests happen every day in the U.S. If CPR is started immediately and/or an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) are used, the chances of survival increase dramatically. Having performed CPR myself on more than a few people over the years, I can tell you that 5% is better than 0%. At least they have a chance.

So, take time this week to find a CPR class in your area, and take it. I have embedded a video below that teaches "Hands-Only" CPR, but you really need to take a class to get the "feel" of it, so-to-speak, and to gain the confidence to be able to provide someone the necessary circulation with your hands until their heart restarts, or it is helped to start through defibrillation. The CPR class will teach you additonal information.



Remember, ANYONE can have a sudden cardiac arrest, anywhere. And you may be the difference between life and death for that person.

Road Rage

Yesterday, while I on my way to pick up more EMS supplies, I saw first-hand what road rage can be like. We all hear about it, but to be in the middle of it... that's another thing.

I was getting on Business 80 here in Sacramento, to then merge almost immediately onto US 50 on my way to Rancho Cordova. No biggee. I travel this route all the time. As I am getting on the on-ramp, a maroon Dodge Ram pickup truck pulls a U-turn from a one-way street (She had been going the WRONG WAY), right behind me. She pulls up extremely close to my bumper. Traffic was slow-go, and I found myself braking every 10 feet or so. Each time I brake, she pulls right up to my bumper. She hit her horn. Yeah, that's gonna make a difference.

At one point, I got tired of this, and pulled forward and then "Brake Tested" her. She literally pulled within an inch or two of my bumper and began the angry hand motions, and hitting her horn again. So, realizing I have something at my disposal most don't, I hit the rear flashers on my lightstick. Nice BRIGHT amber lights. She backed off a bit. So I shut them off.

As I was almost at the merge to eastbound US, she pulls suddenly to my right IN THE SHOULDER of the freeway! She pulled up right in line with me, and begins to THROW STUFF AT MY CAR! Near as I can figure, I got her Pepsi, her morning donut remains, and cigarettes. Nice... She is also yelling out her window, but I am not about to roll mine down to hear what she is saying. I got on the phone to the CHP, and let them know about this very angry, very DANGEROUS person. I gave them the description of the vehicle, and the driver, and I made them aware that she seemed either having an anger management issue, or she was under the influence. After all, she got on the on-ramp by driving the wrong way on a one-way street initially. I pulled into the next lane to my left, and got onto US 50. She was stuck where she was, and forced onto westbound US 50. Thankfully.

This whole incident sure got my adrenaline flowing! I hope they stopped her before she caused an accident... and/or killed someone.

Close Call #2

Today, I was in downtown Sacramento in my Jeep, waiting for a bike ride to start that we were providing EMS for gratis. It was extremely windy. I was at 6th & L, when suddenly I heard a "CRACK!"... The next thing I knew, a LARGE branch had come down inches from my Jeep. I was amazed how close it was to me. I will post the picture of that branch later. Whew!

May I introduce...

David and Candace Roberts!

Yes, my son is now married. Candace is an incredible welcome asset to our family. She has already been my second daughter for years now, but their making it legal makes it just that more a joy! Their ceremony was beautiful. My brother Steve was also married in this joint ceremony, to a wonderful woman named Debra.

Welcome to the family, Candace! May you and David have a long life together. You truly are soulmates. And a welcome to Debra as well!

Close Call

My EMS partner had a VERY close brush with serious injury or death yesterday. While using our ATV on a mountain bike race race course, he and the other EMT he was working with that day had a brake failure, and they were tossed off the ATV when they attempted to stop by downshifting. Unfortunately, since they were on a hill (and headed down), after they were tossed off, the ATV rolled over them. Steve took the brunt of the rollover on his hip. There were concerns by all of us that he might have a pelvic fracture, but an E.R. evaluation complete with x-rays showed no fractures... thankfully. He will need time for the very deep bruising to heal, but he will be ok.

Those of us in EMS are fully aware of the injuries that can occur with ATV use. We treat people for injuries sustained on them, usually due to excessive speed and maneuvers that should not be attempted on them. Although we are very careful with our rescue vehicles, things can happen.

Of course, we are going to investigate the cause of the brake failure fully before the unit is back in operation. Besides, it needs a little surgery itself, due to the damage it sustained. I am still so thankful that neither of them were seriously injured. They were truly being watched over yesterday.