Due to the holiday, and vacation next weekend, my post this weekend is going to be "phoned in".
Get ready for new stats and stories on April 21st. (The anticipation is getting to you, isn't it.)
While I am collecting lots of information for future blogs (such as running my fist vehicle, a 1973 Oldsmobile station wagon, to it's last) - and am getting my podcast ready - I am still planning on posting these topics "Reformatting the Hard Drive of your Life!" and "What is a Technical Writer?'
For the holiday, please review the following:
How to recognize a Stroke:
Recently, I have been receiving several emails about "Recognizing Stroke." This last weeks "House" episode started with a woman recognizing her own mini-stroke. Signs that I should just review these things for my own education. Here is what I found:
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the No. 1 cause of adult disability.
The National Stroke Association indicates that 80% of strokes are preventable!
A stroke or "brain attack" occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.
Results from a study funded by The Stroke Association indicate that ambulance paramedics can accurately identify a stroke patient before they arrive in hospital.
The Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) has been developed as a stroke identification instrument. The test assesses 3 neurological signs of stroke:
- facial weakness
- arm weakness
- speech disturbance
FAST has been incorporated as an integral component of ambulance paramedics training module, and is included in the rapid ambulance protocol.
for more information, see the Stroke Association Website
from Strokes to Cardiac Arrest - Do you know you CPR techniques?
I remember CPR training in high-school, but haven't been to any updated training since then.
Recently a study at the University of Arizona shows that stopping chest compressions to give mouth-to-mouth breaths is more harmful than helpful and is not necessary. Follow these instructions to perform the more effective Continuous Chest Compression CPR.
- Direct someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.
- Position the victim on the floor on his or her back. Place one hand on top of the other and place the heel of the bottom hand on the center of the victim's chest. Lock your elbows and begin forceful chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.
- If an AED is available, attach it to the victim and follow the machine's instructions. If no AED is available, perform continuous chest compressions until paramedics arrive. Take turns if you have a partner.
Good information to keep in your back pocket, should emergency arise. Take care of each other out there..
more later...
Chazz
No comments:
Post a Comment