Could You Survive Stranded In A Snow Storm?

Posted on December 17th, 2012 by Roy Shaw

After hearing about a couple getting stranded in a mountain pass off-roading and the driver dying while seeking help, I thought I should talk about key elements around surviving out in the cold.  People are often overcome by the cold simply due to lack of pre-planning, proper equipment and an adequate plan for survival until rescue help arrives.  If you’ve ever wondered what you would do if you were lost, stranded or overcome by the winter elements, be sure to watch this episode of RoyOnRescue.
In the meantime, remember at least these important points:

1.   Let people know where you are going and what route you’ll be taking…then stick to it!
2.   Dress with layers of clothing or have extra clothing available
3.   Bring warming agents like hand and pocket warmers along with extra blankets
4.   Bring extra food that can handle getting cold or even freezing like granola, nuts etc.
5.   Eat snow for hydration
6.   Bring GPS
7.   Bring Flare Gun
8.   Never drive with low gas tank
9.   If the roads are dangerous, maybe stay home or extend your vacation
10. Repeat steps 1 thru 9

Peace,

Roy, RoyOnRescue.com

Tags: core temp, CPR, eating snow, first aid, freezing, hypothermia, lost in mountains, lost in the snow, medical blog, ProCPR, ProFirstAid, Roy Shaw, royonrescue, snow, snow rescue, snow storm survival, stranded in snow, survive blizzard, Vlog

Ankles, Impaled Objects and CPR

Posted on November 21st, 2012 by Roy Shaw

In this episode of RoyOnRescue, I answer two different emailed questions. The first from Michael who asked: “I was taught you remove the object only if it interferes with CPR.” Great question Mike. As a general rule of EMS, we only remove an impaled object if it’s obstructing the airway and preventing the ability to secure an airway. Removing an impaled object will often times “un-plug: the hole that was created by the injury and may cause excessive internal bleeding that can only be controlled in a surgical environment. As a lay rescuer, the Good Samaritan will follow the directions of the 911 dispatcher. In a worse case scenario, hands only CPR can still be performed. If the object is in the chest, try and work around the object as best as possible and provide what care you can without causing more harm. A second question came in just this afternoon from Sara who asks about an “ankle popping out” and what to do if this were to happen while on vacation. It sounds as though Sara may have a chronic problem with her knee or ankle but because of a recent injury is especially concerned that it could happen while on an exciting vacation this Friday. In both cases I hope that the advice I give helps and a little tidbit about the first aid acronym, RICES could be the solution while on vacation. Watch this episode to learn more about what to do in case either of these situations arise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Roy, RoyOnRescue

Tags: ankle injuries, CPR, emailed questions, first aid, Impaled objects and CPR, knee injuries, ProCPR, ProFirstAid, RICES, Roy Shaw, royonrescue

Hurricane Sandy Is In Full Force and Now I Need An Ambulance!

Posted on October 31st, 2012 by Roy Shaw

Okay Rescuers,

When natural or unnatural disasters strike, the chance of getting emergency help to your doorstep fast while the EMS services are exhausted is very slim.  I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about a situation that doesn’t get discussed much.  What effect does a hurricane or natural disaster have on the rest of the community?  We sometimes forget the fact that though the rest of the world is distracted by a storm or other disaster related buzz, people still get sick, heart attacks still happen, car accidents still happen but we don’t often think about from where the next ambulance, fire truck or police car is going to be responding.  This episode of RoyOnRescue addresses this issue and urges people who may be in high risk of needing an ambulance or other EMS service to think proactively and make arrangements before the emergency happens.  Think about moving loved ones with fragile health to temporary locations that may not be effected by the hurricane.  Can the person stay with a relative until the community has recovered?  What is the back up plan if one can be found?  I hope this RoyOnRescue episode get’s everyone thinking and will hopefully help prevent a needless death due to not having the appropriate plans in place.  Stay safe, our prayers are with everyone who has been and is effected by hurricane Sandy and other storms.

Tags: Blog, contingency plans, CPR, crisis, emergencies during disasters, EMS response, first aid, heroes, hospitals, how to rescue, how to stay safe during hurricanes, hurricane, Hurricane Sandy, hurricanes, procpr.org, ProFirstAid.com, rescue, royonrescue, sandy, video

When A Bike Crash Gives More Than A Road Rash!

Posted on October 18th, 2012 by Roy Shaw

Hello Everyone,

It’s been almost three weeks since my last episode was posted!  Just for the record…it’s partly because I’ve filled my Hard Disk and was short by about 4GB of RAM.  Seriously though, after suffering some technical problems I’m back in swing and hope to have several new posts in the next few days.  I’m also working on a new RoyOnRescue format to freshen things up and keep them moving in a direction that you would like to see them go.  In this episode, I cover a topic that was brought to me by a person who saw a road cyclist crash.  They were in bad condition and she wasn’t sure what to do.  I thought I’d take a minute to answer this while I upgrade my hardware on the old MacBook and rest before continuing work on the new style creation for the new upcoming year.  I hope this is helpful.  Keep the questions and comments coming and if you have a story that you’d like to share and get the RoyOnRescue point of view, please email royonrescue@gmail.com.

Thanks and keep on rescuing!

Roy

Tags: bike accidents, bike crash, bike crashes, crash, cycling crashes, first aid, head injury, road rash, royonrescue, royonrescue procpr.org profirstaid.com "first aid" cpr rescue blog "video blog" "how to rescue" heroes

Neighborhood Heroes Making A Difference

Posted on September 10th, 2012 by Roy Shaw

In this RoyOnRescue, we take a look at Stephen St. Bernard, who risked his own life to save another. He caught a young girl after she fell from a third story platform and though he suffered some injuries after the rescue, he saved the little girls life. This is an episode dedicated to the neighborhood heroes that get involved and make a difference. You won’t want to miss the live footage of this heroic event.  Thank you Stephen St. Bernard, for being a true hero.
Some have asked, how does catching a falling child compare to catching a weight at that velocity. A physicist has figured it out and states, “If she weighs 50 pounds, the man and ground must push up with an average of 12 times that force, or 600 pounds.”

Tags: catching falling little girl, Catching Girl During Fall, Child Caught In Mid Air, Child Falls 3 stories, child falls three stories, CPR, first aid, heroes, little girl falls and is caught by man, Man Catches Child, man catches falling child, Man From NYC catches Child, protrainings, ProTrainings.com, rescue, Roy Shaw, Roy W. Shaw, royonrescue, Stephen St. Bernard

Turkey, Road Rage and Trauma Oh My!

Posted on November 25th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

What does Turkey, Trauma, and Road Rage have in common? Black Friday! In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy shows how crazy it can be when waiting in line for that “perfect” gift that one could just die for?

Don’t miss this episode of RoyOnRescue where Roy sheds some light on how to stay safe while getting those Black Friday bargains.

Tags: Black Friday, CPR, fights in line while waiting for black Friday, first aid, how to survive Black Friday, people trampled, ProCPR, procpr.org, ProFirstAid, ProFirstAid.com, road rage, royonrescue, Thanksgiving, trample, trauma

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Posted on September 8th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

Graphic Provided By CDC

In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy talks about the possible dangers of Carbon Monoxide gas in the home and garage and how it can occur, how to recognize it and how to prevent it. With the cold weather on it’s way, you won’t want to miss this good reminder about a possible silent killer that can be prevented.

CDC reminds us of some of the basic ways to prevent this from happening.

How can I prevent CO poisoning from my home appliances?

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don’t have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator’s cooling unit have an expert service it. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you have a defect in the cooling unit. It could also be giving off CO.
• When purchasing gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or Underwriters’ Laboratories.
• Install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

In Depth CO Poisoning Info From the CDC

Tags: carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide poisoning, co, co detectors, CPR, danger, first aid, furnace leaks, gas posioning, ProCPR, ProFirstAid, replacing your co detector, royonrescue, symptoms, treating co poisoning, treatment, venting your furnace, water heater

Does This Cut Need Stitches? No. Well…Maybe?

Posted on May 27th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

In this episode we talk about the subject regarding when a cut may need to have stitches or when it can be simply treated at home. So if this question has perplexed you in the past, you may not want to miss this episode where Roy sheds some light on this sometimes confusing situation.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Roy

Tags: butterfly stitches, cuts, first aid, first aid for cuts, medical super glue, procpr.org, ProFirstAid.com, royonrescue, stitches, when does a cut need stitches

Riding and Push Lawnmower Safety!

Posted on May 18th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

Have you ever been surprised by how fast a child can be in one place and the next time you turn around they are in another?  Have you ever been shocked by how fast an accident can happen?  In this episode, I address lawn mower safety as a result of a terrible tragedy where a 5 year old girl was hit and then run over by a riding lawn mower. It is unknown as to the exact details leading up to this horrific accident or what the abnormal conditions may have been that caused this to happen.  The little girl was pronounced dead on scene. There was nothing related to first aid that would have helped her but I have to think that being more sensitive to prevention may be able to save future lives.   I pray for a miraculous Grace and healing to be given to the surviving family members of this little girl and I hope to remind us all of some ways to ensure this doesn’t happen.

May God bless and heal this family.

Roy, RoyOnRescue.com

Link To News Story:

RoyOnRescue.com

Tags: backing accidents, CPR, death by lawn, dies, first aid, girl 5, Lawn mower, lawn mower accident, lawn mower death, lawnmower accident, mower, ProCPR, procpr.org, ProFirstAid, ProFirstAid.com, push mower accident, riding lawn mower accident, royonrescue, royonrescue.com, struck by lawn mower

Vomiting, Diarrhea And Dehydration, Oh My!

Posted on April 22nd, 2011 by Roy Shaw

Some time ago, I received an emailed question asking if I could do an episode on Food Poisoning. 3 days ago, my little girl, 7, came down with symptoms that were really similar to that of Food Poisoning. After doing my own research and then calling the doctor, I thought it would be a great time to address this somewhat common and sometimes dangerous problem. Some of the suggestions given, are those that the Pediatrician gave me after my daughter had been unable to keep even a sip of water down for over 36 hours! She was pale, dry and if I’m not mistaken, it seemed like her eye sockets were indeed a bit sunken. She’s feeling better now going into hour 49 and is now holding down water, Gatorade, and a BRATY( Bread, Rice, AppleSauce, Toast, Yogurt)diet. I hope this helps anyone else who has been suffering with the flu or food poisoning. Remember, the leading reason people die from vomiting and diarrhea is due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and organ failure. Don’t wait until the last minute to get advanced medical attention and if it seems like the person is becoming dehydrated, get help right away. Oh, and if you’re weak or dizzy, don’t try to drive yourself in to the hospital…that’s what 911 is for!

Best Wishes and God bless you as we enter into this most Holy season of Easter,

Roy Shaw, RoyOnRescue.com

Tags: can't keep water down, dehydration, diarrhea, first aid, flu, fluid replacement, food poisoning, gatorade for dehydration, pedialyte, procpr.org, ProFirstAid.com, royonrescue, skin tenting, vomiting