Safe Places

The world we live in is crazy and at a moments notice, it could all change. The truth is, no matter where you live, we are all susceptible to natural disasters, diseases, and financial downturns. Because we all have these vulnerabilities, we should each establish a safe place both within our house and a distance away from our home. In every emergency plan a safe place is outlined where those involved should go to seek refuge. In earthquakes we flock to doorways, under tables, or outside. In fires go to the neighbors house, just across the street, or the big tree by the light post. If a tornado or earthquake hit do you know where you would go? What about in the event that there is civil unrest or something worse? Would you hunker down or hit the road? These are serious questions we all need to ask ourselves. If you lived in Ferguson, MO what would you have done?

For the most part, emergencies happen in our homes. Weathering storms and other natural disasters, losing a job, and most other situations requiring preparedness will happen at home, or they it will happen somewhere that you have your vehicle close by. This is why it is important to create a safe place in your home and have a bug out kit in your vehicle. Ideally pick out a room in your house that is a central room with no windows. Basements are great, but if you don't have one, you can improvise. If you don't have a spare room that you can store things in, consider making a closet a storage area and have everything in it easy to move to a bathroom or another safe location. Make this space like a room size safe. Keep important documents there. Another good spot for important documents is in the freezer. They will generally be protected from fire in the freezer and you are less likely to lose them. Keep a gun and ammo in this room, along with your 72 hr. kit, food, water, first aid kit, and you may even want to consider making a box that is EMP proof and store some electronics in it like old phones, an external hardrive, hand crank cell phone chargers and flashlights, a ham radio, and the list goes on! Bottom line, make this room your safe room where if the rest of your house got wiped out, you would have everything you need in this one place. I'm not saying put it all in one place, because it's a good idea to have more than one of many of these things, but have at least one of everything in a central location.

I suggest making a grab and go kit as well. Go to a thrift store or garage sale and find some old luggage with wheels on it that you can store a food grab and go and a supply grab and go case. Its a good idea to keep important documents and other survival supplies like a water filter, fire starter kit, knives, something to cook with, rope, compass, first aid kit, gun, extra cash, and whatever else you deem necessary in your grab and go case. You should be able to fit at least a good week's worth of food in a case. Then you should have a 3rd case with clothing for all seasons but especially make sure you have winter clothing. The farmer's almanac this year is predicting a colder than normal winter for most of the U.S. and we all saw the chilling effects of the polar vortex last year. Be prepared! You never know when you might have to bug out.

Since the possibility of bugging out exists, where would you go? How would you get there? If that route was compromised do you have an alternate, or an alternate safe place? These are all questions we need to ask ourselves. Mom's house might sound like a great idea if she lives in a big city, you live in the country, and an ice storm is headed your way, but if there was a huge disaster and all the inner city folks are looking for food, being in town is not a good idea. What if you had to go out of state? The truth is that there are a million and one possibilities of what could happen. Plan on a couple of options and evaluate them. Ask every question you can think of and categorize each place so that when disaster strikes, you have a plan and you know where you are going to go and how to get there.

Pandemic Prep

So I know there is a lot of fear out there about the threat of an Ebola pandemic. I'm not so sure that Ebola will be the world wide pandemic that wipes out a third of the population but I could easily see a mix of diseases combined to change the world as we know it. The fact is that parts of the world have evolved to a point where certain diseases have a difficult time spreading thanks to hygiene, technology, and immunizations. On the other hand, other parts of the world make it very easy to spread. Take Ebola for example, it thrives in Africa, and heaven forbid it ever hits India, but here in the majority of the United States, I don't think it would spread too easily. I do think that it is stupid that they are taking Ebola patients out of Africa in search of better treatment. I think the risk is too great, I don't care what hospital they go to. Just look into hospital acquired infections and you know this is a bad idea. But, with the traveling capabilities we have in the world, it's only a matter of time before something gets spread to an area that is not prepared for it.

Flickr photo by U.S. Pacific Command

The question is, how do we prepare for a pandemic, that could be anything, and not live in fear. Well, the best way is to be generally prepared for the most common types of diseases. The good news is that protection for most diseases is the same. Personal protective equipment (PPE), as we call it in the hospital, generally consists of gloves, masks, and a gown. The combination will protect you from almost any communicable disease. The only thing I can think of that you wouldn't be protected against would be rabies or in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse, human bites. However it is important to remember that not all masks and gowns are created equal. Here  is a link to a good mask that protects against airborne diseases. Here is a link to impervious isolation gowns.  And check out these gloves that will protect your hands from anything, they also come in black if you want a cooler color.

Now is the time to develop good habits. We have an obsession with touching our faces. Start being conscious about where you put your hands. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Put masks, gowns, and gloves in your car as part of your car's first aid kit. Remember to wash your hands and be careful when others around you are coughing or look sick. This is just good practice even for common colds and the flu. It is good to point out that the flu kills thousands of people each year so don't take it lightly. So be careful out there, you never know what someone may have.

Got It? Now "Get It"

In my last post I talked about how not to "get it and forget it." I'd like to expound on that thought for a minute to include the other areas of preparation. I ask, what good is acquiring ANYTHING if you don't know how to use it? Behold, I say unto you, there is no good. Leaving behind the physical we look at the other areas and things included therein.

Financial
In becoming financially prepared you tend to gather things like savings and retirement accounts, cash in a can, stocks, bonds, etc. Simply having these is not enough! You need to know the rules and how-to's of using them, and you need to have thought out a plan for when you would need to use them: what scenarios would call for it and, for example, when a complete withdrawal of funds would be appropriate.

Spiritual
Anybody can go to church, get baptized, and do the same thing every Sunday. There's much more than this to using and knowing your religion. If you're a Christian it's very important to remember that we are to obey ALL of the Lord's commandments, and there are quite a few! Study the Scriptures, learn what is asked of you (and more importantly, what has been done for you), and apply that knowledge. Make your religion something you ARE, not just something you do. This will make your soul prepared for the even the worst of times, for when you truly understand your faith you will find that the toils and strife of this world are merely for your growth and character, and will seem insignificant when you look back on it all in the next life (or even this one). One phrase I heard summed it up for me, "First, make covenants. Then, make swords."
Also, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

Medical
Having first-aid kits is great and all, but do you really know how to use one properly? Even the smallest kits cover a dozen or more minor medical problems. Do you know which ones and how to identify them? Are you prepared in your mind to not freak out if you witness major trauma (or, for some, just a drop or two of blood), but rather have the ability and willingness to jump in and save life and limb? One great way to study first aid is the Boy Scout Handbook. It covers many basic emergencies and their treatments in good detail. It is, after all, intended to be understood by teenagers! If you want more advanced knowledge there are first aid courses taught by (I believe) the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

Remember, knowledge is power. Without it, you are obviously powerless, and that's the exact opposite of what we want you to be. Keep sharp, stay calm, and God be with you!

Live in the Now

Preparedness is a touchy subject and there are a lot of people who get freaked out by the 'Prepper' stigma. While I do believe in being prepared, I don't think I fit in totally with the Prepper crowd. I believe that we can all look forward to the future and that there are many exciting things that will happen probably sooner rather than later. Some might say the word 'exciting' is not the right choice, but if you see things through my eyes, there are a lot of things to be excited for. On the other hand, many people look to the past and dwell on the things that have happened that have led us to where we are. They are quick to blame others or themselves for the things going on in their life. Both of these options leave us wasting our lives worrying about things we have little or no control over. There is no point in dwelling on the past because you can't change it. Learn from it and move on! Don't let it bring you down! Today is a new day, enjoy it! Also, don't dwell on the future. The list of hypothetical situations goes on and on and could easily put anyone in the psych ward if all they did was think about what might happen. Don't get caught in this trap! Is it important to be prepared, of coarse it is, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this blog, but it is more important not to live in fear.

The only choices we really have any effect over are the ones we make today. This is what is meant by living in the Now. What are you doing right now? Is it building or tearing down your faith? Are you working towards something, or are you wasting time. Each day is a gift that we only get to have once! How will you look back on the time you have been given? Are you making the most out of the time you have with your loved ones or will you look back and see all the situations with your family and you were sitting there on your smart phone or watching a movie? As an ER nurse I have seen too many  people have their life cut shorter than they expected. Their families have one of two reactions. The first and most common is sadness and regret for things not done or said, and the second is one of acceptance and gratefulness for the joy they shared.

Regardless of the circumstances of your life, everything boils down to right now! Enjoy the moment and be with the ones you are with. Be present in mind and body, your family will love you more for it. Don't get caught up in all this noise that really doesn't matter. Find joy in every moment because that is why God created us, to have joy! One of my favorite quotes is,
 "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you but I'd like today worth remembering." -Herold Hill
So go and make some memories!

The Importance of Physical Fitness

So, last week I decided to go mountain biking for the first time. My friends who invited me told me that I should have no problem going and that it would be lots of fun. I thought, sure, as long as I don't die, this could be a lot of fun and definitely a new adventure. I've been bike riding before. My brother and I used to go riding in Missouri on some hilly but paved trails. I was a boy scout and earned the cycling merit badge and as a boy scout leader I had been on trips with the scouts. On top of my past experience, I play soccer every week so I figured sure, I can do this. Well let me tell you, we weren't even a mile into the ride and I was dying! I'm thinking, "Oh my gosh, how on earth am I going to make it to the top." So I stopped for a breather and then continued on. I did eventually make it to the top but I was like 20 minutes behind everyone else. Coming down was the easy part, it's just have a seat and hold on for dear life. 

The whole time I was thinking about how on earth do I expect to be able to survive in whatever situation I may be in if I can't do this. I forced through and it was fun but wow, new respect for mountain bikers. I also got to thinking about all the action movies I love to watch. All of these guys end up in situations where they end up saving the world, but are any of them fat? NO! I mean, I know its Hollywood but still think about if it were reality, do you think the people who stand out and save the day are the ones who are unhealthy? About the only situation I can think of where it would be a good thing is that you have an extra calorie reserve to live off of if there were no food.

Living healthy is freedom! I'm glad that I was healthy enough to make it to the top and bike down without collapsing and having a heart attack. It allowed me to experience something new and to enjoy some beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains. Being healthy can allow you to do whatever you want to do without restricting your activities due to your physical abilities. It is very liberating to know that if you want to go hike a mountain, bike some trails, run a 5k, etc. you can! The things you see and do will be more than worth the effort it takes to get there.

Now, I'm not saying that we all need to get out there and become Mr. Fit. I'm just saying that the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle will allow you the ability to do anything you want or to help you endure anything that comes your way. Think of all the medical liability that comes with living off of McDonald's! Now I love me some fries, but do I need to eat them every day, NO! All things in moderation! And don't let becoming fit run your life. You need to stop and smell the roses too. I've done a few different programs over the years like Insanity, P90X 3, and T-25. While these have their benefits and definitely work, they take time and dedication. I also do some running and that's fun but most of all I love to play sports. That is my favorite way to exercise. The results come when you mix the exercise with healthy eating. Does that mean don't eat cake? No, I've got a nice sweet tooth and sometimes it gets the better of me but don't eat them every day. All things in moderation! The other thing that is needed is consistency. Regular physical activity will lead to a healthier life.

Today is the day to get started. Just start by making 1 healthier eating choice today. Cut out the sour cream, try italian instead of ranch dressing, or add a small salad or something green to a meal. Then go for a nice walk around the block and enjoy the beautiful weather. You will go to bed with a smile on your face for having made better choices today. Then keep it up tomorrow! I promise you, you will feel a difference.

Medicine for Mommies: Infants 0-3 Months

Flickr photo by Victoria Johnson 

Let me just start off by giving a disclaimer. If you feel like your child needs to go to the ER, then do it! Mother's intuition is more valuable than anything! Also, this is intended as advice, each child is different and each body reacts differently to different methods of treatment. I will not be responsible for anything that happens due to lack of proper treatment.

That being said, I am an ER nurse and I see a lot of parents that bring their children in when they don't need to. The awesome thing about children is that they are resilient. Infants under 3 months old are especially resilient in that it is very difficult for them to get serious infections or illnesses. This is especially true for breastfed infants. I'm a huge fan of breastfeeding especially during the first couple of weeks because that is when all of the mother's antibodies are given to the baby. This helps them to be immune to most infections. For first time parents, keeping your child safe is generally no problem. During those first few months you are especially protective of your child and barely take them out in public. The last place you should want to take them to is an Emergency Room, which is why you should avoid it at all costs. If you are concerned about your baby, call your pediatrician! They can usually work you into their schedule. If it's because you don't have insurance, you probably qualify for medicaid and there are always pediatricians accepting medicaid. ER's are loaded with germs. We do the best that we can to not spread infection, but when you have to sit in a waiting room with 30 other sick people, the chances are pretty good that you will be exposed to something you don't want.

So, what are some reasons why you would think your baby needs to go to the ER. The most common is for throwing up and diarrhea. For you first time parents, vomiting and diarrhea are a fact of life for infants. You try drinking nothing but milk and see what ends up coming out of you! But seriously, babies spit up all the time and their poop is runny. What you would want to worry about is if the child is projectile vomiting and unable to keep anything down. And when I say projectile, I mean explosive, we are talking that stuff is flying through the air, not just bubbling up out of their mouth. The main reason we worry about vomiting and diarrhea is because that causes dehydration. Some signs to look for in your infant of dehydration are no wet diapers and sunken fontanels (that soft spot on their head). I had a second time mom bring in her baby because the child had only had 4 wet diapers that day with no vomiting or diarrhea and she thought her baby was dehydrated. THIS IS NOT DEHYDRATION! Infants also fluctuate in how much they eat so just because they ate less for a day does not mean that they aren't eating. Be patient and see what happens the next day.

The next most common reason is for fevers. A fever is considered 100.4 F or greater. 97-100.3 can all be normal variants. Some important things to consider are the weather. If you have your infant in 2 layers and a blanket and it's summer, of coarse their temperature will be elevated. Dress them appropriately! Also the most accurate on an infant is a rectal temperature because their body hasn't quite got the temperature regulation thing down yet. So don't go off of feel, check a temp! Be prepared though, because if you bring your infant into the ER and they have a temperature greater than 100.3 they are probably going to get a septic work up done meaning blood work and even a spinal tap because they could have meningitis.

Flickr photo by Naval Surface Warriors

Lastly, coughs and runny noses tend to freak parents out. Occasional coughs and runny noses are normal. What you want to look out for is constant coughs or croup like coughs. You can probably find examples of croup on you tube. Most likely, your infant doesn't have it. If you notice that their nostrils are flaring and they are using accessory muscles like their ribs to breath, then you need to be doing something about it.

Also, if you want to avoid chances of infections, keep other people out of the babies face. People you especially need to watch out for are those random people at Walmart who think because you have a baby they have the right to tickle it and get in it's face and make goo goo faces to it, and you need to watch out for children. They don't tend to wash their hands and are exposed to lots of other stuff through normal interaction at school which is why they spread infection easier.