AIRPLANE SAFETY

People board airplanes every day and hand their lives over to the pilot. Although planes are safe, there is still a chance of you going down.

PREFLIGHT PREPARATION

Ladies, I know you want to look good wherever you go, but an airplane isn’t a fashion show. What is going to be the best things to wear and have if something goes wrong? This applies to all you men out there too:

• Wear long sleeves and long pants made of material that isn’t as flammable as others. For example, wear cotton, cotton-polyester blends, or rayon. I know, I know, what if you’re flying in the blistering heat? Too bad. These will serve as a protective layer over your skin against fire.
• Do yourself a favor and be smart with your shoes. Absolutely no high heels, open toed shoes, or sandals. Broken debris, glass, fire, liquid, and wreckage do not go well with them.
• In case of smoke, keep a cloth or handkerchief to cover your mouth.  This may buy you the few seconds you need.

Where do you want to sit? NEAR AN EMERGENCY EXIT. Statistics show your survival rate will be higher.  Don’t think of comfort, think of safety.

Who do you want to travel with? Gather information and research your airlines before you book your flight. Look at the safety ratings, look how often they have been in crashes, and check mechanical data. The Federal Aviation Administration keeps reports for all aircraft; it wouldn’t hurt to read them.

Your situational awareness should be high, here’s what you should be aware of:

• Condition of the plane
• Condition of pilots and flight crew
• Your fellow passengers (does anyone look out of place?)
• Where are you closest escape routes? Repeat them to yourself

IMPACT: BRACE YOURSELF:

All you can do is be alert, and keep your seat belt on. If you know the plane is going down, brace yourself. There are two ways to brace yourself:

1. Bend and tuck: put your chest to your thighs, your head between your knees, and either place your hands behind your neck or grab the opposite ankle.
2. Cross arm: grab the seat in front of you with one hand and cross the other hand over, and place your head in the triangle that you have created with your arms.

POST IMPACT

So, you have survived the impact, but you are not finished yet. Timing is everything. You never know what is going to happen in this situation and you’ve got to be prepared. You have to find the best exit, and try to cover your mouth from smoke or fumes.  Your closest exit may not be your best, you have to view which one is going to be the most safe with the little time you have. Be sure to be nice when you reach the exit: DO NOT SHOVE OTHERS OUT OF THE WAY. If there is a person who is stuck in the denial stage, give them the nice little nudge they need. Do not let their frozen moment be a reason why you did not get safe. Get down the slide and go!

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE OUT

Get away from the plane. Get as much distance as possible. If you’re in the middle of nowhere, try to keep a fire going.

Remember, SAFETY FIRST!!

Courtley, C. (2012). SEAL survival guide: A Navy SEAL’s secrets to surviving any disaster. New York: Gallery Books.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A WEAPON? IMPROVISE

Let’s think about our improvised weapons here. You can make it from almost anything your imagination lets you, but you have to be committed to using it. Just remember, pick something that will help you not get killed. For example, when walking alone and you have keys, put them between your fingers. They’re now a weapon.

You can get your weapons from a variety of things, let’s start with what’s on you.

CLOTHING

• Belts – wrap it around your first and swing
• Coats – great defense against sharp objects
• High heels – yes, ladies, heels are fabulous, but they can be a weapon too. Use it as a hammer, you could be lethal in a defense situation.
• Socks – fill it with coins, soda, anything solid. Swing!

 

TOILETRIES

• Aerosol cans, imagine having hairspray in your eye (ouch)
• Nail file
• Razor
• Foot powder, use it like aerosol

OFFICE SUPPLIES

• Laptop – use as shield or a shot to the throat
• Stapler – tool for striking, smashed upward against the nose, anything really.
• Scissors – think this one is pretty obvious
• Ruler – slashing
• Power cords, cables, etc. – good for whipping, strangling, etc.
• And finally, you can throw anything that you find at them.

ON A PLANE

• Book – use it like a laptop and hit them in the throat!
• Magazine – roll it up, and it is going to hurt if you use it in a stabbing motion to the throat
• Ball-point pen – similar to a sword if you stab a lot
• Vodka – not only is it good for drinking, but good for making eyes BURN
• Blanket – throw it over an attacker’s face to blind them, and possibly smother

KITCHEN

• Knives (ouch)
• Forks (ouch)
• Spoons (ouch)
• Rolling pin (ouch)
• Pots (ouch)
• Pans (ouch)
• Lids (ouch, again)
• Corkscrew – like keys, put it between your knuckles
• Fire extinguisher – throw it at the assailant’s legs, or spray it at them!

GARAGE

• Basically, anything from a toolbox will do you good
• Sports equipment, this can double as both a weapon and protection!
• Lumber
• Plumbing supplies
• Chainsaw

No matter where you are, you’re going to find a weapon, and it is going to be helpful as hell. As Cade Courtley says “If you can throw it, thrust it, block with it, spray it, crush with it . . . do it.”

NOW YOU’VE GOT YOUR GO BAG, WHAT ABOUT FIREARMS?

Alrighty, you’ve got your go bag ready to go, but now we’re talking FIREARMS! But remember, SAFETY FIRST when dealing with firearms. Let’s take a look at another list. If you are bringing along a firearm, you must:

• KNOW HOW TO USE IT! Take a course with an expert, and practice, practice, practice! Do this at a shooting range. Look to the International Practical Shooting Confederation for lists of places to practice with an expert.
• Safety storage: know where to put, ESPECIALLY if there is children in your home. Also make sure there are trigger locks on rifles and shotguns.
• And I know this sounds a little forward, but don’t be afraid to use it. Don’t be afraid to use it to take a life, as the survival guide states “You don’t want to be the guy killed by his own gun.”

What kind of weapon is the best for you?

Have you gone over the list above? This means you should answer the question, “What kind of weapon is best for you?”

• Home defense? Get a pump shotgun, easy to use and easy to hit things with.
• Handguns are good, but they require skill. You also have to understand that the bullet can travel much farther than one from a shotgun.
• Automatic assault rifle? Not your best idea in a residential area, my friend.

Finally, let’s talk about my favorite topic, SAFETY!!!! Specifically, basic firearm operation and safety! Although many firearms are different, there are some very basic rules that apply to any firearm:

1. Always, always, always assume the firearm is loaded.
2. NEVER point the firearm at something you don’t mean to kill.
3. Keep the safety on until the moment you are firing. You should be able to turn the safety on and off blindfolded.
4. Only have the finger on the trigger when you are going to fire.
5. Take a firearm safety course. Everyone in your family: TAKE A FIREARM SAFETY COURSE! I cannot stress how serious this is. Whoever is going to be near the gun, TAKE A SAFETY COURSE.
6. PRACTICE! Practice as much as you can!

My last thing I have to say to you all is to remember to be safe when handling a firearm. There are so many accidents that occur when people are not careful and lives are taken due to carelessness. Please remember to always think before you act, and that firearms are not a joke.

SEAL SURVIVAL GUIDE: What Gear Should You Have?

You never know when you are going to find yourself in a sticky situation. It is important that in case of emergency or disaster, you have the right equipment for no matter what you are going to face! But, it is also important to keep whatever you have on your back full of essentials only, and things that will help you when it comes down to life or death. This collection of “survival goodies” is called a go bag. Remember, this should be something you can quickly grab and GO!!

When making your go bag for you and your family, and yes, each member of your family will need one, remember these, which are an essential for any to go bag for your home and for your car:

• Kept in a small plastic bag, have your passport, license, list of emergency contacts you may need, and any necessary medications
• Multitool (pliers, knife, file, etc.) 
• Compass
• Marker pen and waterproof notebook
• Flashlight, with EXTRA batteries!!!!
• Headlamp
• Glow Sticks (red and green)
• Lighter, matches (WATER PROOF), magnesium fire starter, and cotton balls
• Candles
• Whistle
• Bottled water and protein bars
• Water purification tablets and filter
• Light windbreaker (make sure its water resistant) and a visor to protect from the sun
• Emergency blanket
• First aid kit
• Trash bag
• Hand sanitizer
• Zip ties
• Paracord (20 Ft)
• Tape
• Socks (always important to keep those feet warm and dry!)
• Eye drops
• Cash, but don’t go carrying around a $100 bill, keep the bills small
• 3 days worth of any medication

Now, listed above was your basic survival kit (I know, seems like a lot more than basic), but there are some additional items you can add to your Go Bag to take it up a notch:

• Up your water supply, adding gallons
• Freeze dried, add-water food and military MREs, which are meals ready to eat
• Gore-tex coat and pants
• Small sleeping bag
• Ponchos
• Sock hat and gloves (try wool, it is still warm when it’s wet!)
• Radio (hand powered)
• Extra flashlight
• Fishing kit
• Snare wire
• Extra cell phone with EXTRA batteries
• Large fixed blade knife
• Expanded first aid kit
• Monocular
• GPS
• Lock pick kit
• Bear spray (I know what you’re thinking, BEAR SPRAY? It’s kind of like an extra strength pepper spray)
• A shovel (make sure it’s a folded one)
• Insect head net
• Seawater desalination kit
• Flares
• Change of clothes (think about the climate you could possibly be in)
• Firearm
• And finally, your very own copy of Cade Courtley’s SEAL Survival Guide! I can guarantee it’ll help in any survival situation!

You can get your own go bag at http://www.SEALsurvival.com

EVEN MORE SEAL SURVIVAL GUIDE SURVIVAL MEDICINE

This is my final post on the SEAL Survival Guide’s Part Four: Survival Medicine! There was so much to talk about I couldn’t fit it into one blog post!

SHOCK

Shock is when the circulatory system fails, and it results in an insufficient flow of oxygen to the vital organs. Shock can result in death if not prevented and treated. What is the most common cause of shock? Heart attack. 

What are some warning signs of shock?

• Sweaty but cool clammy skin
• paleness
• nervousness
• thirst
• loss of blood
• confusion
• rapid breathing rate
• blotchy/bluish skin around the mouth
• nausea/vomiting

Now that we know what shock looks like, how do we prevent it or treat it?

• having a person lie on their back and elevate their feet higher than their heart
• loosen clothing
• if in cold climate, warm up body with blankets or body heat
• if in a warm environment, keep them in the shade, but monitor closely
• DO NOT give this person any food or drink
• if unconscious, turn head to the side in case of vomiting
• finally, always remember to remain calm.

CHOKING

Choking is one of the top causes of accidental death. When something is obstructing the airway, it is important to act quickly, because without first aid, brain damage or death by asphyxiation are the end results of choking.

How do we treat someone who is choking?

• Be sure they are actually choking. If they can speak or cough, they may only have a partial blockage. If so, allow them to try to cough it up while you monitor them.
• if you can see the obstruction, remove it with your fingers
• if obstruction is not able to be removed with fingers, perform the Heimlich maneuver.

How does one perform the Heimlich maneuver?

• go behind the person and grab their stomach just above the navel and below the rib cage
• apply pressure by delivering inward and upward thrusts until the blockage is gone

BUT WAIT! What do you do if you are alone and you are choking?!  This is when you find a chair or a similar surface and ram your stomach below the rib cage until you clear the blockage yourself. ACT QUICKLY!

BITES AND STINGS

Bites and stings have potential to be fatal, can cause irritation, cause disease, or make the body go into shock.

Bees and Wasps – although you may just be irritated, some people can be sent to anaphylactic shock.

BUT what to do when you are stung?

• remove stinger
• see if victim carries an epi pen, if so, give it to them immediately (you jam it into their thigh if they can’t do so themselves)
• wash sting site
• apply cold water to help with any discomfort
• use antibiotics depending on type

Spiders and Scorpion Bites

• clean and dress area
• treat for shock, be prepared to have to administer CPR
• if possible, get antivenin
• if necessary, take antibiotics

Snakebites

• keep the victim’s heart rate low by keeping them calm, the less venom throughout the body, the better
• immobilize the part of the body that has been effected
• treat for shock
• drink fluids
• remove all constricting clothing or accessories (ex: jewelry)
• clean the bite
• if necessary, give rescue breathing and CPR
• use a constricting band between bite and heart
• attempt to remove poison (by suction or squeezing)
• if possible, get antivenin

This concludes my portion on survival medicine! What have you learned from reading this? Have you ever been in a situation where this information would have come in handy?

REMEMBER, safety first!

– McKayla

MORE SURVIVAL MEDICINE

The SEAL survival guide offers so much survival medicine that I couldn’t fit it into one post! Here is some more types of injuries and ways to treat and prevent!

HEAT INJURIES

Heat injuries are life threatening and it is important to understand what to do and to get the body as close as possible to its normal temperature, 98.6 degrees. What are the different types of heat injuries?

• Dehydration – this is where there is not enough water. Dehydration can be prevented by drinking water constantly, especially electrolyte-enhanced waters.
• Heat cramps – this is painful cramping in large muscles from sudden loss of salt.
• Heat exhaustion – this is a sudden amount of profuse sweating, along with a pounding headache/tingling sensation, light headed, or vomiting.
• Heat stroke – this is when your body reaches more than 105 degrees, and the entire nervous system could shut down. To help heat stroke, get in the shade, lie down and elevate legs, loosen clothes, take SIPS of fluids, fan a cold mist over the body, and wrap the victim with a water soaked blanket along with ice packs.

COLD INJURIES

Like with heat injuries, we need to get the body back to it’s normal temperature when experiencing cold injuries. What are the different types of cold injuries?

• Hypothermia – Mild (98.6 – 96 degrees), moderate (between 95 and 93 degrees), and severe (below 92 degrees). To treat hypothermia, remove wet clothes, keep moving, eat and drink hot liquids if available, and generate heat from an exterior source. For severe hypothermia, warp the person in as many blankets as possible, heat water and add sugar to it for the victim to drink, have the person urinate, transfer heat person to person, and handle with care.
• Frostbite – this is when body tissue freezes, which can lead to death or necrosis of tissue. There will be a dull pain and a tingling sensation and skin may change color.  To treat this, use external means for warmth, water that is no hotter than 110 degrees for extremities, use warm breaths on the affected area, do not place anything hot on the area, and do not rub the area.

TRENCH FOOT

This is a fungal infection of the feet, usually when boots are constricted and get wet. The food will turn red, to blue, and itch. The skin begins to die, and can lead to gangrene. The best way to prevent this is to air out foot wear and take off wet socks.

BURNS

Burns can be caused by chemicals, heat, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. There are three different types of burns:

• First degree – least serious, only effects outer layer of skin.
• Second degree – this is when the burn has effected the second layer of skin, blisters will develop.
• Third degree – all layers of skin are damaged, it can even reach muscle and bone. These burns appear charred and black.

Short term treatment: run cool water, remove clothing, cover burn with sterile dressing, drink fluids, get ready to treat for shock (if necessary).

Long term treatment: antibiotic creams, possible skin grafts.

 REMEMBER, SAFETY FIRST!

SURVIVAL MEDICINE (PART 1)

“You may survive an initial ordeal, but if you lack the knowledge of how to stop a wound from bleeding or what to do if bitten by a snake . . . you’re done.” – Cade Courtley, SEAL Survival Guide, Part 4: Survival Medicine, pg 307.

Part Four of the SEAL Survival Guide is all about first response and making do with what you have. Today, my followers are going to part 1 of 3 of a crash course in what to do in medical emergency situations. The first two subsections of part 4 are “Step Up and Help!” and “Immediate Priorities for Treating the Injured.”

STEP UP AND HELP!

• Make sure the area around you and the injured person is safe, if not, you must move to a safer area. If moving is necessary, you must be careful when moving the injured in case of spinal cord injury, you do not want to risk the possibility of he or she becoming paralyzed.
• Before you evaluate anyone, EVALUATE YOURSELF FIRST!!
• TRIAGE – this is where you separate the okay from the not-so-okay. With Triage comes 4 categories and they are: 1. injured who need immediate care 2. those who have injuries that can be delayed 3.  those with minor injuries 4. those who are beyond help.

IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR TREATING THE INJURED

On a scene, you have 4 immediate priorities:

1. Restore breathing and heartbeat if absent.
2. Stop any bleeding.
3. Protect wounds and stabilize fractures or dislocations.
4. Treat for shock

If a person is unconscious, use the ABC’s!

Airway (check if anything is blocking airway).

Breathing (get close and listen for breath).

Circulation (check their pulse).

If necessary, CPR may have to be preformed. You have to do thirty compression pushing down on the victim’s chest, give 2 breaths, and repeat.

How do you stop the bleeding and dress a wound?

There is two types of dressing: field and pressure. Field is directly placed on the the wound, and pressure is wrapped tight to create more pressure.

How do you transport someone who is injured and prevent further injury?

• Two man carry
• improvised pull and haul (using ropes and belts under the armpits)
• makeshift stretcher (use blanket)

Out of all of these survival techniques, have you seen or used any of them first hand?

Remember, safety first! – McKayla

SEAL Survival Guide: Part One

“SEAL Mindset and Survival Psychology”

The SEAL Survival Guide  by Cade Courtley talks about expanding your comfort zone, increasing your toughness (both mentally and physically, and long haul survival. Each one of these topics in part one has a checklist, and I thought to myself, “maybe I can use this checklist myself,” so I decided to answer one question from each checklist and share with you. I encourage my followers to do this as well!

Comfort Zone: life is about expanding your comfort zone. Life can be so much more of an adventure and full of challenges if you challenge yourself. First, you have to start with the little challenges, and eventually you will reach the larger ones and begin to expand your mind. So, the checklist for expanding your comfort zone is:

“Did I challenge myself today?” – I answered this question yes, I took a topic that I do not know much about (gun safety) and expanded my mind and better educated myself on a hot topic in our country.

Increasing Physical and Mental Toughness: Navy SEALs must have great toughness both mentally and physically. Even being a normally citizen, it is good to have both of these in case of disaster. You never know when life will test your body and your mind.

“Did I answer longer or faster today than yesterday?” – Yes. Today I decided to run the extra mile while on my run this morning. I also did twenty more push ups than I normally do. It was not easy for me, but reading the quotes from SEALS inspire me.

Long Haul Survival: situations require different courses of action. You have to stay positive, and remember that survival is the number one goal and you have to achieve that goal as long as it takes. The checklist for long haul survival is different than the others. It consists of:

• Stay busy
• Set clear objectives
• Savor little victories
• Maintain group cohesion
• Assign individual responsibilities
• Worry about others’ needs
• Focus on the mission, the mission, the mission.

Reading through this checklist, I realized how I can use this checklist through every day life, even though I am not a Navy SEAL or fighting for my country. I can use this checklist for simpler challenges, for example, doing a group project.

I hope everyone uses this checklist in any situation that they face. And always remember, safety First!

My Exploration of Safety

Recently I have found a new interest in safety due to taking a class on it. I am learning how important safety truly is to our everyday lives. Most people do not understand how important it is and I hope my posts can help teach people valuable lessons they can use all the time. I think that safety begins with education, and I believe everyone needs to sit back and realize this.

Remember, safety first!

Intro to Safety

“Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.” – Jeff Cooper