[sac-forum] Re: Medical Facilities

You are absolutely correct, Jimmy.  CPR is  VERY tiring and is intended only
as a stop-gap until professional help arrives.  

 

Also, hopefully club members will know their own medical limitations and
plan their observing accordingly.  I would suggest that if you have a
serious condition, then you let your observing buddies know about it so if
something were to happen, they would know what the probable cause is and
take constructive steps until help arrives.

 

Like AJ, I carry a card in my wallet listing my medications as well as my
insurance card.    

 

 

Richard Harshaw

Cave Creek, AZ

 

From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jimmy Ray
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:20 AM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Medical Facilities

 

I agree it is the responsibility of the individual. If one is seriously
medically challenged then they should question their being out in remote
locations anyway, but the allure of the heavens and the outdoors is great so
we venture out regardless. My thought on the issue of "personal"
responsibility was; say you have a heart attack and collapse, maybe it is
your first one, so being "personally responsible you're going to do "CPR" on
yourself? Of course not, you're going to hope someone around you does
something! Further, "CPR" it not intended for extended periods and is
physically very tiring.  It is to sustain for a short period until advanced
life support is available. At home we would call the fire department, who
would stabilize and transport. In remote areas other services, including the
DPS can supply that advanced support or get the individual to a facility in
minutes versus an hour or more. While it may never be needed I felt it might
be good to know what we as "individuals" might do as a "team" without regard
to any  "Club". So knowing in advance I could run to the gravel pit (cell
phone coverage), call dept. "X", drop a chopper in the meadow and wisk the
hapless individual off to a medical facility seemed to be a good thing to
know (still does so I'll make sure I know for my own "personal" peace of
mind). 

 

Jimmy Ray

 

From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Peter Argenziano
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 7:20 AM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Medical Facilities

 

Yes, the Red Cross offers CPR classes throughout the year and across the
valley. They offer CPR with and without first aid, and CPR classes for
dealing with adults and/or children and/or infants (slightly different
techniques) or even pets. The CPR certification is only valid for one year,
while first aid certification (standard and wilderness) is valid for 3; I
have all three. The prices range from $29 to $42.
While it is nice that there are folks who have this in the club, I like what
Gene alluded to - this really isn't a requirement of the club, this is where
people need to take responsibility for themselves.

Here is the link to ARC - Grand Canyon Chapter:
http://www.arizonaredcross.org/  Full details are there.

EVAC has maps to their observing sites (Vekol Road and Boyce Thompson) with
emergency. Below are links to them, if you care to have a look.
http://www.eastvalleyastronomy.org/downloads/BTA_emergency.pdf
http://www.eastvalleyastronomy.org/downloads/Vekol_emergency.pdf

Peter

Richard Harshaw wrote: 

The Red Cross offers CPR certification and update training.  I received mine
two years ago and it cost $10 (mainly for the workbook that came with it).

 

I also have a small first aid kit in the back of my car.  I did not mention
this to anyone, so when Steve hurt his finger, a kit was nearby but no one
knew it and I slept through the whole thing.  Next morning I told the guys
that I had a kit in the car and that if anyone ever needed, to get it,
whether I was awake or not.  It is not an elaborate kit, but it does include
bandages, ointments, and the like.  

 

 

Richard Harshaw

Cave Creek, AZ

 

From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of gene lucas
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 2:15 AM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Medical Facilities

 

Along this same theme.... This Xmas I "inherited" the >very< olde SAC "First
Aid Kit" from the stored junque that Jack Jones gave up... It was an old
ammo can full of outdated, tired stuff that evidently Peter Manly had put
together.  (Some items dated from the 1980s!!)  It had obviously long since
given up any usefulness, so it was all discarded.  

May I politely suggest we add some suggestions to the "Star Party Etiquette"
FAQ on the responsibilities >of each individual< going out into "The
Boonies" as to what suggested stuff  (A >current< First Aid Kit, blankets,
etc. etc.) to take along in the event of "an emergency" occurring.  (This
could include supplies in the event of getting stuck on the road...)
  
Additionally, may I say that I don't think SAC has any legal responsibilties
along those lines, but it is obviously prudent and helpful and useful to
pass along such information, as any responsible outdoor activity group would
do.  Might "save a life", too.

As to CPR instruction, etc. it would be good to suggest possible places or
resources where >individual SAC members< could receive training if they
desired it....  Some of us may have had such First Aid training in the
distant past (military service, safety training at work), but it would be
good to know where to get an "annual tune up" or refresher training if
desired....

Gene Lucas
(17250)

[earlier discussion items snipped -- GL]

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