Updated CPR and First Aid Guidelines

On October 15, 2015 the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) released updated CPR and First Aid Guidelines. To comply with these new recommendations and ILCOR, First Aid instructors must complete an instructor update course by the end of 2016. instructors can continue to teach and certify using the 2010 materials until December 31, 2016.

On January 1, 2017, any instructor or instructor trainer who has not yet completed the class covering these changes in treatment recommendations will not be authorized to issue ASHI First Aid certification cards.

Evergreen Safety Council has a couple of these classes already slated for February 11 and March 21, in Kirkland, WA.

Here is a brief overview of a few of these changes that have been incorporated in the ASHI/HSI training:

• In the area of education they found that the use of a CPR feedback device (like the Loop) is very effective for improving CPR skills and if one is not available, use a device such as a metronome to improve adherence to recommendations for chest compressions (which is now 100 to 120 per minute).
  
• Findings show that most CPR compressions are too shallow and it is more effective to compress deeper rather than shallower. The recommendation is a depth of at least 2 inches and not deeper than 2.4 inches.
  
• Pediatric CPR compression rates are also 100 to 120 per minute and they are recommending deeper compressions of at least 1/3 the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest for those aged one month to the onset of puberty.
  
• On burns it is now recommended that thermal burns are cooled with cool or cold potable water for at least 10 minutes. If water is not available a clean cool compress can be used to loosely cover the burn. (Care should be taken to monitor for hypothermia when cooling large burns.) Also with burns it is NOT recommended to use natural remedies, however if you are in a wilderness setting honey could be used on a burn.
  
• They are now recommending that following a dental avulsion, it is essential to seek rapid assistance with  re-implantation of the tooth. if you cannot get to a dentist soon put the tooth in milk or clean water if milk is not available.
  
• The anaphylaxis emergencies have been updated to state that if a person with anaphylaxis does not respond to the initial does of epinephrine and the arrival of EMS exceeds 5 to 10 minutes a repeat dose of epinephrine may be considered.
  
• There have been a couple of new additions to the concussion area which are if:
  
  
  • Any person with a head injury that has resulted in a change in level of consciousness or has progressive development of signs or symptoms of a concussion should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible, and
    
  • Using any mechanical machinery, driving, cycling, or continuing to participate in sports after a head injury should be deferred until they are assessed by a medical professional.
    
  • Bleeding control has also been updated to include training in tourniquets. According to the guidelines because the rate of complications is low and the rate of hemostasis is high, first aid providers may consider the use of a tourniquet when standard first aid hemorrhage control does not control severe external limb bleeding. It is reasonable for first aid providers to be trained in the proper application of tourniquets, both manufactured and improvised. In addition, hemostatic dressings may be considered by first aid providers when standard bleeding control is not effective for severe or life threatening bleeding.

Remember that the new science and treatment recommendations do not imply that emergency care or instruction involving the use of earlier science and 2010 treatment recommendation is unsafe.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Using an AED is SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE

It’s shockingly simple to save a life. The Emergency Services Division of Public Health – Seattle & King County launched the Shockingly Simple Campaign to increase adoption and registration of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Seattle and King County. Every year more than 300,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) – a condition in which the heart unexpectedly stops beating. It can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any time, even to those with optimal heart health. And when it occurs – seconds count. 

AEDs are designed to diagnose this life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm caused by SCA and will determine the need to deliver a shock that will restore the heart’s normal rhythm before emergency teams arrive. In many cases, AED use is a victim’s only chance of survival. In fact, studies have shown a 70-80% chance of survival if an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used within minutes on an SCA victim.

AEDs are very simple to use and each device provides step-by-step audio instruction to walk you through the process.

 “It’s shockingly simple to restart a heart with an AED,” said David Fleming, PhD. and executive director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We launched this campaign with the support of business and community leaders to encourage professionals to purchase and register AEDs, which have the potential to save lives within their organizations and communities.”

ESC often hears about how an AED has saved a life within our service area.  Unfortunately, there are also cases where people lose a family member or friend because an AED was not available.  This is why we have joined the Shockingly Simple campaign and registered our AED with Public Health - Seattle & King County to ensure 9-1-1 operators know its location and can direct people to it in case of an emergency. We will also alert our neighbors, since we believe having an AED is not only good business practice for us, but also helps our local community.

If you have an AED, we encourage you to register it.  If your organization does not have an AED, we encourage you to purchase one.  If you need training we can help with that too.  

The life it saves may be yours!

CPR Training

Did you know that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the number one cause of death in the United States?  About 300,000 out-of-hospital SCA’s occur annually and 80% of those occur at home!  As only about 8% of those experiencing out-of-hospital SCA’s survive, it seems vital that to increase those odds, we need to increase the number of people trained in CPR.  About 70% of Americans have never been trained in CPR or their training has significantly lapsed.  That’s important today, because in late 2010, CPR standards changed and it’s easier than ever to help a victim of witnessed SCA.

CPR training now emphasizes “Compressions First”, and for adult victims of witnessed SCA, Compression-Only (or “Hands-only”) CPR is something that even untrained bystanders can begin immediately and make a significant difference.  It’s easy!

• When someone collapses suddenly, is not responsive and is not breathing (or not breathing normally), make sure 9-1-1 has been called, and have someone get a portable defibrillator (AED) if it is available.  If no one else is around, do this yourself.
• Kneel directly over your victim and place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest.  Now put the other hand on top and interlace your fingers.  Push hard and fast until help arrives.*

*Hard is at least 2 inches into the chest

*Fast is at least 100 beats per minute (the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees is about 103.)

Please watch this one minute video tutorial. It’s the best minute you can ever spend to save someone you care about.

Finally, please consider signing up for Evergreen Safety Council’s next Open Enrollment First Aid / CPR & AED class on June 29, 2012.

Contributed by Kat Spitz, First Aid Trainer, Evergreen Safety Council

Go Red for Women

Contributed by Kat Spitz, First Aid / CPR instructor, Evergreen Safety Council

In an effort to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women (it kills more women than all forms of cancer – combined!), the American Heart Association (AHA) devised the Go Red for Women Campaign. 

National Wear Red Day is February 3^rd, 2012! 

Even the popular new hit show Hot in Cleveland starring Betty White tackled this issue on a recent episode of the show (air date: 1/18/12 – you can watch the episode).

While most women admit to worrying about breast cancer which affects thousands, many are unaware of the hundreds of thousands of women killed by heart attacks each year.  Too often, women don’t realize that they are suffering from a heart attack; therefore, many don’t seek help until it is too late.  In addition to the “classic” symptoms that men almost exclusively suffer (chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, pain down the left arm possibly spreading to the jaw, neck and shoulders, nausea), women’s symptoms can also include indigestion, backache, dizziness and fatigue - not usually symptoms that would send us running to the emergency room!

The AHA states that 80% of heart attacks in women can be prevented by making the right choices when it comes to diet, exercise (do) and smoking (don’t)! 

Visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/about_heart_disease_and_stroke.aspx for more information on how to fight cardiovascular disease and how to send 5 people you love (or at least like a little) information on heart disease with a free Go Red Heart Health Kit!

You can also help raise awareness by “Liking” their Facebook page and, of course, by wearing Red on February 3^rd!

Women are dying at the rate of one per minute because they don’t know what you know: heart disease kills.  Help spread the word!

Safety Gifts Support Safety Culture

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
With the holidays fast approaching and 2012 is just around the corner, now is the best time to show employees your appreciation for working safely all year long.

Check out these ideas for employee gifts that are fun to receive and also reinforce your organization's safety culture. These items also make great gifts for your family and your employees' families!

• Portable Weather Radio
• Solar or battery powered AM/FM radio
• Vehicle Emergency Kit
• First Aid Kit – personal to family sized
• Solar, shakable or battery powered Flashlights
• PPE for home use – suits, goggles, ear plugs, etc.

Many of these types of gifts and even more are available online or through your general safety supply retailer.

And since we are Evergreen Safety Council…Motorcycle or Sidecar/Trike training class Gift Certificates are a great safety gift for family and friends. Call our office 206-382-4090 to order one today.

Safety & Health Solutions - November edition

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:

Lead Article – Be honest...Are you in compliance?

 

Other articles

• Machine Guarding
• First Aid: About OSHA and ANSI
• Confined Space Safety
• Can I borrow a cup of sugar...and a forklift

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

First aid training can mean the difference between life and death

Is your company in compliance?
Are your employees at risk?

Ask yourself these questions:
• Is your company located less than four minutes away from EMS responders?
• Are your employees trained to recognize and respond to a life-threatening situation?
• Do you have an onsite emergency response team?

If you answer "NO" to even one of these questions, the chances of survival for an employee who experiences cardiac arrest or other medical emergency are severely diminished.

ESC can help. We offer:

First Aid / CPR / AED Instructor training courses, so your trainer can train our employees,

Open enrollment First Aid / CPR / AED at our Seattle Training Center, and

Onsite training throughout the northwest. We can come to your organization and train instructors or individuals.

For more information call or email Stephanie today 1-800-521-0778.

Attention ASHI Instructors

We have finally received word on the new ASHI instructor/student materials. All of the following items are available for pre-order at this time for delivery in the middle of June. Only instructors that have gone through the Instructor Upgrade will be allowed to purchase the new material.

• BFA Instructor Package (DVD & PPT) - $115


• BFA Instructor Manual - $50


• BFA Student Book/Card - $8


• CPR/AED Instructor Package (DVD & PPT) - $115


• CPR/AED Instructor Manual - $50


• CPR/AED Student Book/Card - $7


• BFA/CPR/AED Student Book/Card - $9.75


• CPR Pro Instructor Package (DVD & PPT) - $115


• CPR Pro Instructor Manual - $50


• CPR Pro Student Book/Card - $8.5

Each instructor is required to have an Instructor Guide for each program they teach. Each company (and it’s locations) are required to have a package. A letter will be mailed to each instructor next week with more details on when the material should be ready, etc.

To place a pre-order you can send Stephanie an email or call 800-521-0778 to speak with Stephanie or Chris.

Safety & Health Solutions - May edition

Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:

Lead Article – Emergency Preparedness

People in Safety – Jeff Long, OSHA 500 and HAZWOPER Instructor

Regular Articles:

• When is Compression-Only (Hands-Only) CPR Appropriate?


• Five Things I’d Like to See


• Zirkle Fruit Awarded the Safety Excellence Award


• Positioning Your Vehicle Safety in the Great Outdoors


• Regular Features: Membership Corner, Forklift Corner, Calendar of Events, Safety Gallery, and more....

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

First Aid/CPR/AED Training Saves Lives

We offer a variety of American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) courses, including onsite CPR/AED-only classes and instructor training designed especially for workplace settings. Know the signs of a heart attack, so you'll be ready to react effectively - some are sudden and intense, but more start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Look for:

• Chest discomfort. Pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the chest that lasts for a few minutes or comes and goes.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. Often accompanies chest discomfort.
• Other sign may include light-headedness, fainting, sweating or nausea.

For more information about our first aid training, contact Stephanie Dyck or call 800-521-0778.

Study on cardiac arrest highlights benefit of public AEDs

Cardiac arrests that can be treated by an automated external defibrillator are more common in public settings than at home, according to a study released Jan. 26 from the National Institutes of Health.

Comparing data from more than 14,000 cardiac arrest patients, researchers found a higher percentage of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation – the types of abnormal heart rhythms that can be treated through electric shock – occurred in public settings. More than one-third of people treated in public with an AED survived, which is significantly higher than the overall national average cardiac arrest survival rate of 8 percent. The at-home survival rate for cardiac arrests treated with an AED was 12 percent.

"These survival results affirm the value of putting AEDs in public locales," said Myron Weisfeldt, lead author of the study. "Even though the overall frequency of VT/VF arrests has declined over the past few decades, they are still a fairly common occurrence in public settings."

Researchers suggested the difference in cardiac arrest types in public settings versus home settings may be due to the fact that individuals who spend more time in public places may be younger and more active, making them more predisposed to VT/VF arrest. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, (Vol. 364, No. 4).

Source: National Safety Council

Safety & Health Solutions - February edition

Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:
Lead Article – Why is safety training for employees important?
People in Safety – Brion Beaver, Safety Manager, Cascade Natural Gas
Articles -
Another life saved because two individuals were trained in first aid/CPR
Tractor Safety
How to Brake-Release-Steer
Improve Response to Major Incidents with Better Preparedness and Training
Fun with Forklifts

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Lifeguards Saved Our Son's life

Contributed by Tom Odegaard, Executive Director, Evergreen Safety Council
I received this testimonial from the parents of a boy who nearly drowned in a swimming accident. Another life saved because two individuals were trained in First Aid/CPR!
These two young lifeguards have been submitted for the Governor's Life Saving Award.

On October 31, 2010 our family was swimming in the busy Pro Club pool when we found our 4 year old son, Mikey, floating face down. Another boy had grabbed his swimming noodle, and not knowing how to swim, Mikey sank below the water and began drowning. My 9 year old son noticed Mikey face down and called for me. I grabbed him and put him on the side of the pool. He was purple, limp and had no pulse.

The lifeguard, Talor Green, had been admonishing other children in the pool for misbehaving at the time. When I put Mikey on the side of the pool, Talor was there instantly. He did a quick assessment and began CPR on Mikey. Although Talor had been trained in CPR, he had never done it in a real-life situation. Soon after he began compressions, Danielle Van der Baan arrived with a mask to do mouth to mouth resuscitation. She and Talor worked as a tight team, counting together. Danielle kept checking for a pulse and finally got a good blow into Mikey’s lungs. Water came spilling out and his eyes opened. They rolled him on his side as the water drained from his lungs. Talor told me to get in the pool and talk to Mikey since he was hardly conscious. Within a few seconds the paramedics arrived and gave Mikey oxygen.

Mikey was taken to Seattle Children’s hospital and released the next day with no complications. One of the doctors noted that the CPR did not injure Mikey and complimented the work of the two lifeguards.

Mikey is a very special boy. Our family is a Christian family. We had gone to the pool this day after church. Later, in the hospital my wife found Mikey’s Bible memory verse from Sunday School in his coat pocket: “The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life” Psalm 121:7. We believe that God must have great plans for Mikey since he gave him a second chance at life.

We want to honor these lifeguards for saving Mikey’s life by nominating them for the Governor’s lifesaving award.

First Aid Instructor Update for New 2010 CPR Guidelines

Dear First Aid Instructor,

The new 2010 Guidelines for CPR and ECC have been announced by ILCOR and AHA. ASHI has been working very hard to get as much information together as possible for an interim period. Below is an explanation of the process you will be required to partake in order to maintain your instructor certification credentials.

1. Starting November 15th interim materials will be available for download from http://www.hsi.com/ (probably on the instructor portal). This will include instructor supplemental materials and student materials. You will continue to use the current material and handouts for the student.

2. EVERY INSTRUCTOR will be required to go through an upgrade in order to teach the new 2010 guidelines and receive the new books and cards. You will have until 12/31/11 to upgrade to the new guidelines. By completing the Update Process you will have the ability to teach HSI’s new G2010 training programs and issue provider-level certification cards, you will receive a new G2010 Instructor card (new card will use instructor’s current renewal date) and you will have access to digital G2010 Instructor Guides. There are two ways you can upgrade:

a. Starting November 22nd you can go to http://www.hsi.com/, sign in to the instructor portal and upgrade online. At this time the process takes approximately 1-2 hours and the cost is $20 payable to Evergreen Safety Council.
or
b. Attend an upgrade with Evergreen Safety Council in a classroom setting. The class will be about 4 hours and cost $40. You can register online or you can download a registration form (pdf) and mail/fax it back to us.

A benefit to attending a class will be the option of sending in questions you’d like answered and/or topics you would like discussed, as well as additional instructor development techniques.

Current upgrade classroom schedule:
December 15, 2010 – Seattle from 8am-12pm
January 18, 2011 – Seattle from 12:30pm-4:30pm
February 8, 2011 – Shelton area from 8am-12pm
February 28, 2011 – Spokane area - tba
Other areas can be scheduled with enough interest

First Aid, CPR/AED and CPR for the Professional Rescuer materials are estimated to be available to instructors during the second quarter. Other materials such as Oxygen Administration, Bloodborne Pathogens and Spanish FA/CPR are estimated to be available by the end of 2011.

Please do not hesitate in contacting Stephanie Dyck First Aid Programs Coordinator, or call 206-382-4090 or 800-521-0778 if you have any questions or concerns.

A-B-Cs Now C-A-B

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training, Evergreen Safety Council
On October 18, 2010 the American Heart Association announced the 2010 CPR guidelines. Like everything else, more information is to come, but the big thing is that A-B-C has now been change to C-A-B, Compressions, airway and breathing. The emphasis will be on the compressions being first, then airway and breathing. The ratio is still 30:2, but the compressions should be at least 2 inches and the beat needs to be at least 100 per minute.

ESC staff will be attending an ASHI (American Safety & Health Institute) Informational training on November 15th and hope to provide ASHI Instructor information on update requirements and new training material revision information by the 1st of December. ESC will be publishing more information as it becomes available, but for now instructors should stay with the A-B-C training and continue to purchase currently published materials until things are officially sent out by American Heart and ASHI.

I’m Tickled

Contributed by Norm Nyhuis, Safety Trainer / Consultant, Evergreen Safety Council
I have a tickler file – I put things in it, to remind me to do something at an appointed date and time. Today’s tickler file reminder was to perform my annual home emergency preparedness review.

Here in the Northwest, we live in earthquake country. The experts tell us it’s not a matter of IF, but rather a matter of WHEN the next major earthquake will strike western Washington. Most injuries in earthquakes are caused by things falling or breaking or when people try to run from one place to another. Anything that can move, break, fall or cause a fire when your home starts to shake is a potential hazard. Here are some the things I’ll look at; perhaps you may want to perform a similar check

• Are large items close to the bed? Dressers or other tall furniture can topple over during a ‘quake. Glass items on those pieces of furniture and even glass from windows or picture frames can cause injury.
• Heavy potted plants – particularly those suspended from the ceiling, in any room – can come loose and cause damage to anyone near. These can be replaced with lighter pots and the suspending hook should be a king that can be positively closed to keep the suspended item in place.
• Check storage cabinets and shelving: place heavier items on the bottom shelves and lighter items on the top shelves.
• Secure tall furniture to the wall studs to prevent them from toppling over. Commercial gels, and other similar products can secure displayed items such as glassware to the shelf, so they don’t come flying off when things start shaking.
• Check to insure your water heater is securely strapped to the wall studs. This will prevent it from tipping, and if the water supply is compromised, this is a 30 to 50 gallon supply of emergency water.
• Check the garage or similar storage areas: store liquid weed killers, pesticides, or other flammable liquids away from heat sources.
• Do you know how to and have the tools readily available to shut off your utilities – water, natural gas, electricity – in the event of leaking from damage incurred during the ‘quake?
• Check your cabinet latches: replace magnetic latches with a type that will positively hold, keeping the cabinet contents inside.
• Check the yard for dead tree limbs that could snap off and damage the roof of your house.
• Re-arrange the furniture, if necessary, so that if they did tip they would not block an evacuation route or access to your emergency supplies of home fire extinguisher.
• Check your 72 hour kit for expiration dates of food and stored water supplies. If you don’t have a kit, get one, appropriately sized for your family and don’t forget to have supplies for your pets, too.

The bottom line is simply, any preparations you make, can be useful in not only an earthquake event, but will be helpful in any emergency situation. A final suggestion: do you have current First Aid / CPR training? If not, one source for training is Evergreen Safety Council, check out the schedule for classes on our website.

AHA Stroke Study

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training, Evergreen Safety Council
According to the American Heart Association more young people are having strokes while older people are having fewer, according to data from Ohio and Kentucky presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2010.

The study highlights are:

• Stroke, often considered a disease of old age, is declining in the elderly and increasing at younger ages.
• The percentage of strokes occurring in people under age 45 has grown significantly since the 1990s.

To read the entire article please follow this link.

Broaden Your First Aid Abilities

Evergreen Safety Council will be offering two 2-hour continuing education courses for first aid providers and instructors. These courses are designed to further the participant’s knowledge in first aid and improve their abilities.

BBP Certification (3/19/2010 or 6/15/2010)
Coming in contact with bodily fluids can spread diseases such as HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis. Bloodborne Pathogen training teaches how to prevent transmission of these diseases by identifying ways to prevent contact and detailing proper clean-up procedures and waste disposal methods.

Emergency Oxygen Certification (3/19/2010 or 6/15/2010)
Serious and life-threatening emergencies often cause oxygen to be depleted in the body. The application of supplemental oxygen can be a critical step in treating severe or life-threatening conditions. Knowing how to properly use this therapy can be life-saving.

We believe these classes are an integral part of a well-rounded first aid education, and highly recommend that you look into them as a way of furthering your knowledge and strengthening your skills as a first aid provider/instructor.

these course are offered at the Evergreen Safety Training Center in Seattle for $85 each, but as an added incentive, we will reduce the course fee to $75 per class when you register for both of the courses.

If you have any questions please contact Stephanie or for more information or to register, visit our website .

Earthquake Preparedness

We normally don't post two items in one day, but this is timely and important...We encourage you to add your ideas and tips in the comment section.

By Norm Nyhuis, Trainer / Consultant, Evergreen Safety Council

As I write this article, the news media is flooded with reports from the January 12th earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti. Sadly, we may never have accurate information regarding the toll, both human and financial, of this event. At this moment, speculation runs the full spectrum from bad, to worse, to unimaginable.

For those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest, the heart breaking images flickering across our television screens strike very close to home. Earthquakes are a fact of life – actually almost a daily occurrence – for those of us who live along the Pacific Coast, and many of us have vivid memories of our own experiences during the recent earthquakes. Check out http://www.pnsn.org/recenteqs/ for an up-to-the-moment depiction of earthquake activity in the area.

The question is: what have YOU done to reduce the effect of an earthquake on your family?

In 1983, FEMA established a comprehensive Earthquake Education Program under the authority of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. The intent of this FEMA program include increasing awareness of earthquake hazards and encouraging everyone, both individuals and businesses, to get involved in earthquake preparedness and hazard reduction.

FEMA has published lists that summarize some recommendations for increasing earthquake preparedness actions at work, school, and in your home.

Work:
· Post clear instructions for actions to take during and after an earthquake
· Hold earthquake drills on site
· Instruct personnel how to assist customers and visitors to your work site during an earthquake and to direct evacuation of buildings
· Securely store hazardous materials
· Keep a flashlight at sales counters, in desk drawers, and other areas that would be difficult to evacuate or inspect in the dark
· Make provisions for secure storage of essential data and information for your business operations
· Identify an alternate location to conduct business if your primary facility is structurally damaged and can not be occupied.
· Maintain an inventory and location list of valuable items that may need to be moved to a temporary site following an earthquake
· Protect computer systems and personal computers against damage and loss of data as a result of ground shaking and power outage – surge protectors, earthquake straps, regular back-up of data and possibly off-site storage of those back-ups.

School:
Parents need to talk with their school district administrators to learn about the “seismic safety” of school buildings (have they been evaluated?) and encourage the district to improve the ability of school buildings to resist ground shaking without total or partial collapse. In addition, school districts should develop an earthquake safety program.

· Hold earthquake drills, “drop, cover & hold” including evacuation of the building
· Inform parents about plans to care for students during and after a major earthquake – parents should provide their children with a personal 72 hour kit.
· Encourage the training of school personnel in first aid, CPR, search and rescue techniques, and building safety procedures, such as turning off damaged utilities.
· Develop an attendance system that will provide an accurate list of all students and staff on site, each day
· Include information on earthquakes and earthquake preparedness in the curriculum

Home:
Among the many things homeowners and families can do are:
· Have family earthquake drills
· Have a family plan for what family members should do during and after an earthquake
· Make sure children know what to do during an earthquake if they are at home alone, and where the family should leave messages if relocation is necessary – this means establishing an out of state contact where each family member can call to report their location
· Build or buy a “grab n’ go” kit of sufficient size to accommodate your family if you need to evacuate your home
· Take some simple and inexpensive steps to reduce the damage to your home and its contents by securing tall cabinets to the wall studs, and secure items to the shelves with sticky gels or similar products
· Know where and how-to shut off damaged utilities and have the necessary tools available to do so

There is a great deal of useful information on the FEMA website, we encourage to become informed and take action.

Health Resolutions for the New Year

Hopefully, the few days of your new year has gone beautifully! If you are like most people, you may have even made a few “resolutions”. Studies show that 40-45% of Americans make resolutions every year, and at least one of those usually involves a promise to eat healthier and exercise more. Even though health related resolutions are made with the best of intentions, they often fail because people try to do too much too soon. (Certainly, if you attend the gym regularly, you notice the new crop of attendees every year that tends to dwindle after the first month or two.) People make promises to themselves that they are just not mentally prepared for or physically able to keep.

While failure to keep these health related promises is disappointing, it also has the potential to be very dangerous or in rare cases, deadly. For those with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or for anyone embarking on a new fitness program after being sedentary, it is imperative that before you begin any diet or exercise program you visit your physician to get medical advice and physical clearance.

No one disputes the advantages of physical fitness. The trick is to start slow and make attainable goals. In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, at least three to four times a week, but even just walking for 20 minutes a day has been shown to strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system, improve your circulation and help your body use oxygen more efficiently.

Other benefits of regular exercise include:

• Lower blood pressure
• Increase energy levels and endurance
• Improve muscle tone and strength, balance and flexibility
• Strengthen bones
• Reduce body fat and maintain a healthy weight
• Help reduce stress, tension, anxiety and depression

In talking to your physician, here are some questions you might consider asking to make your new fitness program safe and effective:

• How much exercise can I do each day?
• How often can I exercise each week?
• What type of exercise can I do?
• What type of activities should I avoid?
• Should I take my medication(s) at certain times around my exercise schedule?
• Do I need to take my pulse while exercising?
• What modifications should I make to my diet?

If you are planning to turn your health around this year by starting a diet and exercise program, please begin safely by visiting your physician to discuss the proper course of action for you! Stay healthy and safe in 2010!