Disaster Tip of The Week:Start or Purchase A First Aid Kit

Keeping a First Aid Kit on hand is important and not just for when there is a major disaster.

It is a good idea to keep one available for everyday use. You never know when you or a family member may suffer a burn, cut, or something more severe. Having the proper first aid supplies on hand and in order will help to keep you calm and better enable you to help an injured person.

You also don't need to purchase anything elaborate but for people who would rather not put a kit together themselves you can easily by one from your local drug store, supermarket, or even online.

If you do decide to purchase one, be sure to check it periodically for expired items and restock your kit as you use items.

According to Ready.gov here are some items that you should make sure you have or add to your First Aid Kit:

• Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex).
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Things it may be good to have:

• Cell Phone
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Non-prescription drugs:

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative

You should also consider taking a first aid course from the Red Cross and you can also purchase a pocket guide to first aid such as the one we mentioned and reviewed by Nuru

Millions Seized At United States and Mexican Border Since March 1st

The DHS put out a Press Release today to announce the seizure of Millions of dollars headed across the border.

See the full DHS Press Release.

Partial Statement from the Press Release below:

On March 6, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Texas assisted the Laredo Police Department in the seizure of $1.2 million in U.S. currency hidden in rolls of carpet inside a tractor-trailer driving southbound on Interstate Highway 35. On March 3, CBP officers worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to act on an anonymous tip and intercept a southbound SUV with Mexico plates, and found a non-factory compartment made of steel and wrapped with lead containing $1.45 million U.S. currency concealed in the roof of the vehicle. And on March 1, CBP officers conducting outbound operations selected an SUV for inspection and discovered $561,132 hidden in the spare tire and inside a powdered detergent box.

“Our agents and officers, working together with local law enforcement agencies, are preventing millions of dollars from crossing the border into Mexico,” said Secretary Napolitano. “In stopping the funds that fuel the drug war, we will stifle cartel activity in the United States while helping our neighbors to the south by cracking down on illegal cash before it gets there.”

Just yesterday we posted a story on how bad and widespread the problem is. See our post: Connection Between Mexican Drug Cartels and Terrorists Clear

Connection Between Mexican Drug Cartels and Terrorists Clear

General Craig McKinley, the head of the United States National Guard said the link between terrorism and drug cartels along the United States border with Mexico is increasingly clear.

The drug cartels are supporting and funneling money to terrorist organizations according to the General, and are becoming increasingly violent.

If this statement is true, and as the situation develops it may only be a matter of time before terror groups set up bases of operations in Mexican Cities along the United States Border. In addition to increased numbers of terrorists crossing our border, we may also see the emergence of rocket attacks into the United States that are similar in nature to the rocket attacks on Israel.

It is for this reason, we cannot wait for the situation to further decline, the violence has already crossed into our Country.

When asked by Bill O’Reilly on his Fox News show if the violence was going to spread into the United States, Zapata County Sheriff Sigi Gonzalez said; “I’m not going to say it’s coming, I’m saying it’s already here.”

U.S. Representative Lamar Smith recently said the rise in violence along the border “has turned some American communities and neighborhoods into the Wild West." He added that “a battle is building on the border, and U.S. citizens are getting caught in the crossfire.... Congress must address the violence before more lives are lost."

Earth Has Near Miss With Asteroid on March 2nd 2009

Do you know where you were, or what you were doing on March 2nd 2009 around 5:44 AM PST or 8:44 EST. Most of us were either getting up or on our way to work that morning just as we do everyday.

However, most people are unaware that a small Asteroid measuring approximately 100 feet (30 meters) across passed within 63,500 km or 39,457 miles of the planet earth at this time. This distance is about 1/5th the distance to the Moon to put into perspective for you.

The Asteroid known as 2009 DD45 though small is roughly the same size ar the one that is suspected to have landed in Tunguska, Siberia in 1908, commonly referred to as the "Tunguska Event" which destroyed 800 square miles of forest in the area.

Even though this event would not have caused a mass extinction event, if this Asteroid were to have hit Earth, it would have had the same impact as a nuclear weapon, and would have probably destroyed a major city if had hit one.

Scientists have been searching space to find Near Earth Objects that might hit us, however this one was not found until February 27th which would not have been enough time to take action should it have been on course to hit us.

Animations of the event below:

Actual View of 2009 DD45 passing Earth:

On April 13th in 2029 an Asteroid known as 99942 Apophis will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth, closer than communications satellite. Apophis is about 885 square feet in size and is expected to return seven years later again on April 13th 2036 and may strike the planet.

Review of NURU Emergency First Aid Card Deck, With Giveaway Contest

Recently I was asked if I could review a deck of Emergency First Aid cards that are sold by NURU.

The deck overall is full of useful information that you would need in order to help someone during a medical emergency. I also give my personal thumbs up for a job well done in getting all of the information needed onto just thirty cards, which I am certain was no easy task.

The information is easy to read, well thought out and and covers things like CPR reminders, Heart Attacks, Shock, Monitoring Vital Signs, and Working With EMS. As a former First Responder, the last one is my personal favorite that I wish would be taught in every school.

I must admit, I was a little skeptical at first in how good these cards would be, since stopping to read the cards during an emergency is not really productive. However, the first few cards cover this, and they recommend taking a first aid course, which I also recommend. They also suggest reading the cards while waiting in line, or on the bus and other such places. The cards make a great way to refresh the information, and take quick action.

If you do not have any first aid training these cards would best serve you if you read through them and perhaps refer to them if you must, but if you read through them, you should know enough to handle the situation until first responders arrive.

I recommend these cards to have on hand for reference during emergencies and to read at your leisure. At a cost of only $8.00 they are well worth the money and would make a great gift for someone you care about, or even a co-worker.

From the NURU Website:

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
* 30 ultra-thin cards, each fully illustrated
* Small, metal management ring to keep your cards together
* Unique serial code (to access your deck's content online)

Emergency first aid, now.
* CPR techniques
* Choking/drowning
* Burns and bleeding
* Heart and circulatory problems
* Poisoning
* Electric shock
* How to work with victims, bystanders, and EMS

Simple language. Simple illustrations.
Learn the vital, life-saving techniques you need, regardless of age or educational background. NURU's simple language and illustrations makes learning and retaining this knowledge easy for everyone.

Vital knowledge, NOW.
Because emergencies can happen at any time, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the 3-5 minute breaks in your day (in the checkout line, on the bus, etc.) and get this knowledge IN YOUR BRAIN.

This item is currently available in NURU FastForm. Each card is printed on rich, full-color card stock, and is $8.00 DELIVERED to your door.

                                                      NOW FOR A CONTEST/GIVEAWAY:

Leave your Comments below and we will pick one person at random from the comments in this post and we will send you a new sealed deck of the NURU Emergency First Aid cards. Be sure to leave a valid email address when posting.

You must have your comments in before midnight 12:00 AM PST March 31, 2009 to be considered.

                                  Big Thank you to NURU for making this contest possible.