Archive for the 'American Red Cross' Category
December 22nd, 2009 -- Posted in American Red Cross |
Since 1995, when AM General Corporation, later to be absorbed by General Motors, started producing a civilian equivalent of the military vehicle M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV better known as the Hum-vee). This vehicle was also much known as the Hummer and as a monster of a vehicle, it has been known world over for its toughness and reliability and for the heavy duty Hummer parts that it uses. Not to mention the coolness factor, a symbol for power and prestige. It is more than just a car, it is a statement. When General Motors took over the Hummer, they have renamed it the H1 and added two more versions, the H2 and the H3.
The only bad reputation this off-road vehicle received was with regards to its capacity to guzzle a huge amount of gas making critics label it excessively damaging to the environment. While that may be the case, the Hummer may be converted into an eco-friendly machine but it would cost a fortune.
The muscle and the appetite of this car is unparalleled even by modern standards in full sized SUVs. But this monster of a machine has practical use, and a very helpful one at that. Due to the fact that the Hummer’s off-road dependability is like no other, it is considered as the best rescue vehicle in cases of major natural calamities. With its cargo capacity and overall off-road performance it is ideal as support vehicles for rescue and relief efforts by various humanitarian aid organizations.
One such organization is HOPE (Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies) and this organization was made possible by the teaming up of the American Red Cross and the Hummer Club Inc. These two organizations train Hummer owners in basic first aid skills and CPR and basic off-road skills so that they will be equipped to help victims in cases of disasters. This shows that behind all those muscles and machismo aura that the car definitely exudes is a machine that is ready to help in humanitarian aids.
Another positive impact of the Hummer in the relief and rescue efforts of the American Red Cross is the donation of 72 Hummers from General Motors. This fleet of amazing machines is composed of H1s, H2s and H3s, all of which are covered by the Major Guard Protection extended coverage service from the company at no charge. All these Hummers will be in service during disasters where their off-road capabilities will be of much service. The H2s and H3s donated by GM also feature OnStar services, giving drivers navigation information to make disaster relief and rescue operation faster.
Having these Hummers on the side of the Red Cross may alter how people look at this marvelous piece of machinery. It may have possessed an aura of indifference, something unattainable thus having critics give it a bad name but these moves on the part of Hummer owners and the manufacturer may have turned the tide and just gave the Hummer a facelift and a friendlier aura.
December 18th, 2009 -- Posted in American Red Cross |
XM satellite radio and the American Red Cross teamed up to give the workers and relief help for Hurricane Katrina a source for national radio coverage. Red Cross staff and volunteers along the Gulf Coast now have access to the channel, which is a 24-hour, nationwide XM channel to provide help and information for Hurricane Katrina victims and other Red Cross workers across the country.
XM Channel 248 -dubbed the Red Cross Radio is now available on XM Satellite Radio from the west coast to the east coast. All XM receivers, portable, at home or in your car can now listen to the channel for updates and news. As part of the partnership, XM has donated radios to the Red Cross and relief workers so that they may stay up-to-date on a the relief effort. “In addition to Red Cross Radio, XM offers the XM Emergency Alert Channel (XM Channel 247), which tracked the hurricane’s progress and now provides updates on clean-up, road closures, school closings, and other information from federal and local governments, law enforcement, and other agencies.” – (XM satellite radio) XM Radio is proud to have the Red Cross channel, which it is using to send out information and announcements to workers across the region. The portability and national coverage of the station allows all workers and all of those involved to be on the same wave length. Support for Red Cross efforts is being heard all across the country and the XM radio channel has played a large part in this relief effort
December 16th, 2009 -- Posted in American Red Cross |
All those who have been to CPR classes will know the basics to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. You start by checking if the patients airway is clear, then you check the patients breathing, then you check for heartbeat and if, during this process, the patient suddenly awakens, ensure that you are not bitten.
For quite a while now the American Red Cross and other organizations have been training people in performing CPR for pets through classes which include all the nuances of first aid for pets inclusive of mouth-to-snout resuscitation. That’s correct, mouth-to-snout.
This technique is very similar to the conventional mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for humans. The main difference is that the person while performing this will close the mouth of the dog and provide breaths into the nose of the dog. Though this sounds humorous and to some even unpleasant, knowing the mouth-to-snout resuscitation technique can even save your pets life if it ever came to that.
The Scoop is a popular website that reports news on dogs (you know what the theory is -’dog bites man’ is no news but ‘man bites dog’ definitely is). In March 2002, they came out with a story about a man in Walla Walla who saved a dog from death by performing the mouth-to-snout resuscitation. The dog had accidentally choked and had it not been for the Good Samaritan, who had received training in this process, the dog would have surely died. The Associated Veterinary Clinic of Walla Walla then treated the revived dog and released it.
Mouth to snout is not the only procedure that can be performed on dogs. In case of emergencies where the dogs heart stops, chest compressions can also be performed. Awareness about these procedures can perhaps save a dogs from death and allow him to live and play another day of fetch.
Many organizations, which previously provided training and certification in traditional CPR only, are now teaching pet CPR too and the concept is fast gaining popularity. The Red Cross in your locality may be conducting these classes and if you are interested in training you must contact them. You never know when such expertise may come to use.
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