Elevator Emergency

Annually, there are more than 200 billion trips taken in elevators. This considered, there are approximately 150 deaths and 18,000 injuries caused by elevator related incidents per year (Courtley, 2012). This being said elevators are considerably safe (statistically).

It is very important to remain aware in every situation. With a trip on an elevator,  it usually proceeds with you pushing a button, the door opening, and you entering. We tend not to consider how the elevator works, or when it was last inspected, but being aware of and understanding the basic operation of technologies like an elevator can be very beneficial and help you in an emergency situation. Many injuries and deaths caused by elevators are due to door malfunctions. This could mean the door opens and there is no car there, and people who died from this malfunction did so because they stepped forward and fell down the shaft; reinforcing the idea that you should always remain AWARE and look up from your cellphone (I can’t lie and say that I’ve never gotten engrossed by a text or email while walking somewhere). In other cases, the door signal may malfunction and a car might move before everyone is on/off.  When using technology remember that you need to still be aware of your surroundings, and not always rely on that machine 100%. Remain alert!

ELEVATOR ENTRAPMENT:

According to Courtley, rescue from a stalled elevator takes about three hours on average. Most elevators have hatches concealed by paneling which provide an exit at the top of the car, but this is an option you should only consider under dire circumstances, and it is usually best to wait it out. If you find yourself trapped, you may like many others suffer from extreme panic. This may cause a heart attack, so in this situation it is  important to use your mental resources to remain calm. If you find yourself trapped, you should:

– Push the open door button. If the car is at the landing, it will open.

– If the door does not open, don’t worry you are probably still safe. Do NOT crawl out of a stalled elevator, especially if the door opens between floors.

– Use the alarm or help button, the telephone, or the intercom to call for help.

– If service response time exceeds thirty minutes, 911 or the fire department should be called to report the entrapment first.

(Courtley, 2012).

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References:

Courtley, C. (2012). SEAL Survival Guide. New York, NY: Gallery Books

Fire : Home

There are more than 350,000 home fires in the U.S. every year. These fires account for approximately 3,500 deaths, and 15,000 serious injuries (Courtley, 2012). Similar to building fires (see previous post) home fires are caused primarily by unattended cooking, space heaters, and candles. Thinking about causes it occurred to me some other risks like leaving on curling irons/straighteners; I know sometimes when I get ready early in the morning I have to remind myself to turn off/unplug these appliances. Unlike forest fires which may sometimes be beneficial to the ecosystem (but can also be very destructive) fires in homes are almost always devastating and cause extensive damage. It is important to take precautionary measures to avoid fires, as well as being prepared and educated in the appropriate action if you do find yourself in this type of emergency situation.

It is extremely important to make sure you have smoke alarms installed in your home, and you check them regularly. Using the appropriate tools that have been developed for safety reasons is imperative. It is helpful to check and change smoke alarm batteries at a designated time like when the clocks have to be changed in the spring and fall. Setting a designated time will help you to remember, and create a routine.

As with buildings, you should practice non-emergency evacuations in your home regularly. The difference here is that in buildings or offices, these evacuations are not scheduled and you must create and follow through with them on your own. Being familiar with an escape route can mean life or death in the case of a fire. I know that when I was younger, in my house we had a plan that if anything were to happen in the house and we all had to get out, we would meet at the cherry tree in the front yard. We practiced this and knew that in an emergency situation there was an exact plan of what to do. Doing this helps provide a sense of security, and practicing it helps you to develop a sort of mental shortcut so that in an emergency you can use your mental capacities for other things.

In the case of a fire, if you must cross it you should douse all of your clothing with as much water as possible, and remove any clothing made of synthetic fiber (Courtley, 2012). Another effective technique if you are faced with an emergency and catch fire is to STOP, DROP & ROLL. Yes, we’ve all heard this saying, and for good reason. The repetition of this phrase that we hear as children has hopefully made it so that if we do catch fire, it is almost a subconscious reaction.

Facing any emergency situation is scary, but being prepared greatly enhances our chances of surviving.

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References:

Courtley, C. (2012). SEAL Survival Guide. New York, NY: Gallery Books

Fire : Building

Nearly 85% of all U.S. house and building fires are caused by unattended cooking, space heaters, cigarettes, or candles. Most deaths related to fire are a result of toxic fume and smoke inhalation.

If you live in an apartment building, or work in an office building, it is very important to know the location of the nearest fire exits. Make sure you know at least two evacuation options for each floor of such buildings. It is beneficial to practice evacuation during non-emergency conditions, so that in case you are ever facing a real emergency you are familiar with what to do and will be more efficient. In the SEAL Survival Guide, Courtley discusses counting the number of doors from your office to the fire exit door. All of these tactics when practicing an evacuation route can help you to be able to find your way to the exit quickly and easily.

If you are in a building during a fire, you should avoid elevators. Cade Courtley refers to them as ” wind tunnels” for fire to move between floors. Develop your evacuation route without including them.

Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are helpful tools to prevent and combat fires. If you work, live, or basically enter a building, you may not be in full control of these tools. That is why it is important to be aware of your surroundings and if you see something that violates regulations you should speak up in order to correct those issues.

When facing a fire, it is important to stay low and as close to the floor as possible, because heat and smoke rise (Courtley, 2012). Also, when evacuating you should close doors when leaving rooms (if possible) this will slow down the spread of a fire.

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References:

Courtley, C. (2012). SEAL Survival Guide. New York, NY: Gallery Books

Hurricane and Tornado

HURRICANE:

When a storm system has sustained winds at speeds of 74 mph or greater, it is classified as a hurricane (Courtley, 2012). Hurricanes are life threatening and should be taken seriously, like most other natural disasters. Wind speed determines the storms potential hazard. What is scary about a hurricane is that even if you are in a house, if it is braced inadequately the pressure from a hurricane can literally make the house implode. Deadly debris also poses a risk during hurricanes.

BE PREPARED:

The forecasting of hurricanes has improved a great amount. That being said, it is important to properly prep in case of an emergency. You should cover all openings in your home, and make sure the straps that attach the roof to the wall plate of your house are properly nailed. Also, you should tie down or remove external lawn furniture, trim overhanging trees and know how to turn off electricity and gas (Courtley, 2012).

SUPPLIES:

• Medications for yourself and family members for at least a week
• A good first aid kit
• WATER!!
• Nonperishable foods
• Cell phones that are fully charged
• Important documents
• Cash
• Sleeping bags
• Flashlights

(Courtley, 2012)

If you find yourself outside when the threat of a hurricane occurs, you should abandon your vehicle (if you are in one) and find shelter immediately. If you cannot find shelter, lie flat on the ground ideally in a ditch or large rock. It is important to stay as close to the ground as possible.

WAIT: If it seems to get quiet, don’t assume the threat is over. Ever heard the saying “Quiet before the storm”? If it seems quiet, you may be in the eye of the storm and this calm may only last a few minutes before the violent winds return (Courtley, 2012).

TORNADO: More deaths occur each year from tornadoes than from hurricanes. They form rapidly, and warning time is much shorter. Home preparation is the same as for hurricanes. You should have a designated safe room, and practice what to do in case of a tornado.

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References:

Courtley, C. (2012). SEAL Survival Guide. New York, NY: Gallery Books

Flash Floods, Flooding, Tornadoes

FLASH FLOODS:

In the SEAL Survival Guide, Courtley defines flood as “An unexpected surge of flowing water”. Just reading that sentence, you get a feel for what a flood is. The adjectives like SURGE and FLOWING suggest something powerful, and potentially dangerous. In the U.S. flooding is the number one cause of weather-related deaths (Courtley, 2012). Common causes for flash floods include heavy rainfall, melting snow, or dam breaches. Some areas are more likely to experience flood than others. This may include places surrounded by rivers and lakes, or those at low elevations. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the U.S Geological Survey have maps showing likely flood areas (Courtley, 2012). This can be helpful when you’re deciding where to live, visit, etc.

WHAT TO DO:

DURING: If you are at home you should turn off all electrical power, close windows and get to the highest level. It may be helpful to bring a tool up to the highest level or possibly attic with you in case you have to escape through the roof (if flood waters get very high). If you are in a vehicle, Courtley suggests that you DO NOT attempt to drive through the water. I think that we assume we can handle certain conditions, and sometimes take risks like trying to drive through water and that could have serious consequences. If you find yourself in a situation where water rises rapidly around your car get out IMMEDIATELY. If you are outdoors, try to head towards the highest ground. You should try to avoid walking or swimming in floodwater, because during a flash flood it is often filled with dangerous debris and irregular currents (Courtley, 2012).

AFTER: Usually if the water is due to the flash flood, it will recede quickly. It is important to avoid getting into the water. Drink only bottled water because public drinking water will be contaminated. The best place to be until a safe means of evacuation arrives is usually your shelter, if it is secure and stocked up on water and nonperishable foods.

TSUNAMI:

“Harbor Wave” is what the word Tsunami means in Japanese. It is a massive wave caused by earthquakes or underwater volcanic eruptions on fault lines out in the Ocean. The wave builds up as it approaches the shoreline, and they can reach more than two hundred feet (Courtley, 2012). They cause an incredible amount of destruction and often give short notice of their approach. I remember reading about Tsunamis, and what scared me is how people rarely know when they are coming. I think that it is important to be alert and know that if an earthquake occurs, a Tsunami may follow. Courtley talks in the book about a Tsunami in Hilo Bay, where before the wave hit people noticed the Ocean receded from the tide line exposing schools of fish. People rushed out to get the fish, and were confronted by the massive wave. I have heard this story before, and it really shows how important it is to educate people on warning signs in order for them to be prepared. If these people had known that this was a sign a Tsunami was imminent, it would have saved lives.

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References:

Courtley, C. (2012). SEAL Survival Guide. New York, NY: Gallery Books