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MY INDIA- SAFE INDIA I.

Life Saving Education, Safety, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , , ,

A HAPPY 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL MY READERS FROM INDIA AND ACROSS THE WORLD.

Independence brings upon us great glory but at the same time, increases responsibility in whatever we do. We have the power in us to reach great heights. The heights reached by independent India have been well documented and known to the entire world. The strides we have made as a Nation are enormous and made us the talk of the world. Euphoria of celebration is in the air all over the country and let us all soak in the moment. India takes pride in how far we have come as a country and Indians have incredible faith in how far we can go. Let us take India to unimaginable heights by just doing a bit more than what we do. But to achieve all this, Safety is paramount. I have been doing my bit for the past 3 years writing on First Aid, Fire Fighting and Rescue, Motivation. As I enter into my 4th year of blogs, I thank each and every one of you for the unstinted support. More than the praise, it was the critical feedback which has helped me improve.

Jaggy and Maggie have created a lot of awareness on various aspects of first aid through their conversations. Most of the readers believe that they should have a lot of conversations. In a fresh series of conversations, they will be discussing a lot of aspects on Safety. Safety is ever evolving and this is my attempt to make India and the world as a whole, a safer place to live in.

Over to Jaggy and Maggie.

Maggie: “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, JAGGY!”

Jaggy: “Yes. HAPPY 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY TO YOU TOO!”

Maggie: “75 years and we have grown so much, is it not?”

Jaggy: “We have grown to a large extent and the world knows it.”

Maggie: “We are indeed a great country, Jaggy and I am proud of that.”

Jaggy: “Me too, Maggie, at the same time I want to make it a Safe Country, too.”

“Maggie: Are we not safe in the country? What do you mean?”

Jaggy: “My meaning of a Safe country is to minimize loss of life and injuries everywhere across the country.”

Maggie: “Everywhere?”

Jaggy: “Yes, ‘everywhere’ meaning home, work place, roads, travel, occupational, behaviour, leadership and health.”

Maggie: “I get it, but I have a question. What is Safety?”

Jaggy: “Safety is everything. It is a Culture, which when implemented and imbibed, makes life a lot easier.”

Maggie: “Please explain in simple terms. I don’t want your philosophy.”

Jaggy: “Safety is an easy ABC. Always Be Careful.”

Maggie: “How can we be careful at all times? Is it practically possible?”

Jaggy: “Not every time but most of the time.”

Maggie: “How can we be careful at all times?”

Jaggy: “By taking responsibility.”

Maggie: “How?”

Jaggy: “Your first responsibility is towards yourself to not get injured. Second responsibility is towards your family. When we are injured, they suffer. Third responsibility is towards your organization and for the people whom you work with. Fourth, it is for the country and your countrymen.”

Maggie: “You mean to say Safety is the responsibility of every one.”

Jaggy: “Without a doubt.”

Maggie: “Can you give me more clarity on this.”

Jaggy: “Let me tell you a story. In a school, a girl was studying in the primary class. She used to be good in studies, sharp at grasping and excelled in whatever she did. Yet the teacher was perturbed.”

Maggie: “Why?”

Jaggy: “The girl though outstanding in the class was very shabby in appearance. Badly dressed, poor hygiene. The teacher used to wonder what is wrong with the kid till one fine day she took action.”

Maggie: “What action did she take?”

Jaggy: “She followed the girl to her home. While following her, she came to know that this girl came from a place which was filthy and dirty. The less said about the home of the girl and the parents. This shocked the teacher but also spurred her into action. One fine day, she took the girl home, bathed her, dressed her in new clothes and sent her home.”

Maggie: “Wow!”

Jaggy: “On seeing the girl come home dressed and looking beautiful, the parents even wondered whether it was their child. Realisation sank in. They looked at themselves in the mirror and their house. They immediately cleaned themselves, the house and also painted it with whatever minimum resources available. Seeing one house clean and painted, all the residents cleaned their homes, the streets and the area. In just a short time, from a filthy dirty area, it became the most beautiful area in the town.”

Maggie: “All because of one teacher taking up responsibility.”

Jaggy: “With Freedom comes great responsibility, and when all of us take it up, can we not make our country great but safe too?”

Maggie: “What else do we need to do to be careful?”

Jaggy: “Avoid unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.”

Maggie: “What?”

Jaggy: “Will tell more about it soon. Enjoy the extended Independence Day week end safely.”

Maggie: “You too.”

Jaggy: “Jai Hind.”

Maggie: “Jai Hind.”

The Indian Armed Forces say THE MORE WE SWEAT IN PEACE, THE LESS WE BLEED IN WAR. When all of us make Safety a responsibility, India can be great and safe.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

A Responsible and Safe Citizen of India.

LIVE LIFE SAVE LIFE –ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK.

Allergy, BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, Education, First Aid, Life Saving Education, , , , ,

Hello readers! Trust all are safe and doing great in your lives. It has been a couple of months since my last blog. Was busy with training people and travelling. Hereinafter shall make sure I post blogs regularly every month. In this blog, Maggie and Jaggy discuss a medical emergency known as Anaphylactic shock, its symptoms and first aid.

Over to Jaggy and Maggie.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy!”

Jaggy. “Hello Maggie! How was your trek and where did you go?”

Maggie: “It went well Jaggy. We went to the Queen of the Hills of South India.”

Jaggy: “Great! You had been to Ooty.”

Maggie: “Jaggy recently we had a situation in our office, and we did not know what to do at that time.”

Jaggy: “Oh, I see! What was the situation?”

Maggie: “One of our friends suddenly went sick when one of my friends brought a plate of peanuts to eat. The girl sitting next to him suddenly felt sick.”

Jaggy: “That must have been a bout of Anaphylactic shock.”

Maggie: “What?”

Jaggy: “No need for such a reaction. It is the word used to define the sickness associated with Allergies and the reaction to it.”

Maggie: “Can you explain it a bit more clearly?”

Jaggy: “Anaphylaxis is a severe potentially life- threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within minutes of exposure to something you are allergic to such as peanuts, bee or insect stings or even certain food items.”

Maggie: “Oh! Now I understand.”

Maggie: “What are the symptoms and how does one recognize this?”

Jaggy: “Symptoms usually start within minutes of exposure to the allergen. Sometimes the symptoms appear later. The symptoms are skin reactions including hives, itching, flushed or pale skin. Drop in blood pressure, constriction of airways, a week and rapid pulse, nausea, dizziness, or fainting are also common.”

Maggie: “Oh, I see!”

Maggie: “So, what does one do when said symptoms occur?”

Jaggy: “The first thing to be done is to take the victim to the hospital immediately in whatever possible way. In many countries, people with allergies carry an epinephrine autoinjector. If the person has one, take it and inject it midthigh and monitor the victim. In many countries epinephrine auto injectors are not in use. People who suffer such reactions if known carry the related medicines.”

Maggie: “What else can be done while taking the person to the hospital?”

Jaggy: “You can loosen tight clothing and cover him or her with a Blanket. If you find vomit or blood in the mouth, turn the victim to one side to prevent choking. Seek medical help quickly. The victim may have to spend a few hours of monitoring in the hospital.”

Maggie: “Do we give CPR?”

Jaggy: “No not if the victim is breathing.”

Maggie: “Any short way I can remember this?”

Jaggy: “Glad that you asked. The procedure is called AMPLE. A- ALLERGY M- MEDICATION P- PREVIOUS HISTORY L- LAST MEAL E- EVENT. You can ask these questions based on these words.”

Maggie: “Great Jaggy. It is a pleasure always talking to you. You really keep things simple.”

Maggie and Jaggy will be back to discuss many more such incidents and events. Till my next blog,

Stay Safe Be Safe. Live Life Save Life, and keep the comments, suggestions coming.

Seshadri Varadarajan

LIVE LIFE SAVE LIFE – HEAT STROKE/HYPERTHERMIA

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, Education, First Aid, Heat Stroke, Life Saving Education, Live Life, ORS, , , , ,

Hello Readers!

Thank you all for the support you all give me by reading my blogs. The bouquets inspire me and the brick bats make me aware the need for improvements. As I was wondering what to write, one of my training assistants came up with a suggestion. He told me that as summer was on in most parts of the world, I could write on the First aid measures for Hyperthermia commonly known as Heat Stroke. Jaggy and Maggie precisely discuss this and will offer you valuable tips on summer care.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy!”

Jaggy: “Hi Maggie! Trust all is well with you.”

Maggie: “Yes, Jaggy I am fine and on top of the world.”

Jaggy: “Good to hear that.  I remember last time you had told that your friends and you were planning on a summer trek.”

Maggie: “Yes Jaggy. The planning has been done and we plan to do it in the month of May.”

Jaggy: “That’s good but May will be very hot. There is every chance of someone being affected by Hyperthermia.”

Maggie: “There you go again. What on earth is Hyperthermia?”

Jaggy: “The opposite of Hypothermia.”

Maggie: “Oh, I see. Now I understand. I think it is commonly known as Heat Stroke or Sun Stroke right.”

Jaggy: “Yes. During summer, due to the hot weather many people suffer from Heat Stress which if not attended also results in Heat Stroke.”

Maggie: “Do People die because of that too?”

Jaggy: “Yes. A lot of people die due to it. Hence, one should know the symptoms and first aid for the same.”

Maggie: “Can you explain in detail please?”

Jaggy: “Heat Stroke or Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature which is the most serious and life threatening.”

Maggie: “Oh my God!”

Jaggy: “This happens due to increase in body temperature beyond 104 Deg Fahrenheit. It causes damage to your brain and other organs.”

Maggie: “How is it caused?”

Jaggy: “It is caused by strenuous physical activity in extreme conditions of heat.”

Maggie: “What are the symptoms and how to identify the same?”

Jaggy: “The symptoms are 1. Dry mouth. 2. Cramps in the muscles. 3. Dizziness. 4. Blurred Vision 5. Nausea and Vomiting. 6. Fainting 7. Red Hot skin.”

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHERMIA

Maggie: “What is the First aid for the same?”

Jaggy: “First get the person to a cool and ventilated place, an area where there is shade. Remove the upper clothing if you can. Cover him with a towel or a bed spread. Keep on pouring a lot of water over the person. Pour it till the temperature goes down. If the person is responsive and able to drink, give him any drink with electrolytes like Coconut water or ORS solution. If the person has still not recovered, rush him to the nearest hospital.” “If not responding and no breathing perform CPR.”

Maggie: “ORS? what is that?”

Jaggy: “ORS is Oral Re-hydration Solution. In India popularly known as Electral Powder.”

Maggie: “Can we give plain water”?

Jaggy: “Yes, but ORS will give the victim the important electrolytes like Salt and Sugar.”

Maggie: “Are sports drink useful in these situations?”

Jaggy: “They are if you have them. As a First aider I would prefer ORS.”

Maggie: “Thank you so much for your clear explanation. What other precautions can we take during the trek?”

Jaggy: “Wear Cotton clothes, keep drinking plenty of water, take breaks if the sun is too hot and avoid soft and hot drinks if you can. Carry ORS sachets or liquids and keep your medicines handy at all times.”

Maggie: “Can we prepare ORS ourselves at home?”

Jaggy: “Yes. The method is to take a glass of water add a tea spoon of sugar and a pinch of salt and stir it completely. Drink as soon as it is ready.”

Maggie: “Are there more heat related conditions?”

Jaggy: “There are. We will discuss later as summer has just started.”

Maggie and Jaggy will be covering more heat related conditions in the next conversation. Take care folks and make sure you are hydrated at all times. It has been extremely hot wherever in India I had been to in April. Keep sharing the blog with your loved ones and keep the comments coming.

Till then Stay Safe Be Safe.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

LIVE LIFE SAVE LIFE EPILEPSY

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, Education, First Aid, Life Saving Education, , , ,

Maggie and Jaggy are back in this blog to discuss a first aid scenario for an often-misunderstood emergency known as an Epileptic Fit attack. They will not only tell the readers the correct first aid but debunk certain myths too. So, over to Maggie and Jaggy.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy, how are you?”

Jaggy: “Excited to be alive Maggie!”

Maggie: “Excited to be alive? A new one from you.”

Jaggy: “Nothing new Maggie. I believe that Life is for Living.”

Maggie: “Saving it too if need be right!”

Jaggy: “Absolutely.”

Maggie: “Recently when I was going on the road, a young boy about 20 had an epileptic fit attack and people were standing around not knowing what to do. Can you tell me the correct first aid for an epileptic fit?”

Jaggy: “Sure. An Epileptic Seizure as it is called in medical terms, occurs to many people. It is usually more evident in Children and Young people though elderly persons too can experience seizures. It is commonly called an Epileptic Fit.”

Maggie: “Oh, I see!”

Jaggy: “It is basically a disorder of the nervous system which results in increased electrical impulses in the brain and because of which the body of the person trembles violently. These attacks usually do not last for a long time.”

Maggie: “What is the first aid if one sees someone having an Epileptic attack?”

Jaggy: “First and foremost, do not touch the victim when he is trembling. They are difficult to handle during the seizure. Wait for the convulsions to stop.”

Maggie: “What next?”

Jaggy: “Once the trembling stops, the victim usually falls. The first aider must ease the fall and make the victim lie down on a flat surface.”

Maggie: “You are telling me that one needs to wait till the intensity subsides.”

Jaggy: “Exactly. Once the victim has been made to lie down, check the response of the victim. If the victim is not responding call the ambulance and check breathing. If the victim is breathing, you place him in Recovery Position.”

Maggie: “Recovery Position? What is that?”

Jaggy: “It is quite simple. All you need to do is make the person lie down on one side, either the left or the right. The left side is better than the right as the heart lies in the centre and slightly tilted to the left to prevent a medical term called Aspiration.”

RECOVERY POSITION

Maggie: “Can we give him water or liquids to drink?”

Jaggy: “Absolutely not. You never give water or liquids to a person who is not responding. The water will enter the lungs of the victim and can be fatal.”

Maggie: “Okay I understand. But I have seen people give iron rods or keys for such incidents from where I hail.”

Jaggy: “Yes, I know that. All that is a myth. It is neither scientific nor medically correct. In some places, they even make the victim smell leather shoes or onions. Medically, Recovery position is the correct first aid.”

Maggie: “Often I have seen froth coming out of the mouth. Is it dangerous?”

Jaggy: “It is not froth but saliva that comes out and it is harmless. There are occasions where victims bite their tongue too but that’s not so serious. Trained paramedics use a Hook shaped like the alphabet J to prevent a victim from biting their tongue.”

Maggie: “Do we do CPR for an Epileptic attack?”

Jaggy: “No. Usually the victim is not responsive but breathing. Only if there is no breathing, we begin CPR.”

Maggie: “Do people affected by Epilepsy wear any identification so that one can easily help during and attack and can also inform the Emergency services of the problem.”

Jaggy: “Thanks for asking the question. They usually wear a medical bracelet or band which informs others that they have a medical problem. Not only epilepsy but certain diabetics too wear them.”

WRIST BAND IDENTIFICATION

Maggie: “Thanks, Jaggy for the clear explanation.”

Jaggy: “Always a pleasure to share Lifesaving knowledge Maggie.”

Jaggy and Maggie will be having more conversations on various aspects of First aid. Till then Stay Safe, Be Safe. Keep the comments and suggestions flowing.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

LIFE IS FOR LIVING.

Live Life, , , , , , , ,

‘A HAPPY REPBULIC DAY TO ALL MY READERS IN INDIA AND THE WHOLE WORLD TOO.’

It was on the 26th of January that India became a Republic with a Constitution of its own. Everyone of us need to have a constitution to be adopted personally to live our lives in the way we want.

Thank you so much for the feedback on my last blog, the Egalitarian life. A lot of you have expressed happiness on the article which shows that you all approve what I express through my writing. So, in this blog too, I have decided to continue the same concept.

I have always believed that Life is Beautiful, and one should Live Life to the fullest. But off late, there has been a trend for many to take their lives rather than live. As I was thinking about it and discussing the same with my friends, the lyrics of another song came to my mind.

Pyar na Karna Nafrath Karna Seekh liya,

Sab Logon ne Ladna Marna Seekh liya,

Inko Jeena Kaun Sikhaye,

Ek Ritu Aaye,

Ek Ritu Jaaye,

Mausam Badlena,

Badle Naseeb.

The above lyrics are from a popular song from the movie Gautam Govinda released in the year 1979. The song talks about the famine that raged across some states of India during that time. The words in the above stanza mean that we should continue to live life no matter what.

Pyar na Karna Nafrath Karna Seekh Liya  Learnt not to love but to hate,

Sab Logon ne Ladna Marna Seekh Liya      Everyone has learnt to fight and die,

Inko Jeena Kaun Sikhaye                               Who will teach them to Live?

The words written in the lyrics are prophetic. Humans have learnt to hate, fight kill and die but have never learnt to love. It is so easy to Hate rather than Love. We have all learnt to fight and die but have never learnt to live. Everyone is interested in Do or Die rather than Live and Let Live. Throughout our lives we have been taught that Life is not easy, and you must fight every day and every inch.  Unless you fight, you cannot succeed. My question is simple, what are we fighting for so much that we have forgotten to Live? The simple things in Life don’t matter anymore!

Happiness is in the small things that we enjoy unabashedly. Instead of just enjoying the Joy of Living, we are forever in a race to achieve. I am not by any chance here, advocating that one should not aspire for Success or achieving goals, but focus also on Living Life to the fullest. Today, gadgets are there to measure your stress but no gadgets to measure Happiness. Was a Happiness Meter ever invented?

My guru once told me, you don’t need a reason to feel happy. I would say you don’t need a reason to enjoy life. Live Life as it is, as you want.

Ek ritu aaye Ek ritu jaaye. A season comes, A season Goes,

Mausam Badle na Badle Naseeb. The weather never changes but Fate Changes.

Seasons will come and go, Friends will come and go, Enemies will change, Success comes, Problems arrive, continue to Live. As they say in Hindi, Jaan Hai toh Jahan hai. If you have life, the world is yours.

The Pandemic has thrown many lives off gear including mine. However, let us Live Life as Life is for Living.

Maggie and Jaggy will be back in the next blog to discuss saving lives, till then

Stay Safe, Be Safe and Live Life.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

THE EGALITARIAN LIFE!

Education, Innovation, Life Saving Education, , , , , , ,

WISH ALL MY READERS, FRIENDS AND WELL- WISHERS A HAPPY PROSPEROUS AND SAFE NEW YEAR 2022.

May this year be a Great and an Abundant one for all of us. Jaggy and Maggie are taking a break and will be back soon. All through the month of December I was thinking what to write and even before I could start writing, the month was over. After a long thought, the decision was to write a piece on ‘Motivation’ as thus far, I have been writing more on Saving Lives rather than Living life. In this blog, I want to pen a few lines which could motivate people during these tough times.

Aate hain log,

Jaate hain log,

Paani ke jaise rele,

Jaane ke baad,

Aathe hain yaad,

Guzre hue ho mele,

Yaadein Mita Rahi hai,

Yaadein Bana Rahi hai,

Gaadi Bula Rahi hai,

Seeti Baja Rahi Hai,

Chalna hi zindagi hai,

Chalthi hi jaa rahi hai.

These lines in Hindi are from a famous song of the 70s from a movie called ‘Dost’, released in the year 1974. This number was a chart buster for a long time and even today, listening to it just elevates tempo. The song in general teaches ‘Life through the journey of a Train’. The lines above are one among the several verses of the song.

It says that

Aate hain log, people will come.

Jaate hain log, people will go,

Paani ke jaise rele, like waves of water,

Jaane ke baad, after they go,

Aathe hain yaad, we remember,

Guzrey hue who mele, a lifetime of memories,

Yaadein mitta rahi hai, memories are erased,

Yaadein bana rahi hai, memories recreated.

The very lines say that there are people who have come and gone in our lives. A few have been with us for long and few for a short time. Many are still with us in this world, and some have left us for a better world. We as humans sometimes never bother to be in touch with people and that we are busy with our own lives. One fine day, the news comes that they are not going to be there with us forever and that is the time all the memories come flooding to our minds. We remember them, the time spent, the funny moments, the tears that rolled and just about everything. Here I would like to tell all my readers take time to visit people. They could be your friends, relatives and even colleagues and associates at work. Pandemic time visiting and meeting people may be tough. Can we not at least call them over the magical devices that we have, rather than posting on the social media. Your visit, or even a call of just how you are can make a lot of difference to people. Let us not remember them after they have moved on forever.

The lines of the song meant the same. Spread love when people are there with us who create a Happy World. Let us erase the bad memories and create wonderful new ones.

Gaadi bula rahi hai, the train is calling, (beckoning)

Seeti baja rahi hai, it is blowing the horn,

Chalna hi zindagi hai, to keep moving, is life,

Chalthi hi jaa rahi hai, it just keeps on moving.

Just like a train, life keeps on moving and we too need to move on. From one success to another, from one thought to another, from unhappiness to happiness and from darkness to light. Let us keep moving. The character ‘Malcolm in the movie Jurassic Park’ says, ‘Life finds a way!’. We too can find a way in our life. Searching for it, is our job.

Towards the end of December, I had lost my Uncle who was an inspiration and motivation to me. He was a Sportsman and a Gentleman to the core and treated Life in the same way. I had visited him a couple of months back and he told me to keep reading books and writing whatever I can, as he felt that if I can make a difference even to one life, that would just be great. Wherever he may be, his spirit will continue to inspire me.

So let us make a difference to all, whom we come across. Till then Stay Safe, Get Vaccinated and as Vaccination in India is on for the teens, get them Vaccinated too.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

LIVE LIFE SAVE LIFE —–BURNS

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, Diwali, Education, First Aid, , , , , , ,

Wishing all my readers across the world a Happy Diwali. Diwali or Deepavali is a festival of Lights celebrated by all in India no matter to what religion they belong. There is a lot of Happiness, bonhomie among everyone who celebrate the festival. This day is celebrated by wearing new clothes, meeting people, distributing sweets, and of course bursting a lot of Firecrackers. So, in this blog Maggie and Jaggy will discuss how to deal with Burns. Over to Maggie and Jaggy. 

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy! Happy Diwali to you and your family.”

Jaggy: “Thanks Maggie and wish you and your family too a Happy and Safe Diwali.” 

Maggie: “I was expecting you would use the word safe.”

Jaggy: “Yes. Safety is my passion and profession and I want everyone to be safe especially when using firecrackers.”

Maggie: “What precautions we need to take while bursting firecrackers?”

Jaggy: “Just a few precautions are enough like 

1. Wearing Cotton clothes and proper footwear. 

2.Having two buckets of water nearby. 

3. Elders supervising the Children when they burst the firecrackers. 

4. Ensuring the oil lamps lit are not near flammable material like clothing. 

5.As far as possible lighting the crackers in open spaces. In case of fire on clothing remember to STOP, DROP ROLL.” 

Maggie: “That’s nice. Simple precautions yet people do not follow them.” 

Jaggy: “Correct. That’s the reason why we see a lot of burn injuries during these times.” 

Maggie: “Can you tell me about the burns Jaggy and what is the first aid for Burns?”Jaggy: “Burns to the skin are based on the skin itself. The human skin has three layers the Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. The burns are therefore called as First degree, Second degree and Third degree.”

Maggie: “Oh! Now I remember the biology lesson of the skin.”

Jaggy: “The first degree, burn affects the top layer of the skin and is usually superficial. There is pain, redness in the area and irritation for a few minutes and usually heals when given quick first aid. A second degree burn damages for the outer layer and penetrates to the middle layer and usually forms blisters at the burn site. The third degree, burn penetrates deeper into the inner most layer and can even cause damage to tissues and muscles. The area usually becomes black or grey in color and the damage is severe.”

Maggie: “You mean to say that if aid is not given on time the severity of the burn increases.” 

Jaggy: “Exactly. Hence quick first aid is imperative.”

Maggie: “What is the best first aid for a burn injury?”

Jaggy: “Burns to the skin can be through fire, chemicals, acids, hot water, steam and contact with any hot surface. Even an electrical injury can cause burns to the skin. The best first aid is to pour a lot of water on the affected areas for as long as you can. Pouring water cools the skin and water can penetrate to the deepest parts of the skin.” 

Maggie: “But many people say that water should never be used on a burn injury.”

Jaggy: “Those who say that are misguided. Water in fact has the best heat absorbing properties and is the best for any burn injury.” 

Maggie: “Now I get it. Is there other medication we can use like an ointment?” 

Jaggy: “Yes, you can if the area is sufficiently cooled with water.” 

Maggie: “What if blisters appear on the burn area?”

Jaggy: “Do not open the blisters. They will heal based on the treatment and time”. 

Maggie: “Do we need to take the victims to Hospital?” 

Jaggy: “Yes, that is always the best thing to do. Doctors are healers and they know better than first aiders like you and me.” 

Maggie: “There are lot of local treatments I have heard of like applying egg whites, using banana leaves and such is it correct?”

Jaggy: “They are not correct, and people do that in ignorance. These days there are burn gel liquids available in the market with sterile dressing and they can be used for the burn injuries.” 

Maggie: “One last question. I have heard that doctors treat based on percentages of burns. Can you throw some light on that?”

Jaggie: “Sure. It is calculated by the rule of nine. The front and back of the body is taken as 18% each. The legs are taken as 18% each. The arms including hands are 9% each. The head and neck as 9% and the genital area as 1%.” 

Maggie: “Thank you so much Jaggy. As usual you have given me the clear picture. See you soon. Stay Safe.” 

Jaggy: “Sure Maggie.” 

Festival times call for celebrations. Let us all celebrate but the pandemic is still not over, and we should still be careful. Stay Safe, Be Safe. 

Jaggy and Maggie will be back with more conversations.

Seshadri Varadarajan

LIVE LIFE SAVE LIFE HYPOTHERMIA

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, CPR, Education, Life Saving Education, , , , , ,

Thank you, readers, and my friends for all your support and comments on my last blog An Ode to Teachers. Trust all are safe out there and continuing to be safe. The surge of the pandemic seems to have slowed yet it is imperative on our part not to let our guard down. Jaggy and Maggie are back in this blog to discuss another situation on first aid which is HYPOTHERMIA. 

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy! Trust you are fine.”

Jaggy: “Yes, Maggie as always on top of the world.”

Maggie: “On top of the world as always. Good to hear that every time from you.”

Jaggy:” So, how was your trekking trip and did you encounter any Snakes?”

Maggie: “The trek went off very smoothly and we did not encounter any snakes thank God for that.” 

Jaggy: “Good to hear that and the trek seems to have refreshed you.” 

Maggie: “Yes, Jaggy it has refreshed me. I feel energised.” 

Jaggy: “Any situation you had encountered other than the aches and pains?”

Maggie: “There was one situation where we all got wet due to a sudden downpour. Most of us were ok but one of the guys was shivering very badly for a lot of time.” 

Jaggy: “Well, it must have been an attack of Hypothermia.”

Maggie: “Hypothermia what does that mean?”

Jaggy: “It is a medical condition for dropping of body temperature below normal.”

Maggie: “I know about body temperature, but could you explain a little more.”

Jaggy: “Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).”

Maggie: “How and when does this happen?”

Jaggy: “It happens when the body is exposed to extremely cold conditions like Wind, getting wet in cold water, and freezing temperatures whether indoors or outdoors. The person may be affected even if living in a home which does not have heating equipment in cold environs.” 

Maggie: “What are the symptoms and how do we recognise it?”

Jaggy: “It starts first with shivering, and then the skin becomes cold followed by mumbling or slurred speech and shallow breathing. The victim is usually confused as he is disoriented and there will be lack of energy and he may become drowsy. If not treated immediately it could lead to complications.” 

Maggie: “What do we do?”

Jaggy: “First get the person to a place of shelter out of the cold.  Remove wet clothing and pat the person dry. Put dry clothes on the person cover the body and head but not the face with blankets towels or even newspapers. Call for the local emergency services remained with the person until someone with more advanced training arrives if the person becomes unresponsive and he’s not breathing normally, or gasping give CPR.”

Maggie: “I remember now. One of our friends who is trained did exactly what you told and after some time, the guy recovered. We did not need the services of the ambulance or Hospital. It was scary though.” 

Jaggy: “Good Maggie. Your friend has done well. He might have even given him Hot Coffee to drink after a few minutes.” 

Maggie: “Correct but one of my other friends suggested to give him some brandy.” 

Jaggy: “Brandy or alcohol should not be given as it dilutes the superficial blood vessels and allows heat to escape making it even worse. The idea is to try and warm him up and in doing so never take him near places of radiant heat like a fireplace or hot water bottles as it causes burns to the skin.” 

Maggie: “Can we give him anything to eat if he is conscious.”

Jaggy: “Chocolates help as they are a high on energy.” 

Maggie: “What if it happens indoors?”

Jaggy: “Wrap up the person in a blanket. Give him hot soup or coffee or tea to sip slowly to regain warmth in the body. Minor Hypothermia can always be reversed but if severity increases it can be fatal.” 

Maggie: “What else can we carry apart from a first aid kit while trekking?”

Jaggy: “An extra sleeping bag, aluminium foils or wrappers can also be taken along, and oral rehydrating salts can be added too.”

Maggie: “Oral rehydrating salts what for?”

Jaggy: “In case you trek in summer. Nice talking to you Maggie.”

Maggie: “Thanks, Jaggy for all the inputs. Useful and lifesaving.” 

Maggie and Jaggy will be back with more in the next blog. Till then read, share, and teach so that we all can save a Life. See you all in my next blog.

Seshadri Varadarajan.  

AN ODE TO TEACHERS.

Education, Fire & Life Safety Education, Innovation, Life Saving Education, Teachers day, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

Hello dear readers! Trust all of you are safe and going about life in your own great ways. Life is Beautiful and let us all enjoy it always. 

Maggie has gone on a trekking expedition as she had told Jaggy. They will not be having a conversation this time around and they will be back for the next. In this blog I have decided to write about teachers as we all are nothing and would not have been whatever we are without them.

5th of September every year is celebrated as Teachers Day in India. On this day in 1888 a gentleman by name Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born in Tiruttani a part of the Madras state as it was called. This humble man rose from being a teacher to being the First Vice President of independent India and then went on to be the 2nd President of the country.  He was extremely popular as a teacher wherever he had taught. When he took the oath of office and secrecy his students approached him and wanted his birthday to be celebrated as a special day to which the great man replied let it be celebrated as Teachers Day in India. Such was the humility of this man who was awarded the highest civilian honour of India the BHARAT RATNA in 1954.

He said, “The true teachers are those who help us think for ourselves.” Nothing describes this more aptly than the story narrated below.

There was once a King who asked his council of ministers as to what is the profession which has made the kingdom what it is today?

Minister 1: “Dear King the Engineers are the ones who have made the kingdom what it is today as they have built the infrastructure without which there is nothing.”

King: “Then get the best engineer and let us reward him.”

Minister 2: “No my dear King it the Soldiers who protect the kingdom, otherwise we all would have been slaves.”

King: “Let us reward the best soldier too.”

Minister 3: “I feel it is the Doctors my dear king without whom all of us would have died of the various ailments that we have. It is due to them the wellness of the kingdom is Excellent.”

King: “Then let us reward the best Doctor.”

Minister 4: “Dear King Infrastructure, Army, Health care all require money to operate, and it is the business community that makes it happen.” 

King: “Let us reward the best businessman also.”

Soon the court of the king was filled with the best people from many professions and the dilemma faced by the king was whom to reward?

He turned to the Prime Minister and looked at him quizzically.

Prime Minister: “I knew it my dear King that when you are confused you will come to me. Please wait for some time.”

The Prime Minister went out and came back after a while. The tension in the court of the king was palpable till the Prime Minister returned. He came and along with came a frail old lady. Seeing the old lady all the best professionals who had gathered stood up with folded hands. The courtiers and ministers and in fact everyone in the court stood up. The King who was sitting all the while too stood up ignoring the fact that he as a king need not stand.

King: “Pray tell me dear prime minister who is this old lady and on seeing her everyone has stood up?”

Prime Minister: “She is the teacher who has taught most of the people in this court your Majesty and on seeing her the students naturally stood up.”

The story conveys the fact that Teaching teaches all professions. No matter what we are, who we are we all have been created by teachers. Even the teachers who taught us had their teachers. On this Teachers Day, I salute all the teachers who have graced my life. My parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, teachers, in school and college, my friends in my personal and professional life, my mentors and Gurus without whom I just don’t exist. Thank you for making me what I am today.

GURUR BRAMHA GURUR VISHNU GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARA

GURUR SAAKSHAT PARAMBRAMHA TASMAI SREE GURAVE NAMAH.

The words above in the divine language Sanskrit mean that the teachers are absolute and salutation to them. Just as a potter creates a pot out of mud, a sculptor creates a statue, a jeweller identifies a diamond from a rock it is the Teachers who help us discover ourselves.

Proud to have become a Teacher and Trainer in Emergency Response and, Human resource development. We are all teachers in a way. Let us learn and teach for ever as without teachers even teachers would not have been there.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

LIVE LIFE SAVE LIFE – SNAKE BITE

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, Life Saving Education, Snake Bite, , , , , , , , , ,

Thanks to all my readers for the bouquets and brick bats on my last blog on Vaccination in the series of Live Life Save Life. Trust wherever you are in the world you have got vaccinated at least once to protect yourselves and others. My sole idea behind writing these blogs is to reach out to a lot of people in the world. Requesting all the readers to share the blogs with all your friends and relatives so that every family can have a life saver in their home.

In this blog Jaggy and Maggie will discuss First aid for Snake bite. Though it is a known fact that snakes generally don’t bite people unless provoked or threatened yet we get frightened on seeing one. What to do if you get bitten? Jaggy and Maggie take over to tell us exactly that.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy How are you”?

Jaggy: “I am doing great Maggie and feel on top of the world”.

Maggie: “Thanks to you Jaggy I have got my first dose of Vaccination”.

Jaggy: “Great to hear that”.

Maggie: “As you are a trained first aider, I wanted to ask you something”?

Jaggy: “Go ahead and just ask”.

Maggie: “Was planning to go on a trekking trip with my friends in a national park and would like to know what to do in case of a Snake Bite”.

Jaggy: “Nice to know that. While trekking it is not about the planning and the equipment but knowing first aid too. For when you venture into the woods snakes can be around”.

Maggie: “That’s why I would like to know what to do”?

Jaggy: “Let me begin by saying that all snakes are not Venomous. Only a few are and they differ from place to place”.

Maggi: “Can you elaborate a little more”?

Jaggy: “Sure. Venomous snakes across the world belong to families like Elapidae, Viperidae, Atractspididae, and Colibridae”.

Maggie: “Come on Jaggy this is not a biological lesson. I want to know what to do when they bite and especially in India”.

Jaggy: “I was just giving you a basic intro but since you have asked me clearly shall get straight to the point”.

Maggie: “You better”.

Jaggy: “Ok. There are 5 types of Venomous snakes in India and they are”
1. The Common Cobra
2. The Krait
3. Russel Viper
4. Saw scaled Viper
5. The King Cobra

Maggie: “Oh! I see. Only 5 types. I thought there are many”.

Jaggy: “There are a lot of other venomous and deadly snakes like Inland Taipan, Black Mamba, and the Gabon Viper but they are not found in the Indian Sub-Continent”.

Maggie: “How deadly is the venom if any one of these snakes, bite”?

Jaggy: “It depends on what bites you. The venom is either neuro toxin, hemotoxin or cytotoxin. The Cobra and krait venom is neurotoxin, the vipers hemotoxin and the king cobra both neurotoxin and cardiotoxin. Neurotoxin means the venom attacks the nervous system, hemotoxin attacks the cardiovascular system and the cytotoxin attacks specific cell sites”.

Maggie: “It means the venom from different snakes, attack and destroy various systems in the human body”.

Jaggy: “Correct”.

Maggie: “How is the venom injected into the body”?

Jaggy: “The venom is injected through the fangs of a venomous snake, and they differ according to the species. So one needs to look for the fang marks at the site of the bite”.

Maggie: “How do we do that”?

Jaggy: “You need to look for 2 dot marks from which a little blood may ooze”.

Maggie: “What do we do then”?

Jaggy: “Once upon a time the practice was to suck the venom out using the mouth. It was very popular and shown in many a movie. Later on one used to tie a cloth or a Bandage tightly a few inches above the bite and then cut the wound with a knife or blade to draw out the venom”.

Maggie: “Oh my God! What is the right process now”?

Jaggy: “First and fore most do not make the victim walk. Calm down the victim.  Immobilize the limb completely using Crepe bandages.

Take the victim to the Government run Hospitals as they can and will administer the ASV (ANTI SNAKE VENOM) to the victim. If taking him to a private hospital check whether they administer the ASV”.

Maggie: “What if there are no first aid materials”?

Jaggy: “Do not make him to walk, take him immediately to the nearest Hospital. Watch out for symptoms like frothing in the mouth, breathlessness, swelling in the bite area, loss of function in the limbs. Keep talking to the victim to ensure he stays alert”.

Maggie: “What if he becomes unconscious and his breathing stops. Can we give CPR”?

Jaggy: “Yes you can”.

Maggie: “I’ve heard of something called as tourniquet. Can we apply that”?

Jaggy: “No. We should not do that”.

Maggie: “Thanks Jaggy for the help”.

Jaggy: “My pleasure. One word of caution wear ankle high boots on the trek to avoid snake bite”.

Maggie: “Sure will”.

Jaggy: “A parting question. What if a human bites a snake? Will the bite be venomous? Think it over”.

Jaggy and Maggie will continue their engaging conversations after some time. Keep reading and watching the space.

Seshadri Varadarajan.