Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Triathlon
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Cherokee
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
WFR
"Hello, hello! Can you hear me? If you can hear me squeeze my fingers.... *Pinch*... She's not responding. She's not breathing. No pulse. Let's start CPR." After just completing a 3 credit-hour Wilderness First Responder class that was every day for 9 days from 0800 to 1800 plus a couple evening classes, I am ready to jump any time there seems to be a problem. It was an amazing class that I immensely enjoyed. Wilderness rescue was what we learned about--what to do when you are weeks away from civilization. We started with the most basic medical care, to doing everything possible to keep your patient alive after suffering from major trauma, environmental or medical problems. We practiced doing assessments, performing BLS (Basic Life Support), cleaning wounds, putting joints back in place, tractioning broken bones, making splints, making backboards, ruling out spinal cord injuries, when to start/when to stop CPR, transporting patients, and the list goes on... The awesome thing about the class was that we learned how to use resources that you would have with you while in the wilderness, like paddles, tent poles, backpacks, ropes, mattresses, webbing, etc. I will have to admit that although I do feel much more prepared, I'm a little bit apprehensive. Now I have a better understanding of how to save lives, and I will be expected to use it. I am accountable to use the skills I have acquired. The thought crossed my mind while taking this class, I have skills to potentially save someone's life. What if I am in the wilderness and come across someone dying, will I say, "That's too bad" and walk by on the other side? Of course not. But what if I meet someone who is dying spiritually? Do I just say, "I hope someone helps them!" and keep on walking? I have the ability to possibly save their life--what am I going to do about it?

