There has been a lot of talk around here about zombies. This got me to thinking about zombies and the Red Cross. Obviously, we’re complimentary groups of people: The Red Cross is well-known because we help people prepare for and respond to emergencies, and, well, a zombie apocalypse is something to be prepared for.

This led me to the interwebs to do some research on this possible Red Cross/zombie relationship, and I found a lot of evidence that led me to believe that there is such a strong connection between us because zombies might actually LOVE the Red Cross. I know zombies are the walking dead, void of all emotions and dead set (pun intended) on consuming brains, but I think there’s some sort of soft spot in their dead hearts for the Red Cross.

Here is my evidence:

Run for Your Lives

This zombie infested run that has the goal of “destryoing” its participants may not seem like the most Red Cross-loving event one could stumble upon; however, the Red Cross is the charitable partner for this race. So technically, the zombies are chasing down runners to support our mission – and I think that’s sweet. I asked the co-race director, Derrick Smith, why he thought this was a good partnership. His response was, “When people think of a true zombie apocalypse scenario there tends to be a lot of bloodshed and general chaos, which is why the Red Cross was a natural fit to partner with. The Red Cross is the top organization out there for taking care of people in emergency situations, so we were more than happy to donate a portion of every ticket sale to their cause.” Photo courtesy of Happy Go Lucky Photography

Night of the Living Donors – Zombie Blood Drive

In Portland, the Zombie Squad took it upon themselves to partner with the local Red Cross to host a blood drive to help them be prepared in case of a zombie invasion. The Zombie Squad has been a great Red Cross partner over the years by helping us spread important disaster preparedness messages (I particularly like their Bug Out Bag) – in fact, their mission is similar to ours: “Zombie Squad’s mission is to educate the public about the importance of personal preparedness and community service, to increase its readiness to respond to disasters such as earthquakes, floods or zombie outbreaks.” Neat-o!

I asked Nate Warren, who helped coordinate the blood drive, why he thought zombies loved the Red Cross so much. His response was, “I think zombies love the Red Cross because, for one, they have an insatiable hunger and we can provide tastier alternatives to the boring and redundant diet of brains. Whether we’re dishing out cookies at blood drives or cooking up meals at disaster sites, it’s nearly impossible to find the Red Cross representing without “noms” nearby. Also, while most scream at the sight of the undead, the Red Cross prides itself on impartiality, and serves as a neutral force in conflicts as guardians of the Geneva Conventions and other treaties surrounding international humanitarian law. Finally, let’s get real: zombies smell and probably don’t know it. It’s time to bring the Red Cross humanitarian mission to the formerly living and reach out with comfort, understanding and rubber gloves.”

Hmmm, good point, Nate.

World Zombie Day
Lastly, I sought out another Red Cross connection – this time in the super prepared state of Colorado. Last year, the chapter published this extensive article on zombie preparedness in honor of World Zombie Day – however, I found that Colorado was far more concerned with helping people prepare for the zombie invasion rather than trying to embrace our undead friends. Patricia Billinger noted, “I think zombies fear the Red Cross because we build the type of neighborhoods that know how to band together, get out and fight back!”

So maybe the relationship between the Red Cross and zombies truly is a complimentary one. Zombies are giving us something to prepare for, and we’re giving our communities the tools and opportunities to be prepared. However, in my mind, if zombies truly didn’t care about YOU or the Red Cross, they wouldn’t be trying to gnaw brains during a race, or showing up to blood drives.

Deep down inside, I believe the zombies want you to be prepared so the unprepared are easier to pick off when the zombie apocalypse happens.

If so, consider becoming a lifeguard!

Lifeguards are responsible for the safety and rescue of people in a defined body of water, such as a swimming pool or a swimming area in a lake, as well as in the area immediately surrounding the body of water (the deck around a swimming pool or the beach next to a lake). Taking a page from the mission statement of the American Red Cross, the ultimate goal of a lifeguard is to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to (water-related) emergencies”.

Available to individuals 15 and older*, American Red Cross lifeguard training is – as it should be, considering lifeguards are literally guarding the lives of the children and adults at their swimming venue – extensive and comprehensive. Class participants are taught CPR/AED, First Aid, surveillance and rescue skills, and risk management through videos, group discussions, and hands-on practice both in and out of the swimming pool. Participants are also required to pass three separate swimming challenges, as only strong swimmers are eligible to become lifeguards.

My sister became a lifeguard the MINUTE she turned 16. She began working as a lifeguard one month later, and now, 14 years later, she still lifeguards and teaches swimming lessons every summer. (She’s an elementary school teacher, which allows her to spend her summers at the pool.) She’s gone on to become an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor, Water Safety Instructor, and Instructor Trainer, and has made a life and a living out of teaching children how to swim and keeping both children and adults safe when they enjoy time in the water.

So if spending the summer helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to water-related emergencies sounds like your cup of tea, consider becoming certified as an American Red Cross lifeguard and pursing a job at your swimming pool or beach.

To find lifeguarding classes, swim lessons, or water safety instructor courses in your area, contact your local aquatic facility and ask them about their Red Cross training courses OR contact your local Red Cross Aquatics Representative.

*Tweens and teens between the ages of nine and 15 can train to become junior lifeguards, a position that allows them to learn from and work with experienced lifeguards in preparation for eventually receiving their lifeguard certification.

Want to be sure you’re prepared to take care of your furry loved one? Follow the below tips.

PET FIRST AID
Courses are available at many Red Cross chapters on how to care for your pet. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic responsibilities like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters. Visit Redcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available. The Guides are available through the Red Cross Store.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy:

• Give pets plenty of exercise.
• Make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Make sure they get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
• Get pets spayed or neutered.
• Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available

EMERGENCIES AND YOUR PET
Don’t forget to include pets in planning for emergencies in your home or neighborhood:

• Make plans to take your pets with you if you have to evacuate.
• Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities will accept pets in an emergency.
• Assemble an easy-to-carry kit with emergency supplies for pets:
• Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
• Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
• Medications and copies of medical records
• Current photos of the pets

Pet First Aid Awareness Month is a great time for people to learn how to protect their pet and keep them healthy. More information on how to keep pets in good health are located on the Red Cross Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist.

Now, two weeks later, it feels like summer where I live in Texas. One of our three city pools opened last weekend, and we spent Sunday afternoon reacquainting ourselves with the back float and the breaststroke. We’ve already gone through two full bottles of sunscreen, and all of our sweatshirts and jeans have been boxed up and stored under the beds.

Summer may still be two months away, at least according to the calendar, but it’s time to start talking about how to prevent and respond to heat-related emergencies.

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all conditions caused by over-exposure to heat. Heat cramps are the least severe of the three conditions, but if left untreated heat cramps can lead to heat exhaustion and eventually heat stroke.

First, here’s what you can and should do to prevent all three of these heat-related conditions:
- Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day (usually between 11am and 4pm).
- Drink extra fluids before, during, and after activity. Stick with water and sports drinks and avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, sugary, and extremely cold beverages.
- Dress appropriately for the temperature in lightweight, light-colored, well-ventilated, and loose-fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Take frequent breaks in shady or air-conditioned areas.
- Change your activity level according to the temperature.

And second, here are the signals of and treatments for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke:

Heat Cramps
Signals
- Muscle spasms, most often in the legs

Treatment
- Move the person to a cooler place and have them rest in a comfortable position.
- Lightly stretch and gently massage the affected muscle.
- Replenish fluids – one glass of cool water every 15 minutes.

Heat Exhaustion
Signals
- Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Nausea, dizziness, and exhaustion

Treatment
- Move the person to a cooler place and have them rest in a comfortable position.
- Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths.
- If the person is conscious, replenish fluids – one glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
- Observe the person carefully, watching for changes in his/her condition.

Heat Stroke
Signals
- Hot, red skin (can be dry or moist)
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Vomiting
- Changes in consciousness

Treatment
- Heat stroke is life threatening. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.
- Move the person to a cooler place and have them rest in a comfortable position on his/her side.
- Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths.
- If the person is conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink.
- Continue to cool the person by using ice or cold packs on the wrists, ankles, groin, and neck and in the armpits.
- Observe the person carefully, watching for changes in his/her condition and regularly checking breathing and circulation.

Summer is a wonderful time of year, especially if we play it safe!

Speaking of…

What started as an interest in the Titanic grew to an obsession when, as a freshman in college, I may or may not have seen James Cameron’s blockbuster movie 10 times in the theaters.

As I watched this movie over and over again, the lines between reality and fiction began to blur. My equally-obsessed friends and I spent far too many late nights lamenting over Jack’s death at the hands of the sea and pondering what he could have done differently in order to have survived and gone on to live a full and happy life with his beloved Rose. We really should have been studying.

Eventually my interest in Titanic (the movie) diminished and the laminated poster of Leonardo DiCaprio came down off my wall. I forgot all about the scene in the movie when, after the ship sinks and Jack and Rose are struggling in the water, Jack insists Rose lie on the floating wooden door while he clutches her hands and his body dangles in the cold, dark ocean. Until I took my next Red Cross First Aid Basics class, that is.

Don’t get me wrong – I didn’t need a first aid class instructor to tell me that Jack, Rose, and the other passengers on the Titanic suffered from hypothermia. What I hadn’t been able to figure out (or Google, since we weren’t yet Googling back then), was why the cold led to Jack’s death and not Rose’s.

Did you know that heat is lost more quickly in water than on land? Water temperatures that would be quite tolerable as air temperatures can quickly lead to hypothermia. A water temperature of a seemingly warm 79 degrees (F) can lead to death after prolonged exposure, a water temperature of 50 degrees can lead to death in around an hour, and a water temperature of 32 degrees – like the ocean water on the night the Titanic sank – can lead to death in as few as 15 minutes. Scary stuff.

Most of the time (though not in Jack and Rose’s situation), hypothermia – when the body’s core temperature drops below the temperature required for normal metabolism and body function – sneaks up on its victims. Whether in the water or not, what starts out as just a chill can escalate from mild to moderate to severe hypothermia in a short period of time if the person remains in the cold or even cool environment.

We don’t necessarily think of spring and summer as times of the year when hypothermia is an issue; we tend to worry instead about heat exhaustion and heat stroke. But right now, warm temperatures during the day draw people outside without extra layers of clothing, and then suddenly cool or even cold temperatures at night can lead to serious problems for those who aren’t prepared.

So in the name of spring weather preparedness, here are a few tips to keep yourself and your family safe from hypothermia this season and throughout the year.

Prevent hypothermia:
- In cold temperatures, wear warm, multi-layered clothing as well as hand, feet and head protection. In ALL temperatures, bring extra layers so that should the weather or your environment change unexpectedly you can keep warm and dry.
- Change into dry clothes whenever becoming wet.
- Find appropriate shelter when temperatures drop.
- Drink lots of water to improve circulation.

Signals of hypothermia:
- Shivering, numbness, glassy stare
- Apathy, weakness, impaired judgment
- Loss of consciousness

What to do for hypothermia:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Move the person to a warm place.
- Monitor breathing and circulation, and give rescue breathing or perform CPR if needed.
- Remove any wet clothing and dry the person.
- Warm the person slowly by wrapping them in blankets or putting them in dry clothing. Warm the core – NOT the extremities – first.
- DO NOT warm the person too quickly.

Very few of of us will find ourselves victims of a shipwreck, dangling off the edge of a wooden door in the middle of the freezing ocean. Thank goodness. But many of us will encounter weather or environments that can and will lead to hypothermia if appropriate actions aren’t taken. Be prepared!

This is Audie. He came to us from a rescue group with only one eye. He had spent a long time there since a German Sheppard mix with one eye seemed to worry people. Turns out we won the doggie jack-pot. He is the most gentle, loving dog ever. He rarely barks, never steals food off the counter and most importantly he has never-ever touched any of my shoes.

For Audie, we always have doggie eyewash nearby in case he gets something in his eye. When you only have one, you better keep in good working order! For Massoud—our elderly, deaf malamute—we ensured that extras of his medication were in our disaster kit so we could just grab it and go. I always have a spare leash handy just in case. Animals with diminished senses, off leash can be especially dangerous. We find our house sitters through recommendations from our vet because they have a better understanding of how to take care of special needs animals and how to respond in case of emergency.

Just a little training and a few simple steps can make all the difference. Years ago I bought the American Red Cross Pet First Aid book and read it cover to cover. Now we have classes to go along with the Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides and I highly recommend them. I was able to save my cat’s life after he choked while gobbling down cat food way too fast. Just that little bit of knowledge saved us from heart break. Who ever said cats were graceful???

These crazy animals have been such joys. They make me laugh, keep me active, keep me company and just overall make life so much more fun. I would do anything for them and preparedness is a simple way to ensure they stay as safe and happy as the human members of my family.

As Katniss ventures into the the arena, she will need Sponsors that will provide valuable supplies to help her win. We decided to be Katniss’ “Preparedness Sponsor” and would provide her with the following items to be prepared for staying in the arena for multiple nights in unpredictable conditions.

Backpack

We chose this little drawstring bag for a few reasons. First, it has a nice personal first aid kit included in it. If Katniss had too many first aid supplies, she might be a target for other groups, but a single kit keeps her under the radar (it even has safe drinking water for when she’s in a pinch). Secondly, the bag has strings, and we all know how important rope can be when you’re wandering around the woods trying to catch stuff and avoid people. Lastly, the bag can be used for collecting water or carrying food! It’s a multi-tasking machine!

“Space” Blanket

While this may not look like much, a space blanket will be a wonderful sponsor gift. Not only will it help keep Katniss warm on freezing nights, it can also help protect her from the rain (or capture rainwater!).

If you were Katniss’ sponsor, what would you send her and why? Leave your answer in the comments section below.

“Red Cross goes high-tech” - how social media aids disaster responses [NECN via NBC]

Eton radios - stay on top of those weather warnings [Pinterest market]

Water safety ads from the Brazilian Red Cross - remember, safety first! [Pinterest | see here for all kinds of safety tips]

World Water Day 2012 – The World is Thirsty Because We Are Hungry - how will you celebrate WWD this Thursday? [YouTube]

Red blood cell-shaped mini soaps - reminding us that only 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives [Etsy]

Nonprofit Data Visualization: a Gallery - how nonprofits show their work through pictures and graphics [Chronicle of Philanthropy blog]

Please share any suggestions for our next WWR post!

If you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t followed through – at least not 100% – on your New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps you resolved to start volunteering, or to donate blood more regularly, or to finally take that CPR class…and now here it is March, and you still haven’t signed up for an orientation, made an appointment to donate, or registered for the class.

What are you waiting for?

Don’t let the month of March – a perfect opportunity to finally act on those resolutions – pass you by without taking a step toward getting involved with the American Red Cross as a volunteer, blood donor, or class participant.

Here are the basics:

• If you’d like to donate blood, visit our blood donation website and enter your zip code. You’ll be immediately directed to a page listing all of the upcoming blood drives in your area. Follow the instructions to schedule an appointment online and then show up – it’s that easy!
• If you’d like to volunteer, click on the link to your chapter’s website, and then on the heading on the chapter’s homepage that reads, “Volunteer”. (Each chapter’s website is slightly different, but all will have links on their homepages with similar – if not identical – headings.) You’ll be volunteering before you know it! You can also call your local chapter to get information on volunteering.
• If you’d like to take a class, enter your zip code here.
• If you’d like to donate money, visit our donation page at redcross.org to see a variety of ways to donate.
• If you’d like to become a Red Cross Hero, sign up to help fundraise here.

I also encourage you to contact your local American Red Cross directly, as many chapters host incredibly unique and fun special events, fundraisers, and outreach opportunities (CPR Saturdays, Health and Safety Fairs, Heroes Fundraising Campaigns, etc.) in honor of March is Red Cross Month.

So, what are you waiting for?

What are you doing to keep me safe in here?

January is National Bath Safety Month. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to four years, and approximately 100 children under the age of five drown in bathtubs, buckets, or toilets each year. Drowning can occur in just seconds and in only TWO INCHES of water.

My mom often tells the story of finding me, as a toddler, stuck upside down inside my toy box. I had flipped forward onto my head while attempting to pull a stuffed animal from the bottom of the box, and there I remained – feet straight up in air – until my mom heard my cries for help and pulled me out. This scenario could just as easily have played out with a bathtub, bucket full of water, or toilet in place of the toy box, and with a much more devastating outcome.

Bathroom drowning, just like home swimming pool drowning, is preventable. The American Red Cross has compiled a great deal of valuable information on keeping infants and children safe in and around water in your home (links below), but here are a few of the most important and potentially life-saving recommendations:

- Empty bathtubs and buckets immediately after use, and use safety locks on toilets.
- Never leave infants or young children unattended in or near water.
- Never trust an older child to supervise a younger child, or trust a bath seat to keep an infant safe.
- Never allow children to roughhouse in the bathtub.

For more information on Water Safety in Your Home, click here, and for more information on Watching Children Around Water, click here.