.png)
For some of us, living near water is a luxury that is filled with beauty, calmness, and a feeling that is sometimes unmatched by any other location in the world. On the other hand, some of us don’t live near it. Nonetheless, that water finds us. What I’m referring to is of course lakes, rivers, creeks, and oceans. They are beautiful and yet they can turn into monsters, simply by merging with the storm. The storm may provide rainfall that could last for a few days, and when that happens, the water level rises and approaches those homes that happen to be next to it, or further away from it. Let’s take a look at what happened in Texas. Some call it monsoons; some call it punishment; and some call it hell. Nonetheless, it happened and the results were disastrous. The rain came down, day after day. And the water began to rise to levels that entered the homes of many people. Some tried to escape in their cars, but to no avail. Some people found out the hard way that cars are not flotation devices, as some were seen floating upside down, or even on its side down the street. Those who believed that they were good swimmers attempted to leave their cars to swim to dry land. They quickly found out that they were no match. The power of this water can be relentless, regardless of how well you may think you can swim. Many lives were lost. When the rain ceased and the clouds dispersed, the water level remained the same. Some people felt that this was relief, but later found out that after the storm comes another one, not in the form of water, but in the form of invaders who live in and near the water. These invaders are mosquitoes, water bugs, larva, and critters, including water snakes, frogs, snails, and so on. In one particular incident, an elderly woman whose house was flooded ankle-deep splashed her way to the bathroom. She lifted the toilet lid in preparation to use the pot. To her surprise, she noticed a very large water moccasin (a very poisonous snake) coiled in the toilet. She screamed and called for help. As she did this, she reached for the shower curtain and pulled it back in an attempt to keep her balance. What she noticed in the tub made her scream even louder; it was another water moccasin. It is important to know that living near water has its luxuries, and its dangers. In order to be safe, one must consider the possibility of higher ground. Although this may not be an option, caution should be taken every time extended rain storm occurs; especially when it causes a flash flood, what’s created (sometimes) afterwards is more dangerous than the water itself. One other thing to consider when water enters your home is the real fact that the electricity is still on. Therefore, the water reaches a light socket, or an electric cord, there is a sure fact that someone will be electrocuted. Surely, nobody wants that. In the event that someone is bitten by one of these water snakes, it is important to stay calm. The snake really doesn’t want anything to do with you, except that you just invaded its space. Step away from it, and dial 911. Simple first day measures that can be taking is to sit down and keep your extremities lower than your heart. In some states, first aid measures include ice. However, in the vast majority of other states, ice is not referred, but to just simply leave it alone and wait for the paramedics to arrive. Should the victims of the water snakes happened to go in cardiac arrest (their heart stops), CPR is the preferred first aid treatment. If you don’t know it, it’s about time you learned, because these floods and storms are considered to be disasters, and disasters will always occur. Whatever kind it turns out to be, it can cause severe injuries to the point where people need cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and basic first eight. Finally, what comes out of the storm can turn out to be a disastrous event, or it may turn out to be something good. Nonetheless, preparing ourselves is the best defense, and learning basic first aid, as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation can make a difference in the outcome of what comes after the rain.
.jpg)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Ennis is an Advance Life Support caregiver providing emergency care, training, motivating and educating on a national level for over 35 years with strong concentration and enormous success in business consultation, motivational and safety speaking, minor project management and customer service management. Ennis has been a Supervisor and Associate Supervisor in California, Okinawa Japan, and S. Korea with experience in leading teams and managing large groups of personnel.
More articles by the writer
For some of us, living near water is a luxury that is filled with beauty, calmness, and a feeling that is sometimes unmatched by any other location in the world. On the other hand, some of us don’t live near it. Nonetheless, that water finds us. What I’m referring to is of course lakes, rivers, creeks, and oceans. They are beautiful and yet they can turn into monsters, simply by merging with the storm. The storm may provide rainfall that could last for a few days, and when that happens, the water level rises and approaches those homes that happen to be next to it, or further away from it. Let’s take a look at what happened in Texas. Some call it monsoons; some call it punishment; and some call it hell. Nonetheless, it happened and the results were disastrous. The rain came down, day after day. And the water began to rise to levels that entered the homes of many people. Some tried to escape in their cars, but to no avail. Some people found out the hard way that cars are not flotation devices, as some were seen floating upside down, or even on its side down the street. Those who believed that they were good swimmers attempted to leave their cars to swim to dry land. They quickly found out that they were no match. The power of this water can be relentless, regardless of how well you may think you can swim. Many lives were lost. When the rain ceased and the clouds dispersed, the water level remained the same. Some people felt that this was relief, but later found out that after the storm comes another one, not in the form of water, but in the form of invaders who live in and near the water. These invaders are mosquitoes, water bugs, larva, and critters, including water snakes, frogs, snails, and so on. In one particular incident, an elderly woman whose house was flooded ankle-deep splashed her way to the bathroom. She lifted the toilet lid in preparation to use the pot. To her surprise, she noticed a very large water moccasin (a very poisonous snake) coiled in the toilet. She screamed and called for help. As she did this, she reached for the shower curtain and pulled it back in an attempt to keep her balance. What she noticed in the tub made her scream even louder; it was another water moccasin. It is important to know that living near water has its luxuries, and its dangers. In order to be safe, one must consider the possibility of higher ground. Although this may not be an option, caution should be taken every time extended rain storm occurs; especially when it causes a flash flood, what’s created (sometimes) afterwards is more dangerous than the water itself. One other thing to consider when water enters your home is the real fact that the electricity is still on. Therefore, the water reaches a light socket, or an electric cord, there is a sure fact that someone will be electrocuted. Surely, nobody wants that. In the event that someone is bitten by one of these water snakes, it is important to stay calm. The snake really doesn’t want anything to do with you, except that you just invaded its space. Step away from it, and dial 911. Simple first day measures that can be taking is to sit down and keep your extremities lower than your heart. In some states, first aid measures include ice. However, in the vast majority of other states, ice is not referred, but to just simply leave it alone and wait for the paramedics to arrive. Should the victims of the water snakes happened to go in cardiac arrest (their heart stops), CPR is the preferred first aid treatment. If you don’t know it, it’s about time you learned, because these floods and storms are considered to be disasters, and disasters will always occur. Whatever kind it turns out to be, it can cause severe injuries to the point where people need cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and basic first eight. Finally, what comes out of the storm can turn out to be a disastrous event, or it may turn out to be something good. Nonetheless, preparing ourselves is the best defense, and learning basic first aid, as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation can make a difference in the outcome of what comes after the rain.
Vlad Magdalin
