12-3-08 Red Cross First Aid

Tonight's meeting was all focused on emergency preparedness. There is a surprising amount of preparation your family can do before a crisis occurs and your Brownie Scout can help!

First, we discussed what items your family might need in an Emergency Kit. Whether it's an earthquake or a wildfire that might force you from your home, the girls learned that your family needs supplies to be self-sufficient for 3-5 days minimum. Here's a partial list the girls came up with:

1. A sturdy, easy to carry container, like a large duffel bag or rolling trash can
2. water (1 gallon per person per day)
3. food (non-perishable)
4. can opener
5. flashlight
6. battery operated radio
7. tools
8. extra batteries
9. blankets and clothing
10. medication
11. first aid kit
12. pet supplies (water, food, medication)
13. sanitary supplies (sponge, soap, paper plates, plastic silverware, trash bags, toilet paper)
14. money

The Red Cross website has a complete list of supplies needed, as well as compact First Aid Kits for purchase. Consider keeping a First Aid Kit in each car as well as one for your home.

Our troop also learned about beginning First Aid, specifically splinting and arm or a leg.

Suppose an earthquake happens, and a member of your family or a neighbor is injured from falling furniture. You think they might have broken their arm. While you're waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you need to splint the limb to prevent the injury from getting worse.

The girls learned how to split both an arm and a leg using just magazines or cardboard and rag strips. Check out our splint teams:









Elena and Lilly

Keniah and Maddie

Lindsay and Tayler

Christine and Montana