My heart is broken for the victims of the Boston Marathon and their families and friends and for the people of Boston, whose joyous celebration of Yankee tenacity was so sorely put to the test. And tested though they were, it was life-affirming to see everyone rush to the blast sites instead of away. Many people acted heroically to ensure the victims were not only aided but were not alone in their moment of despair; they came together as a true community of kindred souls proving that empathy and compassion and love are of the utmost importance during times such as this.
So what can we all do to act in a proactive way instead of a reactive way? We have many more tragedies in front of us in the coming years, y'all, both natural disasters and manmade disasters. As I've said time and again, we must come together as a community (as we saw in Boston yesterday). Here are some suggestions:
1) Donate blood, today and in the future. Help keep our blood supplies full and ready to use.
2) Pack an emergency kit in your car and at your home. Along with bandages, keep some duct tape on hand - it will cover a wound and keep bacteria out, plus it can staunch the flow of blood. It's obviously not sterile, but it's a whole lot better than leaving a wound open and festering. Pack a small bottle of witch hazel: this will clean and sanitize open wounds. Pack a little honey (raw buckwheat is preferred, but whatever you have on hand will do): it's antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and keeps wounds moist while smothering bacteria. Pack a small bottle of lavender and tea tree essential oils - a few drops of each in the witch hazel doubles the antiseptic effect. A small pair of scissors will come in handy, as will any clean cloths. Advil, aspirin, NSAIDs are also a good idea and anything else that you feel will be beneficial. Every six months or so replace the NSAIDs, honey, essential oils and witch hazel to ensure optimum freshness.
3) Learn First Aid. This is vital!
4) Learn CPR - again, vital!
5) If you're traveling, find out where emergency rooms and urgent care centers are in the areas in which you'll be. That thunderstorm you spot in the distance can become a tornado in the blink of an eye, and cell phone coverage may be nonexistent when you want to call for help.
6) Keep a blanket in your car at all times. Shock victims especially need to be kept warm since their blood pressure and body temperature often dip precariously low.
7) If emergency responders are on scene, ask what you can do to help: direct traffic, hold a victim's hand, help lift a victim onto transport. If the responders tell you to back up, back up! Let them do their jobs; after all they train rigorously for emergencies.
8) Keep calm. I know this sounds way simplified, and when you're in the midst of an emergency, it's a pretty difficult task. However, get your mind set on helping others, and start using that brain of yours for solutions. Once you get over the initial shock and horror, spring into action! Place your focus totally on helping instead of blaming - it matters not one iota who did what because the damage is done, and it's time to think of the victims' welfare. Let the police sort through who dunnit - your job in that moment at time is to help the victim(s)!
9) Project love at the scene. That loving energy will now be zooming around instead of sheer terror and horror. The dark can only be vanquished by the light, so as you help your fellow souls, go ahead and project love and empathy and compassion. The victims will feel it, it gives them hope, and it helps dispel the dark if only for a moment at a time. But those moments are precious, y'all! Project the love.
