In an emergency situation, every second counts. How quickly you respond can determine whether or not the situation has a happy ending. But unless you have been in a stressful emergency situation before, chances are that you have no idea how you will respond. Regardless of how many classes you have taken and certifications you have received, there is a good chance that you may freeze when an emergency situation arises. So what happens to the person in distress?
The same fear of freezing in an emergency situation prompted David Feder to invent the SafetyMate Emergency Instruction Device. Shortly after birth his newborn daughter stopped breathing. Though he was trained in CPR, David felt frozen and helpless. Thankfully he was in a hospital at the time, surrounded by medical professionals who were able to resuscitate his daughter. But what if he had not been in the hospital? What would have happened to his daughter? On that day David Feder committed himself to developing a product that would help him, his family, and others to respond to an emergency situation in a quick and effective manner.
The SafetyMate Emergency Instruction Device was designed with the lay or infrequent responder in mind. Unless you are an EMT, chances are you do not find yourself in emergency situations that often. SafetyMate offers clear, easy to understand instructions in both Spanish and English using protocols derived from the most current Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) and First Aid Guidelines as well as the Department of Homeland Security. It not only covers what TO DO in emergency situations, but also gives clear and concise instruction as to what NOT TO DO.
The Occupational version of SafetyMate Emergency Instruction Device is designed for businesses and includes directions for Unresponsive/CPR, Convulsions, Burns, Bleeding, Choking, Head/Neck/Spine Injuries, Chest Pain, and Amputation as well as Homeland Security Issues such as Chemical, Biological, and Radiation Threats and Explosions. Operation of the device is simple: the first responder presses the button next to the emergency situation listed on the device. SafetyMate asks a series Yes/No questions to which the user responds by pressing the clearly marked "yes" and "no" buttons on the device. The questions are presented at approximately a sixth grade level so most people can understand them.
The SafetyMate School/Daycare version designed as a backup for school administrative staff, athletic trainers, and nursing staff. Many school nurses have begun to use SafetyMate as opposed to standard first aid books. By using the SafetyMate, school staff can remain calm and focused in an emergency situation, helping to prevent unnecessary panic of the other children. The School/Daycare version does not include Chest Pain, Homeland Security, or Amputation, but does include Asthma, Bites/Stings, and Poison.
In many emergency situations, people find themselves hesitant to assist due to concerns over a possible lawsuit. While specific guidelines vary, Good Samaritan Laws have been passed in all 50 states to protect those who offer assistance to people in distress from lawsuits. General guidelines state that the responder is not legally liable for death, disfigurement, or disability provided that he or she acted rationally, in good faith, and in accordance with their level of training. Depending on your location, some Good Samaritan Laws only apply to those who are certified with basic first aid training. Check with your local library or a contact a legal professional for further details.
Richard Chandler researches, tests, and reviews innovative products for physical therapy, health, mobility, pain relief, and home fitness. For more information on this topic, Richard invites you to visit http://www.activeforever.com .