Talk of the Town: Playing it safe in a medical emergency

Nobody wants to think about possible medical emergencies, but when you dial 9-1-1, you want help NOW.

The truth is, unexpected obstacles can slow things down and in the worst case scenario, that could cost you your life. Here are a few hints that emergency medical technicians wish you knew, thanks to First magazine and syndicated talk show personality, John Tesh:

Blinking lights help ambulance crews find you faster. House numbers are hard to find, especially at night. You can help by telling the 9-1-1 dispatcher that you’ll be using a light signal so emergency personnel will know to look for it.

You can even get an emergency flashing bulb like the 9-1-1 Beacon from www.safetythink.com, which transforms into a flashing porch light to help EMTs and neighbors get help to you fast. The 9-1-1 Beacon is an ordinary light bulb that becomes a flashing signal for help with the flip of a switch. The 9-1-1 Beacon is two products in one! It is simply your everyday porch light or lamp light.

Pets can cause a dangerous delay. Even friendly ones. In some cases, paramedics won’t even enter your house if you have pets running around loose. If possible, have a family member lock up your dog before paramedics arrive.

Tailing an ambulance slows them down.

One EMT remembers transporting one man to the hospital, but the man’s anxious brother was following so closely on the freeway, there was less than a car’s length between them. Since ambulances often have to stop suddenly as they maneuver though traffic, the driver was worried about a collision.

So, they slowed down, and a 10-minute trip turned into a 20-minute one.

The advice: Let the paramedics race your loved one to the hospital, and follow at a normal speed. After all, it’s better to arrive at the hospital a few minutes after the ambulance than to need an ambulance yourself after an accident.

There’s a new group in town!

The Green Valley chapter of L.I.F.E launched its first meeting last November.

L.I.F.E. stands for “Lowery is Fun and Easy” and is sponsored by Lowrey Organ company out of Chicago.

Green Valley L.I.F.E. President Sharon Holliker and Vice President Tom Shultz admit that there are many such groups throughout the country, but that this is the first for Green Valley. All local players are affiliated with Fletcher Organ Studio of Green Valley.

The group’s aim is to play and share their love of music with the community. The student organists are available to play for any group, party or celebration, and the best bargain is that the concerts are free.

“Today’s organ has so many sounds and styles that you think you are listening to a whole orchestra, like big band, Latin, waltz, pop and many more,” says Holliker.

Although not professional entertainers, they know many of the nostalgic songs from the 20s, 30s and 40s, as well as more recent tunes and holiday music. The classic standard songs are always the most popular with the audience members often singing along, and even dancing.

Fletchers Studio in the Continental Shopping Plaza transports the organ for the group to play and to date they’ve entertained folks at Silver Springs, Del Coronado Apartments, Desert Pines and at the recent Quail Creek Expo. The group is entertaining today at the Continental Shopping Plaza for the sidewalk sale.

Current L.I.F.E. members include: Sharon Holliker, Tom and Tee Shultz, Bob and Betty Beier, Jane Bezouska, Marion Brochu, Doree Brooks, Bud and Alice Brown, Clay Crawford, Tony Cremonese, Ed and Marge Crowley, John and Phyllis Fatzinger, Mary Ann Pereckas, Phil and Margie Pitzer, Bill Scott, Mary Lee Bitner, Larry and Sandy Slater, Patti Smith, Glenn Vanderweile, Mary Beth Wallace, Michael J. Waters, Janna Culberg, Tom West, Phil and JoAnne Whalley, Patty and Allen Wilber and Jean Wisdom.

For more information about scheduling a free concert or joining the group, call Sharon Holliker at 648-0690 or Tom Shultz at 648-1259.

The Minnesota Club of Green Valley is once again celebrating the accomplishments of St. Urho, the patron saint of Finland. The club will gather at Desert Hills Center Sunday, beginning at 5 p.m. for refreshments, followed by a short program reviewing the accomplishments of St. Urho at 5:45 with dinner at 6 p.m. Entertainment will include The Fiddlers, who just might be Irish, according to the organizers. Should you care to join them, call Minnesota Club President Rhoda Helgemoe Serrin at 393-0404.

St. Urho’s Day is celebrated on March 16, the day prior to the better known feast of some minor saint from Ireland (their words, not mine), who was alleged to have driven the snakes from that island.

The Finnish legend says St. Urho chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland, thus saving the grape crop and the jobs of Finnish vineyard workers. He did this by uttering the phrase: “HeinŠsirkka, heinŠsirkka, mene tŠŠltŠ hiiteen,” roughly translated: “Grasshopper, grasshopper, bug off!” or words to that effect. His feast is celebrated by wearing the colors royal purple (for grapes) and Nile green (for grape leaves and grasshoppers). It’s their story and they’re sticking to it.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740