Just a couple of random thoughts…

Zamora ran toward the wrecked SUV and stepped into an electrified pool of water. She was immediately –- and fatally — electrocuted, struck by what firefighters estimate was 48,000 volts of electricity.

  1. Your safety is important. You’re not helping the first responders if you give them two casualties to work on instead of one. I know Ambulance Driver has brought this up repeatedly, especially in the Confessions of an EMS Newbie podcast, but: make sure the scene is safe, or at least as safe as you can get it, before you go rushing in trying to save people.
  2. After the Northridge earthquake, Stewart Brand did a piece about his experiences for the old Whole Earth Quarterly. Something he said has always stuck with me. Brand talked about the earthquake hitting, getting out of his car, and trotting off down the street with the intent of helping people. He then went on to list all the potentially useful stuff (like a jack) that he left behind in the car. Brand’s Rule: “First, collect your thoughts. Then, collect your tools.”

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