Boating Safety – Lifejacket Basics

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Life jackets available for every boating activity.

While boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket on board for every person on their boat, boating safety advocates recommend that everyone on board wears a life jacket at all times while boating. Accidents on the water happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. Drowning is the reported cause of death in 76 percent of all boating fatalities – and 84.5 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket in 2017.

Life jackets available for every boating activity.
Modern life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know.
    
Life Jacket Fit

Make sure it fits

You don’t want your life jacket too large or too small. A snug fit is a proper fit. Remember, life jackets for adults do not work for children.

Make sure the life jacket is properly fastened
All straps, buckles or zippers are secure
Hold your arms straight up over your head
Ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up
Additional tips including cleaning and storage tips check:

Health Exhaustion Signs/Symptoms/First Aid

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Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you’ve been exposed to high temperatures, and it often is accompanied by dehydration.There are two types of heat exhaustion:

  • Water depletion. Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.
  • Salt depletion. Signs include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness.

Although heat exhaustion isn’t as serious as heat stroke, it isn’t something to be taken lightly. Without proper intervention, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Confusion
  • Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle or abdominal cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Pale skin
  • Profuse sweating
  • Rapid heartbeat

webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion#1

Supplements and Prescription Medications – What You Need to Know

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by Lauren Chars

The use of supplements has become very popular as a way to promote well-being and prevent deficiencies.  However, using certain prescription medications concurrently could lead to dangerous consequences that may cause more harm than help. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider and pharmacist before starting or stopping a supplement.  The following are some common combinations to watch out for:

Fish oil

Common uses: High cholesterol, cholesterol imbalance, prevention of heart disease

Interactions: Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelets), some blood pressure medications, certain oral contraceptives

Fish oil has been shown to decrease platelet aggregation and can thin your blood more than desired, increasing the risk of bleeding when taken with other blood thinners.  In addition, certain blood pressure medicines and birth control pills may be prevented from working properly when taken with fish oil.

CBD Oil (Cannabidiol)

Common uses: Epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, pain, and many others!

Interactions: benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin), sedatives (i.e. Ambien), warfarin, topiramate, valproic acid, and several others

Although CBD is the hot topic recently and is too new to have all of the data we need to assess its safety, there are some medications known to increase your risk of an interaction.  Before starting CBD, be sure to check your medication list with a pharmacist to make sure you will stay safe!

Ginkgo:

Common uses: Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, memory support

Interactions: Benzodiazepines/anti-anxiety medications, warfarin and other blood thinners, cholesterol medications (i.e. atorvastatin).

Commonly used to aid memory, ginkgo can interact with blood thinners, sedatives and some cholesterol medications if used inappropriately.

St. John’s Wort

Common uses: Depression, mood disorders

Interactions: Other antidepressants, migraine medications, dextromethorphan cough syrup, warfarin, oral contraceptives, and many others!

There are few medications that St. John’s Wort does not interact with and it is very important to check with a health care professional before you start this supplement!

Melatonin:

Common uses: insomnia, jet lag, other sleep disorders

Interactions: Alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedative hypnotics, some antihistamines (i.e. Benadryl), opioids, muscle relaxers

Other medications that cause drowsiness can interact with melatonin, so it is always good to check with a pharmacist before you take more than one medication before bed.

Ginger

Common uses: treatment and prevention of motion sickness, vertigo, morning sickness in pregnancy

Interactions: warfarin, aspirin, blood thinners

Like fish oil, ginger may increase the risk of a bleed if not used with caution when taking blood thinners.

Supplements can improve your health in many ways, but it is essential to assess the benefits versus the risks before taking them along with other medications.  A good rule of thumb is let your healthcare provider and pharmacist know each time before you start or stop a new supplement!

Sources:

  • National Institute of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets. Accessed June 18, 2019 at https://ods.od.nih.gov/
  • Miller LG. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern Med 1998:158;2200-11. Accessed June 18, 2019.
  • Natural Medicines.  Therapeutic Research Center.  Summerville, MA.  https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/  Accessed June 18, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Much Water Do You Need?

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How can you know if you’re getting enough water to keep your metabolism cranking at peak efficiency and your digestive system functioning? The formula used to be “one size fits all” — eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. But that’s changed, experts say.

Fluid Pouring in Pint Glass

How can you build more water consumption into your day? Try these tips:

  • Carry an insulated sports bottle with you and fill it up periodically.
  • Keep a glass of water on your desk at work.
  • Keep another glass next to your bed. Many of us wake up dehydrated first thing in the morning.
  • Switch one glass of soda or cup of coffee for a glass of water.
  • Drink small amounts of water throughout the day. Six glasses all at once isn’t good for you!

http://webmd.com/diet/features/water-for-weight-loss-diet#3

Financial Health: P2P Payments – A New Kind of Fraud

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Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms like Apple Pay, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App, offer a fast and convenient way to settle restaurant bills with your friends and send money to your family. Unfortunately, they are also becoming a popular payment method for scammers.

NCL has recently received an increasing number of complaints from consumers who report that they’ve lost money after a fraudster asked them for payment via a P2P payment network. One complaint we received from a consumer in Indiana is typical of the scam:

“I found a website that claims to sell French Bulldog puppies. …Once you pay [for] them using Zelle, they promise to ship the puppy the next day. After the puppy shipped, I was contacted by ‘the shipping company’ who said the puppy passed all its health exams, but they needed a payment of an additional $900 for insurance.”

After the consumer paid the “insurance,” the shipping company came back asking for an additional sum for added on fees. The consumer never received the puppy, even after paying all the additional fees.

Although the example above is also an example of the very common puppy scam, we have also received reports of fraudsters requesting payment via a P2P payment service for other types of scams including the fake check scam, romance scam, and the online retail/classified advertisement sale scam. Many consumers mistakenly believe that P2P payment systems have protections similar to a debit or credit card since many P2P payment systems are affiliated with banks. This is not true. Once you send money via a P2P payment system, it is nearly impossible to get the money back or refunded.

While the P2P payment scam can be costly, there are several steps you can take to avoid falling victim to this scam:

Don’t use P2P services to purchase products. If an online retailer requires payment via a P2P payment service, it is probably a scam.

Only pay with P2P services to people you know. P2P payments are meant to be used between friends and family, or with people you know well and trust, like your hairdresser or a babysitter.

Double- and triple- check the address, username, or phone number of the person you are trying to send money to. If you make a mistake, and send the money to the wrong person, it can be very difficult or even impossible to get the money back. If you are worried you may have the wrong person, double-check the email address/username, and try sending a small amount first to confirm that your intended recipient received it.

Opt-in for stronger security. Almost every popular P2P platform offers the ability to create a personal identification number (PIN). Once the PIN is created, a user will be required to enter it when they open the app, or before they are able to transfer money. This extra layer of security can help protect your money if your phone falls into the wrong hands.

Have you been a victim of a P2P payment scam? We want to know! You can file a complaint at Fraud.org via our secure online form. We’ll share your complaint with our network of more than 90 law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners who can and do put fraudsters behind bars.

www.fraud.org/p2p_alert?utm_campaign=june_2019_alert_7&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ncl

RED, WHITE & FIND SOMETHING TO DO

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 IPL Downtown Freedom Fest: Bring the whole family downtown to the Indiana War Memorial grounds and enjoy everything from bounce houses, foods trucks, and live music. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket so you can comfortably watch the tremendous fireworks display at 10pm. They are set off from Regions Tower, one of the tallest building in Indy!

Symphony on the Prairie: Take a mini road trip up to Conner Prairie on Indy’s north side and enjoy the sounds of the Star Spangled Symphony. It’s music to your ears… literally! Great for all ages and also features a fireworks display as the grand finale.

Indianapolis Indians vs Toledo Mud Hens: Because what’s more American than a soaking up some sun at a baseball game with a ballpark frank in hand? After the game, stick around for an on-field fireworks show! The game starts at 6:15pm but come early, the first 12,500 fans get a free Indianapolis Indians rally towel.

First Friday Food Truck Festival: It’s so popular, they moved it to Thursday! Bring a big appetite and indulge in your choice of over 30 of the most delicious food trucks that Indy has to offer. It’s hosted at the Old National Centre so if you make it past the food coma, you’ll have one of the best views for the downtown fireworks!

Head over to to find even more ways to spend the holiday in Indy!

visitindy.com/indianapolis-things-to-do?npclid=EAIaIQobChMI8rHdxtbm4gIVA9RkCh2RbAc-EAAYASAAEgILTfD_BwE#loadedpage=1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=visit%20indy&utm_campaign=Indy%20Geo%20Modified

Wherever you decide to celebrate our wonderful freedom, don’t forget these important health/safety tips:

  • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen generously, preferably with an SPF of 30 or higher
  • If hosting a party, store medications safely away from any children, pets, or guests
  • Make sure you have an open area away from houses and trees to set off any fireworks
  • Consider ear protection for very young children when watching fireworks displays

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes!

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Shalom Health Care Center is hosting its 13th Annual Dr. Dannee Neal “Back to School” Health Fair! They will be providing health screenings, wellness educations, and more to families who seek care regardless of their ability to pay!

Last year, 2,510 people were given access to these services, and 757 various health screenings were offered to people in need! A total of 1,500 backpacks, containing school supplies, were distributed and 60 bikes were given away in the raffle!

Shalom can make this possible with your help! Show your support for the community and aid in providing patients access to healthcare by becoming a sponsor!

Visit:  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/shalom-dr-dannee-neal-back-to-school-health-fair-registration-53113581151?aff=ebdssbdestsearch for more information or contact Morella Dominguez at mdominguez@shalomhealthcenter.org for additional questions.

  • Saturday, July 20, 2019 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM EDT
  • Shalom Health Care Center
  • 3400 Lafayette Road
  • Suite 200
  • Indianapolis, IN 46222