One trick i used to control fear and panic with my camp kids was to tell them to look at my eyes. Then to ask if i look scared and when they say no, i have them match their eyes to mine. I promise that I will tell them when we need to be scared but right now we are okay. With kids, a lot of it is panic attacks, to I take them through the "elevator breathing" excercise while I'm assessing damage. I tell them to imagine an elevator in their esophagus - breathe to bring it to the top, then let all the people off and on, and exhale it all the way to the bottom and again let people on and off. It works really well with kiddos, and I've had good luck with adults, too.
Good stuff, as always, wanted to just drop a note of appreciation. And PR I think.. I had no idea about your medical service, I like how we don’t really know that much and incrementally, the tidbits of life experiences lend an as-needed undeniable credibility with spot on urgency. I share everywhere, more people need to realize this is probably the only place to get information that is essential instead of the usual daily blather about everything from “Wait until 2026”, it’s gonna be OK” to “We’re fucked”. And constant begging for subscribers, hawking books or even slick “real” commercials. (OK, just venting,now.) And it’s become a move to almost all video, I subscribed for the writing and only Jack still consistently delivers above and beyond. Print and save and study.
Been cancelling even, wish I could get the balance refunded pro-rated and applied to the folks who still deliver.
Thank you for this life saving information Jack. I was in the medical field also. I’ve been around several people who panicked & froze because they didn’t know what to do. Being calm & focused is so important.
Great stuff Jack. I will study. Although it's maybe not directly relevant to this letter I want to share this link to a recent editorial in The Oregonian in hope that it will get amplified:
My husband had all of his teeth pulled out before we were married. One evening after we were married a few years, I made pork steaks for dinner. He was out on the patio eating his dinner when I heard his plate hit the ground and he was pounding on the side of the house. I never had any official training in CPR. Ever. I ran out of door and his lips were starting to turn blue. I pulled him up, turned him around and performed the Heimlich maneuver on instinct. I learned that procedure (or the basics of it) from... Mrs Doubtfire. So I know how to do that and chest compressions.
I have several health issues including severe anaphylaxis. I am allergic to a lot of shit. Mostly meds and environmentals, but laundry detergents, especially the cheap brands are the worst. I have went to the ER more time than I am comfortable with because of a simple hug.
There is a new nasal spray that replaces the EpiPen. Kind of like Narcan. The shelf life is a lot longer than the EpiPen too. My Allergist told me that there is a 3 year shelf life on it. I haven't had to use it for an emergency in years. I am glad that I get early warning signs so I can take my backup Benedryl and Prednisone if I have it. My last allergist gave me refills when I needed them, which was rarely, but this new one is going to be a tough nut to crack on that one.
Great info Jack for the non medical person. Having worked in the cardiac unit in the hospital and in home health care as an RN where you are on your own if something happens except for panicked friend or family that might be there. This is stuff people should print and put on their frig. .
Thank you for this. I am an Eagle Scout and spent 15 years as an adult leader at all levels of Scouting. During that time, I noticed a few patterns. First, Scouts are taught age-appropriate first aid from the age of 6 up, and every time they turn around. The first requirement of every merit badge for a physical activity is basically “how can you get hurt doing this and what do you do about it?” Another major pattern is that in first aid, the three main goals are to stop the bleeding, restart the breathing, and treat for shock, in that order every time. After that, you can look for other things that need doing. The final pattern for today is that when you know something about what to do, you do that, and you don’t panic. I’ve seen it happen in real life in situations both minor and very major, and when the actors are your Scouts, it’s fulfilling, too.
I think we nurses learn to be calm so we don’t scare the patients! But when I think of what I can offer, first aid is definitely one thing. I also have tons of linen-towels and sheets-and can stop bleeding and bandage. When it comes to Heimlich, I would have to tell a stronger person how to do it. Still considering doing a census of our block to see who has what skills and equipment. Thanks for all the info. You’re the best!👹
One trick i used to control fear and panic with my camp kids was to tell them to look at my eyes. Then to ask if i look scared and when they say no, i have them match their eyes to mine. I promise that I will tell them when we need to be scared but right now we are okay. With kids, a lot of it is panic attacks, to I take them through the "elevator breathing" excercise while I'm assessing damage. I tell them to imagine an elevator in their esophagus - breathe to bring it to the top, then let all the people off and on, and exhale it all the way to the bottom and again let people on and off. It works really well with kiddos, and I've had good luck with adults, too.
Good stuff, as always, wanted to just drop a note of appreciation. And PR I think.. I had no idea about your medical service, I like how we don’t really know that much and incrementally, the tidbits of life experiences lend an as-needed undeniable credibility with spot on urgency. I share everywhere, more people need to realize this is probably the only place to get information that is essential instead of the usual daily blather about everything from “Wait until 2026”, it’s gonna be OK” to “We’re fucked”. And constant begging for subscribers, hawking books or even slick “real” commercials. (OK, just venting,now.) And it’s become a move to almost all video, I subscribed for the writing and only Jack still consistently delivers above and beyond. Print and save and study.
Been cancelling even, wish I could get the balance refunded pro-rated and applied to the folks who still deliver.
Thank you for this life saving information Jack. I was in the medical field also. I’ve been around several people who panicked & froze because they didn’t know what to do. Being calm & focused is so important.
Great stuff Jack. I will study. Although it's maybe not directly relevant to this letter I want to share this link to a recent editorial in The Oregonian in hope that it will get amplified:
https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025/10/editorial-hello-world-an-open-letter-from-war-ravaged-portland.html?embedded_webview=true
Great article! Thanks for sharing. I love how the people in Oregon are handling it.
My husband had all of his teeth pulled out before we were married. One evening after we were married a few years, I made pork steaks for dinner. He was out on the patio eating his dinner when I heard his plate hit the ground and he was pounding on the side of the house. I never had any official training in CPR. Ever. I ran out of door and his lips were starting to turn blue. I pulled him up, turned him around and performed the Heimlich maneuver on instinct. I learned that procedure (or the basics of it) from... Mrs Doubtfire. So I know how to do that and chest compressions.
I have several health issues including severe anaphylaxis. I am allergic to a lot of shit. Mostly meds and environmentals, but laundry detergents, especially the cheap brands are the worst. I have went to the ER more time than I am comfortable with because of a simple hug.
There is a new nasal spray that replaces the EpiPen. Kind of like Narcan. The shelf life is a lot longer than the EpiPen too. My Allergist told me that there is a 3 year shelf life on it. I haven't had to use it for an emergency in years. I am glad that I get early warning signs so I can take my backup Benedryl and Prednisone if I have it. My last allergist gave me refills when I needed them, which was rarely, but this new one is going to be a tough nut to crack on that one.
Great info Jack for the non medical person. Having worked in the cardiac unit in the hospital and in home health care as an RN where you are on your own if something happens except for panicked friend or family that might be there. This is stuff people should print and put on their frig. .
Thank you for this. I am an Eagle Scout and spent 15 years as an adult leader at all levels of Scouting. During that time, I noticed a few patterns. First, Scouts are taught age-appropriate first aid from the age of 6 up, and every time they turn around. The first requirement of every merit badge for a physical activity is basically “how can you get hurt doing this and what do you do about it?” Another major pattern is that in first aid, the three main goals are to stop the bleeding, restart the breathing, and treat for shock, in that order every time. After that, you can look for other things that need doing. The final pattern for today is that when you know something about what to do, you do that, and you don’t panic. I’ve seen it happen in real life in situations both minor and very major, and when the actors are your Scouts, it’s fulfilling, too.
I think we nurses learn to be calm so we don’t scare the patients! But when I think of what I can offer, first aid is definitely one thing. I also have tons of linen-towels and sheets-and can stop bleeding and bandage. When it comes to Heimlich, I would have to tell a stronger person how to do it. Still considering doing a census of our block to see who has what skills and equipment. Thanks for all the info. You’re the best!👹