HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY FIRST AID SQUAD URGES SAFETY DURING WINTER STORM

-Residents advised to stay indoors-

The volunteers of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad are busy preparing for a potentially historic snowstorm. Meteorologists are forecasting as much as two feet of snow over the next 36 hours, with heavier amounts possible locally. The height of the storm will see intense blizzard conditions, with strong winds and heavy snowfall that will reduce visibility to zero.

“We urge all Huntington residents to exercise extra caution during this dangerous storm,” said Chief Thomas Lemp. “Please do not venture outdoors during the height of the blizzard, and please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you have an emergency. Be sure not to over-exert yourself while clearing snow, and take steps to protect against frostbite.”

HCFAS volunteers are busy preparing their equipment and headquarters for the storm. Extra crews will be on duty for the duration of the storm, and sleeping quarters have been readied in the event that volunteers are unable to safely drive home at the end of their shifts.

The Huntington Community First Aid Squad reminds the public to follow these safety tips when clearing snow:

Give yourself a break. Take frequent rest breaks during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.

Don’t eat a heavy meal prior or soon after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart.

Use a small shovel or consider a snow thrower. The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure acutely during the lift. It is safer to lift smaller amounts more times, than to lug a few huge shovelfuls of snow. When possible, simply push the snow.

Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

 Don’t drink alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may increase a person’s sensation of warmth and may cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under in the cold.

Consult a doctor. If you have a medical condition, don’t exercise on a regular basis, or are middle aged or older, meet with your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall.

Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia. To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers of warm clothing, which traps air between layers forming a protective insulation. Wear a hat because much of your body’s heat can be lost through your head.   

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can indicate a heart attack is happening: 

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. 

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. 

Shortness of breath. Can occur with or without chest discomfort. 

Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. 

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive on scene — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car, and they are trained to revive patients whose hearts have stopped. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room. If you can’t access EMS, have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you’re the one having symptoms, do not drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.

About Huntington Community First Aid Squad: Huntington Community First Aid Squad provides Advanced Life Support Ambulances and Emergency Medical Services to residents within the town of Huntington since 1967. All-volunteer crews are ready to go 24/7, 365 days a year, to answer the call from neighbors in need. The Huntington Community Ambulance District covers an area from Lloyd Harbor and Lloyd Neck in the North – to Melville in the South and from the Nassau/Suffolk border and Cold Spring Harbor in the West – to Greenlawn and Dix Hills in the East. Over 280 volunteer members responded to more than 5,600 calls in 2013.